Shalom everyone!
Welcome!
Yeshayah [Isaiah] 61:1-4
“The Spirit of the Master יהוה is upon Me, because יהוה has anointed Me to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, to appoint unto those who mourn in Tsiyon: to give them embellishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. And they shall be called trees of righteousness, a planting of יהוה, to be adorned. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, raise up the former wastes. And they shall restore the ruined cities, the wastes of many generations.”
Onleilove Chika Alston, M.Div., MSW is a minister, community organizer and writer living in Harlem, New York. Having grown up experiencing homelessness and foster care she truly knows Yah’s Good News is for the poor. In 2014 she founded Prophetic Whirlwind: Uncovering The Black Biblical Destiny a ministry focused on teaching about Hebrew tribes in Africa, prayer, justice and true Biblical Womanhood. Her ministry, work and travels has taken her to Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Morocco, Scotland, Switzerland, England and the Caribbean. In 2016 she founded Chika’s Closet an African clothing brand. She has 5 siblings and a large extended family. For all she is blessed to do she says to Yah Be The Glory!
Shalom Ladies!
I am very excited to introduce the Practical Torah podcast where each week we will examine the week’s Torah reading pulling out wisdom and inspiration for everyday life. About a year ago I started to read the weekly Torah portions and do some quick reflections on these passages of scripture. The weekly Torah Portions are just scripture reading plans to get through the first 5 books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. For many reading the scriptures is a daunting task and so the Torah Portion reading schedule is helpful if you do not know where to start. Torah is the basis of the entire Bible and so understanding these five books will help you understand Yah’s word. I am excited to study the Torah with you and uncover new lessons as we examine the text.
Practical Torah is a show on YouTube where you can find Hebrew music and teachings.
The congregation I attend Beth-El The House of YHWH switched from the 1-year Torah Portion schedule to a 3-year schedule so we can spend more time with the text. The difference between a 1-year and 3-year Torah Portion schedule is the difference between reading around 3-4 chapters per week verses reading about 1 chapter per week. View our Torah Portion schedule and other resources here:
Here is an older Torah Portion and I hope that it blesses you all.
No Man Can Curse What Yah Has Blessed but…Man can Curse Himself
In this week’s Torah Portion we see that the King of Moab tried about three times to curse the Hebrew people as they Sojourned from Egypt to Canaan. Each time the King tried to get Balaam to curse the Hebrews instead of a curse he heard a blessing. Even Balaam’s donkey got in on things and refused to even ride to curse the Hebrews after seeing an angel. In this portion of Torah we see three visions of blessing for Israel and then we see the Hebrew people fall into sexual sin with the daughters of Moab (look up Baal Peor worship). Yah would not allow the King of Moab and Balaam to curse the Hebrew people and so many scholars assume that the daughters of Moab were given so the Hebrew people could curse themselves.
The Hebrew people received liberation from slavery and saw a miracle at the Red Sea and yet while they are walking towards their promise their enemies are plotting to curse them. Yah sent an angel, made a donkey talk and sent three visions to Balaam an oracle who did not even serve him to prevent his people from being cursed. Often right after you experience a great move of Yah in your life there will be those around you plotting to destroy you. King Balak wanted the Hebrews cursed because he and his people were afraid:
“Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. And Moab said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will now lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak the son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the people of Amaw, to call him, saying, “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” Numbers 22:3-6
Sadly, when we are blessed some around us are afraid of what will happen to them. “If she goes to college will she think she is better than me. If he looses weight will he leave me. If she starts to keep Sabbath does that mean she won’t attend the family reunion. If he learns more knowledge will he leave my church? The saddest part of this story is that the Moabites were conceived by Lot and his daughter and Lot was related to Abraham as his nephew. Sometimes the people most afraid of our blessing, elevation and miracle are family. The enemies of Israel could not curse them but the Hebrews cursed themselves through sin with the daughters of Moab. Some say that once the King of Moab saw that he could not curse the Hebrews he sent his women to get the Hebrews to curse themselves.
Have you been tricked into cursing yourself? Often Hebrews quote the curses of Deuteronomy 28 and yes we see evidence of these collective curses on our people. Sadly though, we are experiencing curses, hardships and difficulties not due to some outside curse but due to our own disobedience. Whenever Yah moves strongly in your life especially if you are used strongly or delivered from a sin expect prophetic backlash which is spiritual attack that seeks to discourage you or get you off course. Expect enemies to plot out of fear and jealously. It’s your responsibility to guard your heart and desires so you are not tricked into bringing curses on yourself.
Sadly, many Hebrews have been tricked by the media to bring curses on themselves. The music, films, social media, food, education and even religion has tricked many of us into cursing ourselves. Our minds are shaped and molded to desire the very things that will lead to our lives being cursed. How did the Hebrews fall into sexual sin and idolatry with the women of Moab when the King of Moab was just trying to curse them? The Hebrews may have marched through the wilderness not knowing that basically their own cousins were plotting against them. Sadly, even when it comes to family if people are not serving Yah you must be careful around them.
As stated in this Torah portion “no one can curse what Yah has blessed” and this is true but we must also do our part to avoid sin when Yah has delivered us and protected us.
Are you bringing curses into your own life through your actions, associations or lack of action? Be honest not every difficulty that is befalling you is due to Deuteronomy 28 or societal oppression (though many are) some of these things are due to our own negligence. Ask Yah to reveal to you any and every-way you may be cursing yourself. Ask Yah to give you wisdom and to deliver you from any sins or habits that will hinder your liberation.
Yah wants to bless and protect his people but once we are in disobedience his hedge of protection can be breeched.
Onleilove Alston, M. Div, MSW
Founder of Prophetic Whirlwind:Uncovering the Black Biblical Destiny
From Genesis to Revelation so-called Blacks are central in the Scriptures, yet this presence has been hidden due to prejudice and ignorance. Understanding the so-called Black spiritual heritage is essential to understanding Black history and the freedom movement for justice. Prophetic Whirlwind seeks to uncover this rich history while inspiring through Biblical study and historical analysis. Understanding the Black foundation of the Bible will deepen and challenge your faith, while inspiring you to struggle for Biblical justice. Everyday millions of so-called Black people read the Bible but it is like we are looking in the mirror but can’t recognize our own face.
At Prophetic Whirlwind: Uncovering the Black Biblical Destiny we are: Revealing the destiny of the last who shall be made first. Uncovering the ancient path of Torah. Preparing the Bride and searching out the Tribes! Join us!
For more information visit: www.PropheticWhirlwind.com
Need Prayer? Email Women of the Whirlwind Prayer Ministry at [email protected]