Parashat Vaetchanan (Deut 3:23-7:11) includes some of the most foundational texts of the Jewish Scriptures, including the Ten Commandments, the Shema (the duty to love God and study His Torah), and the commandments of tefillin and mezuzot. In addition, in this Torah portion Moses predicts the worldwide exile and the eventual redemption of the Jewish people in acharit hayamim (the prophesied “End of Days”).
We always read this portion of the Torah on the Sabbath that follows Tishah B’Av, called Shabbat Nachamu (שבת נחמו), the “Sabbath of Comfort,” since the haftarah speaks about God’s future consolation in the coming kingdom of God (“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people [Isa. 40:1]). With the advent of this special Sabbath, we have just seven weeks to prepare for the new year (i.e, Yom Teruah) and the High Holidays – a “jubilee” season that heralds the return of Yeshua… In addition, on the 15th day of the month of Av we will celebrate chag ha-ahavah (חַג הָאַהֲבָה), or “the holiday of love.” Since it marks the “last” festival of the Jewish year, prophetically the 15th of Av (called Tu B’Av) pictures our marriage to the Lamb of God (Seh Elohim), the LORD Yeshua our beloved Messiah. On a soon-coming day those who belong to the LORD and are faithful to follow His ways will be blessed with the unspeakable joy of an eternally intimate relationship with Him. This is heaven itself – to be in the Presence of the LORD and to be regarded as His beloved (Rev. 19:6-9). – John
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