VaYikra

(Shabbat Zachor)

Lev. 1:1 - 5:26

This Shabbat, the Shabbat prior to Purim is called “Shabbat Zachor”, meaning the Shabbat of Remembrance. Traditionally in addition to the regular Torah portion for the week, Deut. 25:17-18 is read as well as 1 Samuel 15. The Deuteronomy passage is the first instance of the Jewish people as a nation being persecuted, in this case it was the Amalekites. The 1 Samuel passage narrates the episode in the life of Saul when God commanded him to destroy the Amalekites for what they had done to Israel (and of course the less than perfect fulfillment of this command by Saul.) Why does God command us in the Torah to never forget what the Amalekites had done? Why not “forgive and forget”? Many reasons are given. Perhaps one reason is that by remembering the great difficulties of our people, we are sensitized to human suffering and are reminded to do something about it. The Torah commands us to remember the poor and suffering because there was a time when we were aliens and sojourners in Egypt . So too here, by remembering the harsh treatment that our people have received at the hands of the nations, we should be passionate to come to the aid of others who suffer. This is one of the reasons why Jewish people have always been involved in social issues such as the civil rights movement of the 1960’s as well as issues related to persecution of around the world. The concept of remembering does not mean simply “recalling” an event. It means actively remembering. It means getting involved.

As believers, we are called to get involved in changing the world for the glory of God. We are called to be proactive in the issue spiritual renewal. We are called to be passionate for the gospel. One of the great motivating factors is remembering how we were at one times hostile toward God and that He took the initiative to send the Messiah to die for our sins and be raised for our sins. Our Torah portion this week serves as a great reminder of the great cost of sin. We read about the various types of sacrifices and all of the animals that died so that the people of Israel could live. Our sins cost the lives of many animals. However, that pales in comparison to the ultimate cost for our sins - the death of Yeshua. At the last Seder of Yeshua, he said to drink the third cup in remembrance of him. He wants us to remember Him, not only at the Seder but always. As I said, the remembrance of His sacrificial death should cause us to passionate for the gospel. However, it should also motive us in several other areas. We should have a passion to pray. If there is one thing that God loves for us to do it is to pray. We should have a passion to live godly disciplined lives. This also pleases God. Finally, Messiah’s sacrificial, atoning death should give us a passion to love our fellow man. As the famous verse says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16). As we may know, Messiah’s death paved a way for a restored relationship with God. Therefore we should passionate for good relationships.

This Sunday evening Beth Messiah will celebrate Purim with the reading of the Book of Esther and with a festive celebration. As we listen once again to the story of the desire for the destruction of Israel by her enemies (Haman is a descendant of the Amalekites) - and the victory that God provided, may we be stirred to action. May we develop a passion for the gospel and a passion for good relationships. May we always remember what god has done for us. May we never forget. Shabbat shalom!