Shemini: Eighth — שמיני

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Leviticus 6-8
This portion continues to detail Israel’s sacrificial system. At the center of sacrifice, is the altar of sacrifice.  In the bible, the altar was the place for meeting and worshiping God. The first altar recorded in the Hebrew Bible is that erected by Noah (Genesis 8:20). Altars were erected by Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 13:4; 22:9), by Isaac (Genesis 26:25), by Jacob (33:20; 35:1-3), and by Moses (Exodus 17:15). After the theophany on biblical Mount Sinai, in the Tabernacle–and afterwards in the Temple–only two altars are mentioned: the Altar of Burnt Offering, and the Altar of Incense.

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Ancient Home Altar
In addition to the altars erected by the patriarchs and with the Tabernacle and Temple, the threshold of the home was also considered anciently as an altar where the father of the home entered into covenant with the deity that he recognized as his god.  Clay Trumball writes in his book, The Threshold Covenant, “Man’s first dwelling-place was the cave, or the tent, or the hut, in which he made a home with his family. The threshold and hearth of that dwelling-place was the boundary of his earthly possessions. It was the sacred border or limit of the portion of the earth’s surface over which he claimed control, and where he and his were under the special protection of the deity with whom he was in covenant. Therefore the threshold hearth was hallowed as a place of covenant worship.” (p. 151)

Purposes of the Altar
The purposes of altars set out in the scriptures included:
 
                                                            As the place to meet God
                                               A demonstration of submission to God.
                                                                      Thanksgiving
                                                                       Ritual Purity
                              Forgiveness of Sin/Redemption through a atoning sacrifice
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The Family Altar
Today instead of using the threshold of the home as a place for meeting and worshiping God, a table can function for this purpose as a place to pray and for offering communion. Indeed, Yeshua’s Atonement and Resurrection, which replaced the sacrificial system, can be reflected in a table of sacrifice where the emblem's of His sacrifice are placed - the wine and bread. A ceremony dedicating that piece of furniture for the purposes mentioned above can be administered.

Sign of the Priesthood Covenant
Fathers who become priests, by taking the Oath of the Priesthood, can administer communion to  their families using a Family Altar.  The altar functions as the Sign of the Priesthood Covenant as it represents the forgiveness of sins and redemption through an atoning sacrifice. Communion can be offered on a monthly basis and as a substitute for the animal sacrifices during the Holy days set out in the Torah. The family altar as the Sign of the Priesthood Covenant is the on-going witness that the father of the home is in a covenant relationship with God as a priest of His.
 

The Lord's Sacrament
The family altar is used as the place to administer the emblems of the Lord’s sacrifice – the bread for Lord’s body and the wine for His blood.  We primarily see Yeshua's sacrifice reversing Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden - "For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive" - 1 Cor. 15:22.  This is the essence of the Messianic Covenant.

The emblems of wine and bread represent the body and blood of the Messiah, but also by taking these emblems within oneself, one takes into one the very attributes of His life, His virtues and His energies. Of the blood covenant, Trumball writes, “… the taking in of another’s blood was the acquiring of another’s life, with all that was best in that other’s nature. It was not merely that the taking away of blood was the taking away of life; but that the taking in of blood was the taking in of life, and of all that life represented.” (The Blood Covenant, p.126) Yeshua affirms this symbolism at John 6:53-58.


Blessings over the Wine and Bread
Typically,  scriptures in the New Testament are used to bless the wine and bread.  Like this one found in the Gospel of Luke:
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"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."  Luke 22:19-20

For more extensive blessings, see the section below on Hebrew Study.

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Isaiah Chapter 24
The inhabitants of the world have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances and set at naught the ancient covenant.  This applies to all the inhabitants of the world because Israel has spread over all the world and have rejected the covenant God made with Israel.  This rejection of the law results in the curses and judgments of God, and destruction of the worlds people. However, a righteous remnant is saved.  The Messiah reveals Himself.

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Hebrew Study

Hebrew Communion Blessings

blessing_on_bread.pdf
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​Blessing for Wine will be next week.

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Side Bar

Armor of God

Interpretation

Helmet of Salvation ​(Yeshua/Jesus)

Breastplate of Righteousness ​(Commandments/Law)

Shield of Faith (Belief that God will keep His promises)

Belt of Truth ​(Strapped/bound to live Truth)

Sword of the Spirit ​(Divides Truth from Error)

Feet of Peace ​(Seeks to spread peace)

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Leviticus 9:1-11:47
GOSPELS: Matthew 3:11-17

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

​​Commentary with Nehemia Gordon
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HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 25

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD