Special holiday reading for Shemini Atzeret on 22 Tisrei, 5765 - October 7, 2004 Shemini Atzeret: Holiday Torah reading Deuteronomy 14:22 to 16:17; Haftarah: 1 Kings 8:54 to 9:1; Mei Kituvim: Proverbs 15:1-33; Brit Chadashah: Matthew 11:1-30


The Bagel: Give it up. The thought of giving things up runs through the readings for this day.

Torah:
Deuteronomy 14:22 to 16:17. In the Parashah for Shemini Atzeret, there is the command to give the tithe. It was a percentage of the harvest. The people had to give it up if they wanted to honor G-d with their possessions. In an agrarian culture, the harvest was your very life. Today, the thought of giving up a tenth of your very life or that which is your survival is foreign. For most people with wealthier incomes a tenth is a contribution, not a sacrifice. Like the chicken who said to the hog: "Let's provide breakfast. You provide the bacon and I'll provide the eggs!" "No way!" said the pig, "For you it is a contribution, but for me it is a sacrifice!"

The reading also mentions the "giving up" during Shemitah cycle. The seven-year cycle of debt remission meant giving up the right to gain a return on loans in that year. It also meant to be a supply for the needy, thus a giving up by the more prosperous to the less fortunate.

Lastly, at the end of Sukkot, the people were to give to G-d expressions of joy. It is a way of giving thanks for the abundant harvest. Joy was not to be hidden in the heart, but rather given up to Adonay.

Haftarah:
1 Kings 8:54 to 9:1. In the Haftarah reading, Solomon gave up an incredible offering of prayer to Adonay. This prayer brought out the joy in the hearts of the people, who gave up their time and money to travel to Jerusalem in order to see the dedication of the First Temple. Solomon also gave up thousands of sheep and other animals as sacrifices in order to inaugurate the service of the Temple.

Mei Kituvim:
Proverbs 15:1-33. In the reading of the Kituvim, there are interesting contrasts that are dependant on "giving it up." Those who are poor, or afflicted, or oppressed have a hard time: "For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15 NIV). Even a person in that situation can find happiness. When they do then there is a continual feast. It is like being in the shade and security of a Succah in the midst of a parched desert. The key here is giving up the pride that says "why is this happening to me?" and replace it with a "Why not?" It is the exchange of pride for Chesed or the grace of G-d that enables joy to come forth.

Another instance of contrast is in a setting where love is given up while hatred is given out contrasted with hatred given up while love is given out. "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love Than a fattened ox where there is hate" (Proverbs 15:17 Tanakh JPS). The more-valuable meal has lesser value where there is hatred. When the towel is thrown in on love or it is given up, then hatred fills the void. Love makes all the difference. It could also be said that love given out to others is also given up to G-d as an offering. Hatred given out to others gives off a stench of death in the nostrils of G-d.

Brit Chadashah:
Matthew 11:1-30. When we get to the Brit Chadashah, the most important form of giving up is in the surrender of the burdens that weigh us down into hell. Many people miss an opportunity to be free from the burden of sin once and for all. They refuse to "give it up." They insist on doing it themselves. This is dangerous. There is no other remission of this debt/burden. Yeshua is One who made it all possible: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV). When you give Him the burden of sin, then you'll find atonement. He is also able to handle all the other lesser burdens and crises of life.

Cream Cheese: Give it up and better will come down!


Special holiday reading for Shemini Atzeret on 22 Tisrei, 5765 - October 7, 2004 Shemini Atzeret: Holiday Torah reading Deuteronomy 14:22 to 16:17; Haftarah: 1 Kings 8:54 to 9:1; Mei Kituvim: Proverbs 15:1-33; Brit Chadashah: Matthew 11:1-30