Tonight Sundown is the start of the month of AV. Why do we celebrate the new moon or new Month? Why do we observe the Shabbat (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown)? Why do we celebrate the “Feasts of the Lord” as mentioned multiple times in the Torah (Bible)? Simple answer, is as HIS covenant people, we are commanded to do so.

In EX 31:13 (Shabbats (plural) are a sign/mark that distinguishes us to be HIS Holy Set Apart people.

Isa 66:22-23 When the Messiah returns, HE will continue with the Rosh Chodesh and Sabbath observances.

We are ending the book of Numbers “Bamidbar” with a double Parsha, Matot (Tribes) and Masei (Journeys), the fourth book of the Torah. The parashah is made up of 5,652 Hebrew letters, 1,484 Hebrew words, 112 verses. Parsha Masei has 5,773 Hebrew letters, 1,461 Hebrew words, 132 verses.

but the book that deals with the most crisis in the lives of the Jewish people. We had so many issues that befell the Jewish people. We had the spies, the complainers, the rebellions. The deaths of Miriam and Aaron were read in the book. We had Moshe hitting the rock instead of speaking to the rock. The Korak rebellion and the incidents with the Midianite women and the worship of the pagan idol.

Next week, we will start the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is a review of the entire Torah. What does it mean review? It means everything that the Jewish people learned the last 40 years from from the Exodus from Egypt all the way till they're about to enter into the land of Israel is going to be reviewed.

We have said that the Torah is not a book of stories or a history book. The book of the Torah is not just a book of laws. It's a book of life. It's called a Sefer Chayim “ Book of Life”. Torah tells us how to live life. So we have to look at every Torah portion with the lens with the understanding this is God instructing to us on how to live life, how to maximize life. Why, because Hashem wants to have a relationship with us, not a religion with us. The Torah, HIS instruction, to show you what HIS Heart is ……..to reveal HIS Essence to US ……so WE MAY know HIM better and if we look into the laws and the Commandments and the stories of events and learn how to interpret them to show us more about who God is ……..it'll change the way we live lifeis meant for us to know HIM….. through the things HE likes (positive commandments) and dislikes (negative commandments). He also has a special day to come together, weekly, monthly, annually, every 7 years, every 50 years.

Double Torah portion this week, Chukat (Statutes) Numb 19:1-22:1 and Balak,Numb 22:2-25:9

Parsha Chukat has 87 verses, 1,245 words and 4,670 letters

Parsha Balak has 104 verses, 1,455 words and 5,357 letters.

· The Red Heifer: Outlines the ritual of the Parah Adumah to purify those defiled by death

Torah moves to 38 years fast forward:

· Miriam’s Death & The Rock: Miriam dies, and the miraculous well dries up. Moses strikes a rock for water instead of speaking to it, barring him and Aaron from entering Israel.

· Aaron’s Death: Aaron dies on Mount Hor, and his son Eleazar becomes High Priest.

· The Copper Serpent: To cure a plague of venomous snakes, Moses builds a bronze serpent on a pole.

· Military Victories: Israel defeats Sihon the Amorite and Og of Bashan, conquering East Jordan.

Parsha Balak (Numbers 22:2–25:9)

Balak shifts focus entirely to external enemies trying to destroy Israel through curses and seduction.

· Balak’s Fear: King Balak of Moab fears Israel and hires Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet, to curse them.

· The Talking Donkey: Balaam’s donkey sees an angel blocking the path, speaks to Balaam, and saves his life.

· Curses Turned to Blessings: Balaam tries to curse Israel three times, but God forces him to utter beautiful blessings instead (including Mah Tovu).

· The Sin of Baal-Peor: Foiled by prophecy, Midianite and Moabite women seduce Israeli men into idolatry. A plague breaks out, halted only when Phinehas takes decisive action.