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Audio & Notes for Parashat Bemidbar

Parashat Bemidbar 1:1-4:20 - Haftarah Reading: Hosea 2:1-22

Note: Audio coming soon.

I. Introduction

A. Shavuot Foundations - Mount Sinai & Mount Moriah

1. The Revelation at Mount Sinai
2. The Revelation at Mount Moriah

B. Review: The counting of the omer and 'Cheshbon Nefesh'

1. Barley and wheat
2. Though the Bible records many instances of Yeshua instantly healing people's illnesses, we know of not even one instance in which he simply waved his hand to immediately fix an ugly habit for one of his disciples
3. The essence of the Scriptures revolves around the principle of one's relationship with God and others - Mt 22:34-40
4. Insanely great or just good enough?
5. Jubilee FREEDOM or paralysis by analysis?              

C. Parashah Abbreviated Outline

1. In the Sinai Desert, G-d says to conduct a census of the twelve tribes of Israel. Moses counts 603,550 men of draftable age (20 to 60 years); the tribe of Levi, numbering 22,300 males age one month and older, is counted separately. The Levites are to serve in the Sanctuary, replacing the firstborn, whose number they approximated, who were disqualified when they participated in the worshipping of the Golden Calf. The 273 firstborn who lacked a Levite to replace them had to pay a five-shekel "ransom" to redeem themselves.
2. When the people broke camp, the three Levite clans dismantled and transported the Sanctuary, and reassembled it at the center of the next encampment. They then erected their own tents around it: the Kehatites, who carried the Sanctuary's vessels (the ark, menorah, etc.) in their specially designed coverings on their shoulders, camped to its south; the Gershonites, in charge of its tapestries and roof coverings, to its west; and the families of Merrari, who transported its wall panels and pillars, to its north. Before the Sanctuary's entranceway to its east were the tents of Moses, Aaron and Aaron's sons.
3. Beyond the Levite circle, the twelve tribes camped in four groups of three tribes each. To the east were Judah (pop. 74,600), Issachar (54,400) and Zebulun (57,400); to the south, Reuben (46,500), Simeon (59,300) and Gad (45,650); to the west, Ephraim (40,500), Menasseh (32,200) and Benjamin (35,400); and to the north, Dan (62,700), Asher (41,500) and Naphtali (53,400). This formation was kept also while traveling. Each tribe had its own nassi (prince or leader), and its own flag with its tribal color and emblem.

D. The fundamental message of Shavuot is the notion of Divine cooperation is needed for a successful harvest - for godliness and for this life - cp II Peter 1:3 - 4

III Shavuot Foundations - Mount Sinai & Mount Moriah

A. Shavuot and this week's Parashah

1. One year anniversaries
2. The Journey is just beginning.

B. The Revelation at Mount Sinai - Shemot (Ex) 19-20

1. Empowered to serve God through His loving instructions Psalms 19; 119; Proverbs 3: 5-6
2. Called to be a royal priesthood - Shemot 19:5-6; I Peter 2:4-10 [Even HaShetiyah]
3. The ketubbah between God and His people

C. The Revelation at Mount Moriah - Acts 2:1-21

1. ‘Cheshbon nefesh' for Yeshua's talmidim - Acts 1:1-4
2. Empowered by the Ruach to proclaim the Word -Acts 1:7
3. Mount Sinai parallels

D. Shavuot Traditions - See Torah Fax

III. Conclusion

A. 'Cheshbon Nefesh' - Barley and wheat

B. Divine cooperation is needed to produce a successful harvest

C. Empowered by the Word & empowered by the Ruach