Weekly Torah Studies
Today's Torah
Portion:
The Hebrew Alphabet:
Pey
Pey
The seventeenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called “Pey” (sounds like “pay”). It has
the sound of “p” as in “park”. Pey has the numeric value of 80.
Notice the
“hidden Bet” within the letter Pey. This shape of the letter is
required when a Torah scribe writes Torah scrolls, or mezzuzahs. From the
Canaanite pictograph, the letter morphed into the Phoenician ketav Ivri, to the Greek letter
(Pi), which became the
Latin letter “P.”
The word Pey
פה)) means “mouth” and by extension, “word,”
“expression,” “vocalization,” and “speech”. In the order of the Hebrew
alphabet, Pey follows the letter ‘Ayin, suggesting the priority of the
eyes (i.e., understanding, awareness) before verbal expression (reversing this
order results in mindless chatter).
Spiritual Meaning of the Pey
Pey = 80 and means “MOUTH”,
“SPEECH” or “WORD”.
The Pey is, first and
foremost, the letter of Yahweh’s Word – His Mouth and Speech and Commands.
Because it first signifies God’s Word, it is associated with healing. “He sent
His WORD and HEALED them, and delivered them…” Psalm 107:20
“(Master) I am not
worthy that You should come under my roof, but SPEAK the WORD only, and my
servant shall be HEALED,” Matthew 8:8
The
inner space of the letter Pey reveals
the letter Bet. Since the first
word of Scripture (bereshit) begins with an enlarged letter Bet (representing the house of Creation),
it is inferred that the invisible letter Pey
(surrounding the Bet) represents the
Word of God that created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-3). The
very first letter of the Scriptures is a picture that the ‘Word’ of God is the
agency behind the entire universe Psalm 33:6:
By the word of Yahweh were the heavens made; and all
the host of them by the Breath of His Mouth.
Pey
predominantly signifies the Word of Yahweh.
But, on a lesser scale, it also indicates the word of man. A drash on the
hidden Bet suggests that since Pey means mouth and Bet means home, what is spoken within the home is likewise spoken
outside the home. In other words, our private conversation within our homes
will reflect itself in our public life. Conversely, what we speak in public
will also affect the quality of our life at home.
The letter Pey
represents the number 80. 80 is the same value found in the words yesod
(foun-dation) and gevurah (strength). This is also the age of Moses when
he was called to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt, and seems to be
indicative of a sign of strength in human life.”
Wisdom
from the Pey
Pey has two forms: the closed (פ) and the
open (ף).
The closed Pey appears at the
beginning and in the middle of words, while the open form only appears at the
end of words. The lesson in this is simple: Learn to be silent (פ), listening
to Yah, before you speak (ף). Only then
will His Living Word (Pey) come out
of your life and mouth.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I Am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Isaiah 50:4 “Yahweh GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know
how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by
morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” (FIRST, we are
wakened to hear with the ear of the learned – THEN we will have the tongue of
the learned.)
Warning!
Warning! Misuse of Pey will Bring Unholy Fire!
James 3:6-10 “And
the tongue is a fire, a world of
iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and
of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of
mankind: But the tongue can no
man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith
bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made
after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
The Hateful Tongue
Jeremiah spoke of those “treacherous” people who
“bend their tongue like a bow.” He cautioned that no one should place trust in
the person who “deceives” and “slanders,” nor with those who “have taught their
tongue to speak lies” (Jer. 9:2-5). Yahweh
hates the lying tongue (Prov. 6:17; cf. Acts 5:3-4). Some use their tongues to
rip and gut others—even their brethren in Christ.
The Immoral Tongue
Solomon said that the mouth of the forbidden woman is a “deep pit” (Prov.
22:14). Note the perfume-drenched words (“fair speech”) of the immoral woman
who lures a man to his destruction (7:14). Men have similarly taken advantage
of vulnerable, lonely women by their deceitful language.
The Boasting Tongue
The vain Pharisee, in a dramatic presentation before Yahweh, paraded his feigned accomplishments, but he was not
accounted as just with God, in spite of his boasting (Lk. 18:9). It was Francis
Bacon who said something to the effect that “a bragging man is scorned by the
wise, and admired by fools.” Wise words are those spoken in humility and
repentance.
The Impetuous Tongue
An inspired writer declared: “Let every man be
swift to hear, slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19). The poet Robert Frost once said that
“half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and
the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.” A wise man
wrote: “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise” (Prov. 17:28).
Unfortunately, he frequently opens his mouth and removes all doubt! There are
far too many people who talk, having not first listened to Yahweh – awaiting the Gift of His Word.
The Critical Tongue
A wise man values constructive criticism; it’s
just that sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between constructive
criticism and plain old meanness. But, as Solomon observed, “A
rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding, than do a hundred stripes
into a fool” (Prov. 17:10). A wise person can learn valuable lessons from his
critics if he but will. On the other hand, there are those who have turned
criticism into a recreational sport. Whenever they gather, like vicious
piranha, they devour all flesh in sight.
The Double-Tongued
In setting forth qualifications for deacons, Paul
admonished that they must not be “double-tongued” (1 Tim. 3:8). The
double-tongued person is one who has refined the art of duplicity. He will say
anything to get you off his back, then say quite another to someone else. His
word is not his bond. His tongue flaps like an irritating awning in a winter
storm (see Prov. 8:8).
The Explosive Tongue
James observed that the tongue is an instrument
that no man can control completely (cf. Jas. 3:8). But some make almost no
attempt at the effort. At the least irritant they explode with expletives. One
might be surprised to listen to the language of the person on Sunday who has
spoken so piously on Sabbath! To those who operate in such fashion, Yahweh says: “What right have you to
recite My Statutes or take My Covenant upon your lips?” (Psa. 50:16).
Conclusion
“Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29), rather, put
away shameful speaking from your mouth (Col. 3:8). Listen to the warning of the
Judge of the universe: “I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment. For by your
words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt.
12:36-37).Recognizing this, helps us to place Pey in its Sealing context. Truly, we cannot be Sealed, without a right use of the mouth, having refrained from speaking from self, but speaking instead in Yah-Governed Words and Ways.
For those who keep the Sabbath, we get a shadow picture of how important Pey (controlling the mouth) is if we would enjoy the ultimate Sabbath of the Jubilee with Yah.
Isaiah 58:13-14 “If
thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy
Day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of Yahweh, honourable; and shalt
honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
(Pey פ) Then shalt thou delight
thyself in Yahweh; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the
earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the Mouth of Yahweh hath spoken it
(Pey פ).”
Godly
Pey – Like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver
Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
How can our words be like
golden apples? And what are the “settings of silver” to which Solomon refers?
In Hebrew, “gold” (zahab זחב) ends with the letter bet
(ב), and the
word for “silver” (ceseph כסף) ends with the letter pey
(ף). When the Word of Wisdom, from Yah’s Torah (ב) resides in the mouth (פ), then the resulting words will be “aptly spoken” and of great
value… Like apples of Gold in pictures of Silver.This Week's Torah Studies: (Statutes 41-60)
The Torah studies are provided in two formats for your convenience. The first option (below) is the blank worksheets for this week, which will allow you to print out the worksheets and hand-write the studies yourself. If you have less time, you may wish to read/print my completed Statute studies. The completed worksheets are the second option (below):
This week we will be studying Statutes 41-60, which are summarized below. Happy studying!
Statute 41-42 Summary:
(41) The priests bear the responsibility to be watchmen who safeguard Yahweh’s holy things and days (42) and lead in the worship of Yahweh. When the priests rightly serve in this post, people are protected by it..
Number 18:5 “And ye (the priests) shall keep the charge of the Sanctuary, and the charge of the Altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.”
Statute 43-45 Summary:
(43) The priests are to serve as burden bearers (intercessors), helping others find pardon and peace with Heaven. (44) Priests are not to have an earthly inheritance. (45) The tithes are the support and inheritance of the priests.
Numbers 18:23-24 “But the Levites (priests) shall do the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a Statute forever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto Yahweh, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.”
Statute 46 Summary:
(46) We (since we are all called to be priests - Revelation 5:12) are to take care to come cleansed before Yahweh. We cannot worship Him, be an acceptable living sacrifice, or minister to others until we ourselves are made clean.
Exodus 30:18-21 “Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the Tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the Tabernacle of the Congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto Yahweh: So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.”
Statute 47-48 Summary:
(47) The Menorah is to be fueled only by pure olive oil. (48) The Menorah Light is never to burn out, but is to be always lit.
Exodus 27:20-21 “And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the Light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the Tabernacle of the Congregation without the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.”
Statute 49 Summary:
(49) The priests are to regularly bless the people in Yahweh’s Name with the following Yah-given blessing:
Numbers 6:23-27 “Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the Children of Israel, saying unto them, Yahweh bless thee, and keep thee: Yahweh make His Face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Yahweh lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put My Name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”
Statute 50 Summary:
(50) The priests are to set a show-bread table continually before Yahweh’s Presence.
Exodus 25:30 “And thou shalt set upon the Table Showbread before Me always.”
Statute 51-53 Summary:
When a foul and idolatrous building or city is judged and destroyed, (51) it is to remain a ruin forever. It must never be rebuilt. Also, (52) no items or gain from the judged place may be taken or used by the Children of Yahweh. (53) All proceeds and gain from the judged place must be destroyed and burned by fire.
Deuteronomy 13:16-17 “And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for Yahweh thy God: and it shall be an heap forever; it shall not be built again. And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that Yahweh may turn from the fierceness of His anger, and show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as He hath sworn unto thy fathers.”
Statute 54-55 Summary:
(54) A prophet who claims to speak in Yahweh's Name, the prophet must speak the Truth from the Word of God. When a prophet (teacher of “truth”) claims to speak in Yahweh’s Name, but does not speak the Truth from the Word of God, that presumptuous prophet will die. (55) And when person claims to teach truth, he/she must not do it in the name of a false god. Such a false prophet will also die.
Deuteronomy 18:20 “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My Name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.”
Statutes 56 Summary:
(56) If a false prophet (proclaimed teacher of “truth”) encourages people to do or believe things which honor false gods, you are not to listen to him/her. Even if the false teacher “proves” his false teachings with miracles, you are not to listen to or allow yourself to in any way be influenced by him or her.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for Yahweh your God proveth you, to know whether ye love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Statute 57-59 Summary:
(57) Yahweh’s people are not to assemble to hear a false prophet. (58) Yahweh's people must not show hospitality to a false prophet. (59) Yahweh's people are not to show deferential respect towards a false prophet.
Deuteronomy 18:22 “When a prophet speaketh in the Name of Yahweh, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Yahweh hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Statute 60 Summary:
(60) Yahweh’s people are not to talk like, nor practice the worldly habits of, nor take on the ungodly customs of the unsaved people around us.
Leviticus 20:23 “And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them."
