Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 17 Sivan, 5783

Today’s portion (as I shared a year ago) is one of my favorites.  Because growing up Jewish, I never knew.  I didn’t learn until my late 20s.  That the Torah talks about a SECOND passover.

You see, growing up Jewish, I always thought I was one mistake away from Hashem’s cosmic hammer of justice slamming down on me, crushing me, and convincing me I am just a horrible person.  I am not doing any of the mitzvahs.  I am just doing whatever I want.  And – that is NOT good for a relationship, it’s what I was doing as a kid.

Then I realized.  That’s not who Hashem is.  He is love. He is kind. He is compassionate.  He provided an opportunity for those in the camp who were “ritually impure” and could not celebrate Passover an opportunity here to celebrate it.  Instead of “why didn’t you plan better?” Or “Why weren’t you EXTRA careful?” We are met with “I see you – and – I want you to have the opportunity to connect with me. So – here’s another chance!”

That is love.

And it is IMMEDITATELY connected by Hashem to the idea of converts in Judaism.  Converts to Judaism get the opportunity as well.

This was not the Judaism I grew up with.

What are your thoughts?

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 15 Sivan, 5782

Good morning! Today is one of my favorite portions in all of Torah. When I read this the first time it really blew my mind over Hashem’s love, compassion, and empathy. And it was right there is the Torah; a book that we normally associate with God’s judgment.

We also see where the mitzvahs of ritual impurity DID impact the people. Because Hashem asked the people to come to the tabernacle three times a year. And Passover was a major one of these days.

Todays portion starts out with the importance of Passover. The Torah says we should make the Passover in its appointed time on the afternoon of the fourteenth of the first month. It should happen even if it coincides with the Sabbath and even if the majority of the people or the priests are in a state of ritual impurity.

And then we see, Moses tells the people to do, and they do it.

But. Hold up. We discover there were men who were ritually impure! It was because they came into contact with a dead person. They approached Moses distraught.

“Why should we be the losers? We’ve been prevented from offering God’s sacrifice in its appointed time, with all the children of Israel.”

Why should we be the losers? Talk about negative and critical self talk.

Let’s stop for a moment. When it comes to God, how often do we think we are losers in God’s eyes because we fall short? Because we’ve done something ”wrong?” Because we see ourselves as impure?

I don’t know about you, but I can certainly relate. And let’s see what Moses says:

“Moses said to them; ‘Wait, and I will hear what God instructs concerning you!”

So Moses tells them to be patient, and he will talk to God. And how does God respond?

“Sucks to be them!”

No. That’s not how Hashem responds. At. All.

God tells Moses to be merciful – those who can’t make the Passover because they are far away or unclean? They should do it a month later.

With a caveat. If you CAN make the Passover and don’t? That’s a problem that will require being cut off. Their soul will be cut off.

And here’s the even MORE amazing part. Good tells Moses, converts are cool!

“If a convert lives with you, and he makes a Passover for God, he should make it in accordance with the laws of preparation of the Passover and its accompanying laws.”

So. God has basically told Moses, converts can celebrate the Passover!!!

To me, todays portion is full of Grace and mercy. Hashem has established Mitzvahs for us to connect with Him. And – if things happen where we are disconnected (especially unintentionally); he provides work arounds to be back in relationship with Him.

And; if we aren’t born Jewish? We can convert and be treated as a Jew. And have the same responsibility as other Jews. There is no distinction between the gentile and the Jew when it comes to the mitzvahs.

For my Christian friends; how does today’s passage synthesize with your understanding of the God of the Old Testament?

What are your thoughts?