Numbers-Chapter-15
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Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL
YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
Question: Have the rabbis of the past and today, really upheld this
commandment? Sadly, the answer is No, they have not, as they made
countless erroneous alterations in our beloved Tanakh!
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven
Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Numbers Chapter 15 provides laws regarding
sacrifices in the
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Let us read Numbers Chapter 15, verses 1-41: Below the verses are the Explanation’s. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
Verses 1-16: “And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye are come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you, and will make an offering by fire unto יְהוָה - the LORD, a burnt-offering, or a sacrifice, in fulfilment of a vow clearly uttered, or as a freewill-offering, or in your appointed seasons, to make a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock; then shall he that bringeth his offering present unto יְהוָה - the LORD a meal-offering of a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin of oil; and wine for the drink-offering, the fourth part of a hin, shalt thou prepare with the burnt-offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb. Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meal-offering two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with the third part of a hin of oil; and for the drink-offering thou shalt present the third part of a hin of wine, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD. And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt-offering, or for a sacrifice, in fulfilment of a vow clearly uttered, or for peace-offerings unto יְהוָה - the LORD; then shall there be presented with the bullock a meal-offering of three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with half a hin of oil. And thou shalt present for the drink-offering half a hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD. Thus shall it be done for each bullock, or for each ram, or for each of the he-lambs, or of the kids. According to the number that ye may prepare, so shall ye do for every one according to their number. All that are home-born shall do these things after this manner, in presenting an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD. And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever may be among you, throughout your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do. As for the congregation, there shall be one statute both for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you, a statute for ever throughout your generations; as ye are, so shall the stranger be before יְהוָה - the LORD. One law and one ordinance shall be both for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you’.
Explanation Verses 1-16: Detailed guidelines for meal and drink offerings that accompany animal sacrifices are provided. It highlights the equality of laws for both native-born residents and strangers residing in the land.
Verses 17-21: And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When ye come into the land whither I bring you, then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall set apart a portion for a gift unto יְהוָה - the LORD. Of the first of your dough ye shall set apart a cake for a gift; as that which is set apart of the threshing-floor, so shall ye set it apart. Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto יְהוָה - the LORD a portion for a gift throughout your generations.
Explanation Verses 17-21: The “Challah” law requires setting aside a portion of dough as a sacred offering. This practice serves as a direct acknowledgement that all sustenance is provided through Divine blessing.
Verses 22-26: And when ye shall err, and not observe all these commandments,
which יְהוָה - the LORD hath
spoken unto Moses, even all that יְהוָה - the LORD hath
commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that יְהוָה - the LORD gave
commandment, and onward throughout your generations; then
it shall be, if it be done in error by the congregation, it being hid from
their eyes, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a
burnt-offering, for a sweet savour unto יְהוָה - the LORD with the
meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof, according to the
ordinance and one he-goat for a sin-offering. And the
priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of
Explanation Verses 22-26: Procedures for atonement when the community inadvertently fails to observe a commandment are detailed. A sacrifice is offered by the priest to ensure the entire congregation receives forgiveness.
Verses 27-29: And if one person sin through error, then he shall offer a she-goat of the first year for a sin-offering. And the priest shall make atonement for the soul that erreth, when he sinneth through error, before יְהוָה - the LORD, to make atonement for him; and he shall be forgiven, both he that is home-born among the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them: ye shall have one law for him that doeth aught in error.
Explanation Verses 27-29: The process for individual atonement for an unintentional sin is described, requiring a sacrifice for unintentional errors. This distinction highlights the Torah's recognition of human fallibility.
Verses 30-31: But the soul that doeth aught with a high hand, whether he be home-born or a stranger, the same blasphemeth יְהוָה - the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of יְהוָה - the LORD, and hath broken His commandment; that soul shall utterly be cut off, his iniquity shall be upon him’.
Explanation Verses 30-31: A firm, intentional violation, known as a “high-handed” sin, is described as an act of defiance against the Divine. These actions cannot be rectified through traditional sacrifices and result in bearing one’s own guilt.
Verses 32-36: And while the children of
Explanation Verses 32-36: A narrative account of a man gathering wood on the Sabbath illustrates a direct violation of the commandment. This event emphasizes the gravity of desecrating the Sabbath and the community’s responsibility to uphold it.
Verses 37-41: And יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto
Moses, saying: ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid
them that they make them throughout their generations fringes in the corners of
their garments, and that they put with the fringe of each corner a thread of
blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may
look upon it, and remember all the commandments of יְהוָה - the LORD, and do
them; and that ye go not about after your own heart and your own eyes, after
which ye use to go astray; that ye may remember and do all
My commandments, and be holy unto your אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. I am יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheichem, who brought
you out of the
Explanation Verses 37-41: The
commandment to place ‘Tzitzit’, or Fringes, on garments
is introduced to serve as a reminder. This act ensures that individuals focus
on following Divine commandments rather than their own desires.
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My Closing Message:
This chapter underscores that a nation’s path
is defined by both large actions and daily rituals. From the bread we consume
to the clothes we wear, these laws encourage integrating sanctity into everyday
life. It illustrates that recovery and growth require a firm commitment to
purpose and shared values.
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