Parsha Pekudei & Introduction to upcoming Leviticus Topics

[Amos]

Parsha: Pekudei
Exodus 38: 21-40:38
Haftarah: 1 Kings 7: 40-50

Please enjoy the Audio MP3 Discussion of the weekly Parsha by Rabban. Amos Yishai, Kohen & IMCF Elder:

http://www.bripodcasts.com/WeeklyParsha2013-14/Pekudei2014.MP3

In this Parsha, the artefacts and offerings for the erection of the Tent of Meeting (and later the 1st and 2nd Temples ) are completed as is the Book of Exodus. As we enter the Book of Leviticus we begin to learn about the sacred initiation rites over the next few weeks of Parsha readings, amongst other fascinating subjects.

At the close of this Parsha though, the Shekinah or Presence of the Lord settled upon the Tent of Meeting and Tabernacle and for the first time in known history, the metaphysical settled and found residency in a physical copy of a Heavenly Temple. Notably, it was one that sojourned and was designed to travel, much like the New Jerusalem:  


"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the Tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels."
-Exodus 40:34-38

The Parsha and Haftarah readings are very short (two chapters) because they are generally read together with last week's Parsha and Haftarah, but this year is an exception. So instead of a Parsha discussion and topic (which was discussed last week), it would be of benefit to students to revisit their own understanding of a number of issues pertinent to the faith and which will be discussed, and compared and contrasted in upcoming Parshot.

The relevant questions and topics raised throughout Leviticus:

1: Is the Kingdom already here?

2: The centrality of Baptism (Immersion): Faith, Facts and Dogmas

3: Initiation and Sacred Space: Are individual human beings a "sacred space"?

4: Spirituality & Observance: How to reconcile the metaphysical with the physical

5: Are the Kashrut (clean and unclean) and purity-orientated Commandments of the Torah:
A) a survival guide for the wilderness?
B) meant to create a state of psychological cleansing, cleanliness and conscience in human beings?
C) to ensure the degrading physical infirmities of human beings don't come near to a sacred space?
D) all of the above

6: Morality and Ethics

7: Sacrifice

Yes, they are all big topics but central to the faith. I hope over the next few months students will find them of interest, and indeed-interact and share their thoughts, beliefs, objections and conjectures too. We are entering the Season of Our Lord (Passover) so sacrifice and Resurrection will be a central topic also; however, the dynamic and multidimensional aspects of that sacrifice and Resurrection can also be found within discussion of the key areas for analysis mentioned above.

I look forward to more interaction on these aspects of our Faith.


The Brief Discussion Topic can also be accessed weekly on the Messianic Believers page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Messianic-Believers/343487088997012?ref=hl


If you wish to register to obtain the Parsha Lectures and the Plethora of Biblical Study by Dr. Les-Aaron Gosling, Rebbe, as well as enjoy the benefits of the Members Discussion Forum, Please contact the IMCF Admin to register at Info@biblicalresearchinstitute.com.au found on the home page. Shalom