The 613 Mitzvot: 56-60
We are often asked to do teachings on the 613 commandments found in the Jewish faith. Understandably, such a teaching or teaching series would be an immense undertaking. However, we thought we may be able to go through it, at least in part, in our blogs. This is an ongoing blog series that we will do at different times without any real schedule planned. We will not be going into great depth in this series.
The format for these blog posts will be simple. We will cite a traditional rabbinic commandment as found in the AENT (Aramaic-English New Testament), provide the Scripture that it is supposed to be based from, indicate if we agree that it is a commandment we can do today or if it is one that cannot apply today and then why or why not. Then we will give a few notes or thoughts as to why believe it can or cannot be applied today. Last time we looked at commandments fifty-one through fifty-five, this week we will take a brief look at five more.
Commandment: On eating the roasted Pesach/Passover lamb night of Nisan 15
Exodus 12:8 (ESV)
“They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.”
Notes:
This is another commandment that we do not believe can be properly obeyed today, but will apply once again when it’s possible. A built temple does not currently exist till the 1000 year reign. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out the proper slaughtering of the Pesach. If we cannot slaughter it according to the instructions, then we are not truly eating the Pesach. For us to attempt to do so as things are would be doing them our own way and not His way. However, we may eat lamb at the time of Passover in memorial. For more on our understanding Passover and Unleavened Bread, please see our The Mo’edim series.
http://119ministries.com/moedimpassover
Commandment: On slaughtering the Pesach Sheini, Iyyar 14, offering
Numbers 9:11 (ESV)
“In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
Notes:
This is another commandment that we do not believe can be properly obeyed today, but will apply once again when it’s possible. A built temple does not currently exist till the 1000 year reign. The criteria will exist again (Ezekiel 40-48) to carry out this commandment. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out the proper slaughtering of the Pesach. For us to attempt to do so as things are would be doing them our own way and not His way. For more on our understanding Passover and Unleavened Bread, please see our The Mo’edim series.
http://119ministries.com/moedimpassover
Commandment: On eating the Pesach (Passover) lamb with Matzah (Unleavened Bread) and Maror (Bitter Herb)
Numbers 9:11 (ESV)
“In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
Notes:
As noted above, slaughtering a lamb according to the commandments is not possible. Eating a lamb is permissible as long as it is understood that it is not fulfilling the commandment, which is to eat of the Biblically slaughtered lamb. Unleavened Bread/Matzah and the Bitter Herb/Maror are commandments that can be kept.
Commandment: Trumpets for Feast sacrifices brought & for tribulation
Numbers 10:9-10 (ESV)
“On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”
Notes:
While trumpets can be blow today, we cannot blow them over our burnt offerings and sacrifices. Also, these were specific trumpets being played by the Levites whom we do not have established today. A built temple does not currently exist till the 1000 year reign. The criteria will exist again (Ez. 40-48) to carry out this commandment. An established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out this commandment.
Commandment: On minimum age of cattle to be offered
Exodus 12:6 (ESV)
“When an ox or sheep or goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be acceptable as a food offering to the Lord.”
Notes:
While the proper age can be determined and followed, we are not currently capable of making the prescribed offerings. Because of this, we cannot actually follow the command today. A built temple does not currently exist till the 1000 year reign. The criteria will exist again (Ez. 40-48) to carry out this commandment and we should at that time. A established Earthly priesthood is not currently organized and available to carry out this commandment.
We hope this has helped bring a little clarity to the twelfth set of 5 commandments and their applicability to our lives today, at least as we currently understand them. Aside from ourselves, keeping the cultural understanding and Scriptural context are our greatest obstacle to understanding, and thus obeying, the ways of our Creator. Each day we must choose whether to obey or disobey thereby choosing whom we are serving.
Shalom