Day#7: Leviticus 24:1-23 (Study Notes)
Parsha: Emor
Day#7: Leviticus 24:1-23
(Study Notes)
The connection between Sukkot and HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s own Tabernacle is made in the opening verses to day numbers seven’s Parsha portion.
(Leviticus 24:1-4)
In these verses, HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates to Moshe Rabbeinu that all children of Israel are to bring to Moshe Rabbeinu (or the Priest) “clear oil of beaten olives for lighting and kindling lamps regularly.”
These lamps of which HaKadosh Baruch Hu speaks of are the seven lamps that are lit on the single menorah in the Tabernacle (or Temple when is stood and will again stand—may it be speedily in our days!)
HaKadosh Baruch Hu relays through Moshe Rabbeinu that Aaron (or the High Priest) shall set up the lamps in the Tent of Meeting. These lamps on the one stand are to be set in their fixed place: outside the curtain that separates the Holy of Holies from the inner Tabernacle/Holy precinct. This is the same area of the inner Tabernacle where the Aromatic Altar has its fixed place as does the table for the showbread (as we will see below).
These lamps, like the burnt offering altar, are to remain lit from evening to morning—they are never to go out as they stay before the LORD. This continuous burning of the lamps is a law for all time, from generation to generation.
(Leviticus 24:4)
HaKadosh Baruch Hu reiterates to Moshe Rabbeinu that these lamps (plural) are to be set on a single pure lamp stand. From Exodus 31:8, we can understand that the lamp stand is to of “pure gold”. The precise design details are provided by HaKadosh Baruch Hu in Exodus 25:31-40.
In Zechariah 4:2-7 and 10-14, we can learn about such a lamp stand as well. The menorah described in Zechariah has seven lamps with seven pipes. A golden bowl sits above the lamps and two olive branches stand one on either side of the menorah. The two olive trees are the two anointed dignitaries (the Davidic king and priest), who will feed their oil into the lamp.
In our studies of Leviticus thus far, we have learned about the literal feeding oil into the fires of the burnt altar through the oil-soaked cakes of the priests’ meal offerings. In Ezekiel’s description of the third temple (Ezekiel 40-47), the final Davidic king will offer his meal offerings in the same manner—the excess oil from these two parties’ offerings not only keep the fires of HaKadosh Baruch Hu ablaze, but the excess oil also ensures there is enough oil that can turn to smoke when the grain sin offerings of the poor are mixed in.
In a more spiritual sense, oil can be understood as holy wisdom that allows a Jew to shine with HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s holy wisdom. In the days of moshiach, the King of Heaven (HaKadosh Baruch Hu) will teach all of His wisdom, and the prince (the earthly Davidic King) will help teach the wisdom of HaKadosh Baruch Hu to the world. The priesthood, as we have learned and discussed previously, guides the Jewish people in law-abiding. We know that by keeping Torah, everyone can have life. The priesthood provides the spiritual guidance (ie oil) to keep lit the lamps that guide our feet along paths of righteousness.
The seven candles themselves are equated to seven eyes or spirits of HaKadosh Baruch Hu that see throughout all of the earth—these spirits are best understood as the angels of HaKadosh Baruch Hu that watch over, protect and guide every Jewish person as well to do HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s will on earth. We pray about 4 of these divine presences every night in the bedtime Shema: Gabriel, Raphael, Michael, Uriel—the presence of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, which we pray stays above us at all times, is like the golden bowl that stands above the menorah in Zechariah.
Just as the angels cannot be “put out”—they are not like man, they cannot die—so too, the candles of the Temple menorah are not to be put out either. When the Temple menorah does go out (ie when the Temple lays in ruins) it is a sign that HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s physical presence is removed from earth. He retreats back to the heavenly realms. But, one day (prayerfully soon) the Third (and final) Temple will be rebuilt.
In that day, HaKadosh Baruch Hu will return to His place in the Holy of Holies. His light will rise upon all the earth in such radiant glory that it will be as if the sun were removed from a sheath—there will be no more darkness—the presence of continuous light will be the physical manifestation of the proof of the universal end to evil. At that time, the lamps in the Tent will reignite, never to be put out as well.
At that time, the light of Torah will spread out from Jerusalem and cover the globe as water covers the sea. Every human on earth will see, know, and willingly serve HaKadosh Baruch Hu as LORD, King, and only God.
(Leviticus 23:5-9)
After providing an overview of the laws for the menorah, HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates to Moshe Rabbeinu the laws, rules, and regulations for the showbread.
HaKadosh Baruch Hu declares that the showbread is to be baked into 12 loaves from choice flour. Each loaf is to contain 2/10th a measure of flour. This 2/10th measure is the same measure of flour that is used for the loaves offered on Shavuot, which we learned about earlier in this Parsha (Leviticus 23:15-21), as well as for the grain offer every Shabbat. This is not the same 1/10th measure that is brought as a poor man’s sin offering nor is it the same 3/10th offering brought for leprosy cleansing—this 2/10th measure is specific.
Each of the 12 loaves has the same 2/10th measure—note it does not reduce the fraction to 1/5th measure.
The number 2 seems significant. When you multiply the 2 firstfruit loaves of Shavuot (which represent the Jewish people —HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s firstfruit (Jeremiah 2:9), by 6, we get 12: the total number of Jewish Tribes (sons of Yaakov Avinu).
When we consider the number 2 in relation to the Jewish people and our history, something very striking appears:
Seth was the 2nd born righteous son to Havah and Adam.
Seth birthed Noah, the 2nd most righteous after Enoch.
From Noah, Shem and his descendants were 2nd to Ham and his descendants to be given the promised land.
The promise was passed to Avraham Avinu’s 2nd child: Yitzchak Avinu.
Then to Yitzchak Avinu’s 2nd son, Yaakov Avinu.
Then to the 12 Tribes from 2 mothers and 2 concubines from Mitzrayim.
So, 6 events x 2, also makes 12.
On the 2nd day of creation, HaKadosh Baruch Hu separated the waters from from waters—just as He separated out His people, who will drink the waters above in heaven—of the “Fountain of Life”: Torah, from those who will only drink the waters below heaven.
This 2nd position is seems a fulfillment throughout history that the older would serve the younger—the 2nd would be made the head, while the 1st becomes the tail.
HaKadosh Baruch Hu commands that The 12 loaves are to be placed in to 2 rows on the “pure table.” Like the “pure lampstand,” the pure table is to be crafted of pure gold (see Exodus 25:23-30). We also learn that the 12 loaves are also called “the bread of display.” Display of what?
Since the table with the two rows sits directly across the lamp of HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s 7 flaming eyes, it is as if we are to understand the connection to the promises made to Avraham Avinu in Genesis 15.
These two rows of bread are like the isle of pieces through which only the pillar of HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s fire walked in Genesis 15. Thus, instead of the people of Israel becoming like pieces (because we cannot keep our vows), the bread and the animal sacrifices became the “ram in the bush” on our behalf. HaKadosh Baruch Hu remains the consuming fire. But instead of consuming His beloved Jews with His fire, He consumes our meal, grain, and animal sacrifice in our stead.
(Leviticus 24:7)
Speaking of grain offerings, each of the 2 rows of bread is to contain pure frankincense, which will be used for the Token Portion. Previously we learned that the Token Portion is to be taken from the meal of the choice flour when it is brought as an offering by fire to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. (Leviticus 2).
From our studies of Leviticus chapter 2:2, we can also understand that the Token Portion taken from the choice flour (before it is baked) is to contain all of the frankincense and oil. The token portion is taken from every meal offering.
These Token Portions are then turned into smoke as a pleasing aroma to HaKadosh Baruch Hu on the burnt offering altar.
(Leviticus 24:8)
HaKadosh Baruch Hu communicates that the 12 loaves are to be arranged on the table of pure gold every Shabbat. This arrangement is called “a commitment for all time on the part of Israel.” Furthermore, the table upon which these loaves are to be arranged sits directly across from the lamp with the 7 eyes of HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Since the 12 loaves represent the 12 Tribes of Israel, this arrangement represents the commitment of Jews to sit before HaKadosh Baruch Hu, in His presence, and rest every Shabbat. Indeed, Shabbat like the Torah has only been given to the Jewish people. The special arrangement for the special day signifies the magnitude of the commitment.
(Leviticus 24:9)
Beyond being a representation of the 12 Tribes, the 12 loaves are a gift to Aaron and his sons for all time. This means, the 12 loaves are a gift for all priests in every generation. Just as the priests are Hashem’s special portion from the 12 Tribes, so the loaves are the special gift to the priests.
This bread is to be consumed by the priests in the Holy Precinct. Furthermore, these 12 loaves are baked from the Holy Portion that remains from the meal offering from which the Token Portion is removed. So, this bread is considered “the most holy” from the LORD’s offerings by fire. As such, the loaves are the holy due for the holy priests for all time.
This gift is an eternal covenant—it is a fixed practice like the fixed Holy Days. Though the Temple does not now stand, one day (prayerfully soon) it will be restored. At that time, these gifts will be restored to the priests, just as all stolen and destroyed things of the Jews will be returned and restored as well.
(Leviticus 24:10-12)
After discussing these most Holy Days and Most Holy gifts, the narrative takes a seemingly drastic turn to a fight that breaks out in the Israelite camp.
The fight occurs between a full-blooded Israeli and an Israeli who has a Jewish mother and an Egyptian father. We told the Jewish mother’s name was Shelomith, daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.
The son of this Jewish woman winds up pronouncing the name of HaKadosh Baruch Hu while fighting with the full-blooded Israeli.
The incident is told to Moshe Rabbeinu and the boy is separated until Moshe Rabbeinu delivers the verdict and punishment.
(Leviticus 24:13-14)
The son of the named Jewish woman is pronounced guilty of blasphemy and his stated consequence was “death by stoning.”
This seems an abrupt shift from the conversations and topics we learned about in the rest of this parsha. But, what is clear is that there is one law for all. Whether full blooded Jewish Israeli, half blooded Jewish Israeli, or a ger—a converted Jewish Israeli—HaKadosh Baruch Hu sees everyone as the same.
Previously HaKadosh Baruch Hu also states that His One Law holds for the foreigners as well. Though the punishment above is severe, such an incident should give us all a healthy, reverential fear of HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
The One G-d has One Law—the Torah. One Day, all nations will be brought to the valley of Jehoshaphat and they will be judged by how they treated the One Chosen People of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the Jews, and the One Chosen Nation of HaKadosh Baruch Hu , Israel.
After that day, HaKadosh Baruch Hu will act in such a manner that will cause every eye, heart, mind and soul to turn to Him. All will eventually come to willingly choose to live according to the One Law that HaKadosh Baruch Hu has laid out in Torah.
(Leviticus 24:17-21)
As a follow up to the above narrative, HaKadosh Baruch Hu makes clear that the consequence for killing a human is death.
The consequences for killing an animal is restitution, life for life.
And the consequences for maiming a fellow Jew (or human) is eye-for-eye, tooth-for-tooth, fracture-for-fracture, maiming-For-maiming.
Meaning just as you harmed another, so you will be likewise harmed. These consequences are then repeated, denoting the seriousness of such actions and the unwavering consequences set forth by HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
(Leviticus 24:22)
HaKadosh Baruch Hu ends this parsha study by repeating that the is One Law is for the ger and the native born Jewish Israelite alike. In His eyes, we are all One people, serving Him, the One God. As such we all live by One Law, which is to shine the One Light of the One Truth to the entire globe. So may we all have a healthy dose of reverential fear of HaKadosh Baruch Hu —for as it states in Proverbs, such healthy reverential fear (utmost respect) is the beginning of all wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7).
Am Yisrael Chai!
Kimberly Davis