Jo’s Place

​ The Priestly Blessing The Lord said to Moses,  “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel, with this special blessing:  ‘May the Lord bless you  and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you  and be gracious to you.  May the Lord show you His favor  and give you His peace.’   …from the Book of Numbers  Chapter 6: verses 22–26 (NLT) Traditionally, the priest blessed the people every morning, after the sacrifice at the Temple.  Today, many synagogues end their service, with this blessing, as a benediction. The Torah prescribed that only the descendants of Aaron (the kohanim) were allowed to convey this blessing, upon the people of Israel, and indeed this practice continues, in synagogue services today.  During an (Orthodox) service, for example, the priests first remove their shoes and have their hands ritually washed by Levites (if any are present).  This custom is based on the verse, "Lift up your hands to the holy ...

​ Jacob deceives his father. “My father?” Jacob said  (as he entered Isaac’s tent to deceive his father). “Yes, my son,” Isaac answered.  “Who are you—Esau or Jacob?”  Jacob lied, “It’s Esau, your firstborn son. I’ve done as you told me. Here is the wild game. Now sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing.”  But Isaac asked, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?”  “The Lord your God put it in my path!” Jacob replied.  Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come closer… so I can touch you and make sure that you really are Esau.”  So Jacob went closer to his father, and Isaac touched him.  “The voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are Esau’s,” Isaac said.  But he did not recognize Jacob, because Jacob’s hands felt hairy just like Esau’s.  So Isaac  prepared  to bless Jacob.  “But are you really my son Esau?” he asked  (again). “Yes, I am,” Jacob replied  (once again lying to his father) .  Then Isaac said, “Now, my...

​ Balaam’s Second Message Then King Balak told Balaam, “Come with me to another place. There you will see another part of the nation of Israel, but not all of them. Curse at least that many!”  So Balak took Balaam to the plateau of Zophim on Pisgah Peak.  He built seven altars there and offered a young bull and a ram on each altar.  Then Balaam said to the king, “Stand here by your burnt offerings while I go over there to meet the Lord.”  And the Lord met Balaam and gave him a message.  Then He said, “Go back to Balak and give him My message.”  So Balaam returned and found the king standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab. “What did the Lord say?” Balak asked eagerly.  This was the message Balaam delivered: “Rise up, Balak, and listen!  Hear me, son of Zippor. God is not a man, so He does not lie.  He is not human, so He does not change His mind.  Has He ever spoken and failed to act?  Has He ever promised ...