Cities of Refuge: Finding Safety in God's Redemption This week sees a double portion: Parashot Mattot and Masei. They span Num. 30:2-36:13. Masei concludes Israel's wilderness journey with one of the Torah's most profound legal institutions: the Cities of Refuge (עָרֵי מִּקְלָט/Arei Miklat)--seen in Num. 35:9-34. At first glance, these cities appear to be a practical judicial solution for cases of accidental manslaughter. Yet, when viewed through a Messianic Jewish lens, they

"Zeal for Holiness and the Covenant of Shalom" This week's Torah portion is titled, "Pinchas", and spans Num. 25:10-30:1. It begins immediately after one of the darkest moments in Israel's wilderness journey. The nation that had witnessed the miracles of the Exodus, received the Torah at Sinai, and experienced God's daily provision was suddenly brought to the brink of destruction—not by a foreign army, but by compromise from within. The events at Ba'al Pe'or remind us that th

"Blood for Blood" This week contains a double-portion reading: Parashat Chukat/חֻקַּת ("Statute") and Parashat Balak/בָּלָק--covered in. The subject matter between these readings is extensive, prophetically rich, and mysterious. Remember from our prior Living Stones class on Torah, "Chukim" (s. Chok) are commandments for which human logic offers no rationale. Their purpose is known only to God, and the people are simply expected to obey. This premise is very challenging to th

"Korach's Rebellion: Unbelief and the Rejection of God-Appointed Leadership" This week's Torah portion is titled, "Korach", and is found in Num. 16:1-18:32. The narrative opens with the telling of Korach's rebellion against Moses. This did not suddenly emerge from a vacuum. It was the direct aftermath of one of Israel's greatest spiritual failures—the rejection of God's promise concerning the Land of Canaan. Just one chapter earlier, ten of the twelve spies returned from the

"A Seeing Faith: A Matter of Inheritance vs. Endless Wandering" This week's Torah portion is titled Sh'lach, meaning, "Send out." It refers to the command to send out spies to investigate the Land of Promise. Joshua and Caleb stand in stark contrast to the other ten spies because they saw the same facts but interpreted them through the promises of God. All twelve men witnessed the fortified cities, the powerful inhabitants, and the challenges t

This week's Torah portion is It's found in Num. 8:1-12:16. The title refers directly to the setting up of the seven-branch menorah, also known as the "eternal light." It goes without saying that light is required to see, and on a spiritual level, this is an extremely important principle. In this Torah reading, we would be remiss to not discuss the "vision" that God gives to the prophet (Num. 12:6), mentioned at the very end of the reading. The Hebrew root רָאָה/ra'ah (to see)

This week's Torah portion is titled "Nasso", meaning "take". It spans Numbers 4:21-7:89. The text continues the census process that began in the first section of Numbers, and covers a great deal of subjects. The focus seems to continually circle back to cleanness and purity before God--speaking directly to both the challenges of our fallen condition, and the expectations required by a holy God. One particular section discusses repentance and restitution when a person has sinn