Shemini Shel Pesach
𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Shemini Shel Pesach Eighth Day of Passover — פֶּסַח ח׳
𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞: Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17
𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: In between instructions for giving tithes and the three major pilgrimage feast Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot is the Sabbatical Year which I find amazing. The Sabbatical year happened in Israel every 7-years and during this year the land rested, debts were released so there would be no permanent poor among the Israelites and the enslaved were freed. The enslaved were supposed to be freed in the 7th year so no Israelite would remain enslaved forever. As we read this week’s Torah portion in light of Passover we realize that The Almighty wanted the newly freed Israelites to know how to live free. The Almighty wanted the newly freed Israelites to know and understand how to not only be free but how to live free. This portion and the commandments within it were designed to ensure that the newly freed Israelites would create a nation where no one was permanently stuck in slavery and indignity.
This week’s Torah portion begins with commandments about tithes, how to give and how to handle your money. Giving and financial independence are for the free and not something the enslaved could practice. A year of rest is for the free not the enslaved. Finally we read about The Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot in this portion celebrations of freedom and The Almighty’s protection and provision of The newly freed Israelites during the Exodus and in the wilderness. The Holy Day commandments remind the newly freed Israelites that their freedom was holy and something The Almighty never wanted them to forget. In this week’s Torah portion we read commandments that are designed to teach the formerly enslaved how to live permanently free. The Almighty’s will is that we would live free and that we would create a society in which no one is ever permanently trapped in the bondage of injustice. In this week’s Torah portion we read commandments for freedom. Remember it is The Almighty’s will that we live in freedom, that we celebrate freedom and that we ensure that others experience freedom.
On the EIGHTH DAY OF PASSOVER we are reminded of the special connection between this day and the Future Redemption which is reflected in the Haftorah reading from the Prophets for this day Isaiah 10:32-12:6. This passage reminds us that ultimately the exile will end, the scattered will be ingathered and freedom is coming!
Next Year Zion!
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞: Passover Resources Blog: https://propheticwhirlwind.com/passover-resources/
Let’s read this week’s Torah Portion!
𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: What have you learned about freedom while celebrating Passover this week?