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Weekly D'rash on Parshat Shmini

This week our Torah portion is about the installation of the priesthood and the seriousness of walking in holiness before God. It is appropriate for this time of year because we are at the beginning of the important season that we refer to as "Counting the Omer." This is the period between the offering of the early firstfruits and the offering of the latter firstfruits. According to Lev. 23:16, we count 50 days from the early spring harvest offering to the latter spring harvest offering. Shavuot marks the latter spring harvest offering.

The early spring harvest offering comes the day after the Sabbath (Lev. 23:15). According to the Sadducees, who controlled the Temple and the priesthood in the days of Yeshua, the early spring firstfruits offering was always on the day after the weekly Shabbat during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. After the destruction of the Temple, the day after the Sabbath was understood as the second day of Passover—which is how the Jewish community understands it today. Beginning on this day, and for 50 days following, a special grain offering was offered. An omer was a measure of grain. Today "Counting the Omer" refers to this 50-day period. It is a time of anticipation and reflection culminating on Shavuot.

According to Jewish tradition, it was on Shavuot that Moses received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Therefore, Jewish people today understand this to be a time of reenacting the exodus from Egypt (Passover) and moving forward to Mt. Sinai (Shavuot). We read in the Bible that during this season, the Jewish people were learning what it meant to have God as their King instead of Pharaoh. They were learning much about walking in the way of the Lord. When they arrived at Sinai, they had to be consecrated and prepared to meet with God at the mountain.

For Messiah followers, this is a holy period as well. Not only do we remember the move from Egypt to Sinai, but we also remember the second Exodus when Yeshua brought us from darkness to light. We remember the 50-day period from the resurrection of Yeshua on the Day of the Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim) to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on Shavuot. Our Haftarah portion contains the promise to David that his dynasty would last forever. Yeshua is the King of Israel who redeemed us from bondage. After the resurrection, Yeshua spent 40 days teaching his disciples. On day forty, he ascended to the right hand of the Father. Then, on day fifty, the Messianic King poured out the Ruach HaKodesh in an unprecedented measure. Be sure to read Acts 2 in its entirety on this topic. This event was the inauguration of the New Covenant Era. As a result, we who embrace Messiah Yeshua are now made holy and are cleansed by the Messiah via the indwelling Ruach HaKodesh.

However, this 50-day period is a rich opportunity for us to draw closer to God. I encourage you to read the Scriptures and to pray intentionally during this period. The UMJC has provided a prayer calendar for these weeks. (You can download it from umjc.org). This week’s prayer emphasis is a renewed passion for the Word of God throughout our Messianic Jewish community. This is also a wonderful time for intentional study. I encourage you to register for the live online MSI course called Living 2 Cor. 5:17 | In Messiah | New Creation taught by Henri Louis Goulet. You can register at mjsi.org. It begins on April 13.

Our Torah and Haftarah passages for this week remind us that our freedom from slavery was not a free-for-all! It means freedom to be a slave to God. Like our ancient ancestors, we are on a journey in which we continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to be under the kingship of the God of Israel. We continue to learn how to depend on God for our lives as we look forward to the final redemption. Unlike our ancestors, we have the firstfruits of the Spirit by whom we are connected to the resurrection of Yeshua. May our journey always be lived in the newness of life in Messiah!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard