Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Shalom,

Tomorrow is Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer.  Please note: we are counting a week behind the rest of the Jewish world.  I wish I could give you a good reason.  Lag B’Omer is a day of rejoicing and picnicking.  During the counting of the Omer there is a somber tone of reflection.  Weddings and other celebrations are not permitted, except on Lag B’Omer.  So, plan something fun for Thursday.

Matthew 5:16 – Let Your Light Shine… part 3 of 3

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

What’s this?  The result of letting your light shine is that men will see your good works.  2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Messiah.

Here is a word to the wise about what it means to “let your light shine.”   Luke 12:2 There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 3 Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.  The short message is that there will be no secrets, so let’s not live like there will be any.

If that’s not plain enough, Mark 4:21 He also was saying to them, “Is a lamp put under a basket or a bed? No, shouldn’t it be placed on a lamp stand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything kept secret except that it would come to light.”

While we’re on the subject, here are a couple of scriptures about walking in darkness, which is euphemistic for sinning in secret.  John 11:10 But if a man should walk around at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”And there this regarding lying to yourself about your relationship with Yeshua…. 1 John 1:5 Now this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you—that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him and keep walking in the darkness, we are lying and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of His Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin.

So we close with this invitation from Isaiah 2:5 Come house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of Adonai.  Rejoice… Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yeshua has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Counting the Omer – Day 32
Here is the proper blessing to be said each day.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, Vitzivanu Al Sefirat Ha-Omer.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer.  Today is four weeks and four days of the counting of the Omer.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 25-May-2022 24th of Iyyar, 5782 32nd day of the Omer
Le 27:1-15 Jer 13 Job 23 (Mk 4:1-20) 1 Co 4

Week 22
Memory Verse:  Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life. Abundance of joys are in Your presence, eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

106     5/23      Monday:        Jonah 1-2
107     5/24      Tuesday:       Jonah 3-4
108     5/25      Wednesday:  Hosea 1-3
109     5/26      Thursday:      Amos 1:1; 9
110     5/27      Friday:           Joel 1-3