8th Month: Cheshvan 5784 (Oct-Nov, 2023)
Parashah Project (Genesis 1-25a); Hebrew Treasure (Aleph from Psalm 119:1-8)
Welcome to the first monthly newsletter for the month of Cheshvan (חֶשְׁוָן).
It seems as if the world has turned upside down this week. War in Israel…again. While change is palpable, on the broader scales of history, this is nothing new. The cycles of history are moving toward a Jerusalem-centric kingdom characterized by the absence of war and the absence of suffering and tears. The prophets have spoken of it and the Messiah will ultimately brings things to completion in what’s called the restoration of all things.
You likely noticed that this month is numbered as the 8th month instead of the 1st month. That’s because of what God said in the first two verses of Exodus 12 about the Passover,
Now ADONAI spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, “This month will mark the beginning of months for you; it is to be the FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR for you. (Exodus 12:1-2)
So basically, when God works dramatically to rescue His people, He resets the clock. Consider the current year 2023 and how we have anchored the pivot from before and after a dramatic rescue event a couple of millennia ago!
Passover begins the year in the 1st month. Then, after the culminating holy days of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles (followed by Sh’mini Atzeret) in the 7th month, we move into the 8th month called Cheshvan. Remember, the 8th day is really the 1st day of the week as well in a wonderful cycle of renewal.
Thus, the weekly rhythm of working for six days and then a 7th day of Sabbath rest is immediately followed by resurrection and renewal and the weekly cycle begins again! Furthermore, this 6 + 1 + 1 rhythm is also reflected in the Biblical monthly rhythm. God’s ordering of time is pretty amazing, huh? I have been fascinated by the biblical calendar and secular calendars and studied them for decades!
This eighth month includes the first five portions in the book of Genesis. The first two portions address the God’s original creation and His re-creation with Noah’s family after the flood. The next three portions follow the life of Abraham and his family as God finds in him a simple faith with power to restore all things.
10/14/23 – B’REISHEET (בְּרֵאשִׁית) “In the beginning”
Click here for commentary and daily reading guide for B’REISHEET.
Torah: Genesis 1:1-6:8
Prophets: Isaiah 42:5-43:10
Apostles: Revelation 22:6-21
10/21/23 – NOACH (נֹחַ) “Rest”
Click here for commentary and daily reading guide for NOACH.
Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32
Prophets: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Apostles: Matthew 24:36-46
10/28/23 – LECH L'CHA (לֶךְ־לְךָ) “Go Forth, Yourself!”
Click here for commentary and daily reading guide for LECH L’CHA.
Torah: Genesis 12:1-17:27
Prophets: Isaiah 40:27-41:16
Apostles: Romans 4:1-25
11/4/23 – VAYERA (וַיֵּרָא) “And He Appeared”
Click here for commentary and daily reading guide for VAYERA.
Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24
Prophets: 2 Kings 4:1-37
Apostles: Luke 1:26-38; 24:36-53
11/11/23 – CHAYEI SARAH (חַיֵּי שָֹרָה) “Life of Sarah”
Click here for commentary and daily reading guide for CHAYEI SARAH.
Torah: Genesis 23:1-25:18
Prophets: 1 Kings 1:1-31
Apostles: Matthew 1:1-17
This is the first installment of Hebrew Treasure from Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. Each month I will be mining nuggets of gold from the original Hebrew and my goal is to make the riches of God’s Word more accessible to you—even if you don’t know any Hebrew!
1. Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3. Who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4. You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5. Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6. Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7. I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8. I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
YOUR HEART CAN BE JOYFULLY SATISFIED
Ashrei (אַשְׁרֵי) is the first word of this psalm and this Hebrew word begins with the Hebrew letter aleph (א) – the 1st letter in the Hebrew alphabet. As an acrostic poem, each of the eight verses in every stanza of Psalm 119, begins with the same Hebrew letter. Furthermore, each stanza corresponds to the order of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In other words, aleph begins the first word in each of the first eight verses of Psalm 119, the next Hebrew letter, bet, begins the first word of each of the eight verses in the second stanza, etc.
In this first stanza, Ashrei is actually the first word in both verses 1 and 2 and while often translated “blessed,” actually describes a deeper experience of being “joyfully satisfied." Think about that. What makes you joyfully satisfied? Just as the entire Psalter opens with two introductory psalms, Psalm 119 opens with two introductory verses pointing us to this state of richest blessing that God desires for all His children. While ashrei sometimes gets translated as "happy,” this is a far too superficial description of the inheritance of our full blessing as a beloved child of God. For example, Psalm 1 also opens with the word ashrei as a description of the inheritance for the one who “delights in the law of the Lord” (Ps. 1:1). Similarly, Psalm 119 invites us deeper into God’s instructions as the pathway deeper into His heart of love.
Additionally, in the Sermon on the Mount, each of the eight verses of Matthew 5:3-10, begins with the Greek, makarios, or “blessed.” Better known by the Latin influenced term "beatitudes," makarios is actually a translation of the Hebrew ashrei. As God’s beloved Son, Jesus extended the Father’s covenant love to all with ears to hear, faith to believe, and a will to obey.
Go deeper into the Father’s heart today. Seek God’s voice through His Word – written and living – and the blessings of being joyfully satisfied in Him. Soul contentment through abiding communion with Jesus is the only path to true joyful satisfaction!
Hebrew Treasure excerpt written by Thomas Boehm.
From The Psalm 119 Journey by Steve Allen, ©2022.
Used with permission.
Shabbat shalom,
Thomas