Greetings in the name of His & Her Imperial Majesties Qedamawi Haile Sellassie I & Itege Menen Asfaw,

This is another one of the many interpretations of the Scriptures from the light of Ras Tafari by, I, Lidj Yefdi (pronounced Lij, Yef-dee).

I assure you that if you are patient with me, come with a willing mind and heart(ready to learn), you will receive more than what you might have asked for, in seeking the perspective of a Ras Tafarian’s I-sight (eyesight) if those who actually open up their Bibles to read in a Jewish/Hebrew cycle of readings, & thoroughly discern, have come to seek insight) into the study of the Scriptures.

So,with this Hebrew Shabbot (or Shabbat) we move into the opening of the Torah portion with Tazrïa – תַזְרִיעַ (sometimes known as “Ki-Tazria” – כִּי תַזְרִיעַ), on the 5th – ה, & on the 6th – ו, of the month of Iy’yar- אִייָר, in the year of 5778. (the Hebrew Calendar corresponds to a Lunar cycle of the Moon)  From an Ethiopic Judeo-Christian perspective and calculation, where the current year is 2010/7510; This calculation, with its readings from the Scriptures, would align to the 12th – ፲፪, & on the 13th – ፲፫, of the month of Mïyázïya – ሚያዝያ.  In the Scriptures, this portion of study would also be known as B’tárägíz – ብታረግዝ.  The Ethiopic calendar is solar (with its correspondence to the Sun) aligns to this Sabbath (or Senbet – ሰንበት) in the Ethiopian language of Amharic, which is currently one of the languages of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (the other language being Ge’ez-[ግእዝ]).

Readings:

Leviticus 12:1- 13:59

II Kings 4:42- 5:19

John 6:8-13

Matthew 8:1-4

Now, as we continue in out studies; this portions will be doubled in lieu of, the Shemittah (Jubilee) year calculation. [to conclude with an adequate number of portions studied for the year]  So, in summation of the study we have in front of us; In this portion of the study of the Scriptures, the God of Israel, speaks to Moses in the manner of explanation on childbirth. This portion of Scriptures has a defined word that comes to a literal english meaning of…”when she conceives.” God explains to Moses the order of actions that should take place upon the birth of children among them. (Hebrews/Israelites)  For the women of Ras Tafari, I personally, take the responsibility in informing the sistren (sisterhood) of Ras Tafari, along with those who will inquire of these studies to pay a specific attention to this parsha(portion) of Scripture. Tazria, gives a word-sound (interpretation) on the method of recovery for women, who have given birth to a child; whether it be male or female.

Though, it has been recognized and expounded upon, the Bible contains more than religious & spiritual anecdotes, but contains passages that are beneficial for life experiences.

I, personally have found that most of the critiques of the Bible and those who study, to seek & find answers to these questions rarely have a solid explanation or even sufficient disagreement as to why, when & where these happenings take place, but let me not deter OUR main goal here,…which the study for this Sabbath.

The Scripture study for this Sabbath lays a foundation for the rest period of a mother who has recently given birth & how things should go about for the retrieval of her strength, physically and mentally; dealing with it from a Hebraic/Israelitish Torah perspective.

[ Lev.; Chpt. 12 (entire chapter) ]

But, even in this case, the method presented can either be enlightening and show a parallel to “modern world” childbirth…or by the wording, which comes to us in a slew of mistranslation can deter one from looking to the Scriptures to seek some understanding of the universal issues of life. {with that said, RE-consider the (5) five-fold, depiction of the Early languages of the Bible shown above before discrediting the words used in this study of Leviticus, before condemning them as useless or demeaning to women= words like unclean seem to stir dismay. The word unclean- comes to a meaning of defiled or polluted, in a moral sense when decoded from Biblical Scripture, in this use of it in the context of a few verses in Leviticus.} For example, a woman’s health is given no thought, unless clear signs are identified when she is going about her daily routine, when she has not given birth to a child.

(so, the human exchange of a simple embrace-hug, handshake, monetary exchange etc., is of no significance to anyone, with a woman who has not given birth. But, on the flip-side of that, is a woman, blessed for giving birth to another human being in the manner of all female mammals upon the Earth. But, it should be a known fact that, rest and recovery are “I-tal“(vital) to a woman’s betterment; post-childbirth. Any woman in this world should agree to that premise, especially, seeing as they take full advantage of maternity leave for an occupation or what-have-you (& should), along with other benefits and accommodations that concentrate on women’s issues, & that alone. These issues & their benefits have no complaints from the opposite sex; at not in Hebraic or Hebrew-minded circles.[notwithstanding or neglecting other cultures who hold the maternity/health preservation of the respective communities in high regard.])

So, in encouragement to the women who will see this post from Ras Tafari Renaissance, please remember that here we insist that the mind, and heart remain open to receive what can be useful in spiritual growth.

God also instructed Moses, to teach the children of Israel, the ritual and cultural practices, along with the sacrifices or offerings that were to be made for the ushering of a newborn into the community of Israel.

[Lev. 13 (entire chapter)]

*THIS WEEK’S SABBATH IS ALSO A DOUBLE-PORTION OF STUDY*

*THIS STUDY IS ALSO THE 1ST SABBATH OF A NEW MONTH(Iyar)*

nonetheless the Torah portion of Metzora – מְּצֹרָע , is also studied this cycle from a Jewish/Hebrew mode of study for those out in the diaspora, living outside of Jerusalem or Israel.  From an Ethiopic-Christian perspective and calculation these readings from the Scriptures would align to what is known as BeMenT’satu Qen – በመንጻቱ ቀን; aligns to this Sabbath (or Senbet-ሰንበት) in the Ethiopian language of Amharic which is currently one of the languages of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church(the other language being Ge’ez-ግእዝ).

Readings:

Leviticus 14:1 -15:33

II Kings 7: 3-20

Matthew 8: 1-17

The portion of the study of the Scriptures for this week is Metz’orah- מְּצֹרָע .  Metz’orah has a meaning that comes in the English as either “one being diseased,” or “one infected.”  In the Ethiopic-Judeo-Christian perspective, this parsha(portion) of the Scriptures is named BeMents’atu Q’en – በመንጻቱ ቀን.  This study deals with the interaction with what has come to be known as a “Leper.”  In this portion of Scripture study, God instructs Moses, on how to deal with those who may be of Israel who might become infected with the disease of leprosy.

[Lev. 14: 1-32]

The instruction was given to Moses for the sake of the children of Israel, but this didn’t exclude the instruction for healing to be exclusive of anyone who sought out an end to the cleansing.

[Lev. 14:32-57]

In keeping true to his covenant with Israel, God has continued to show that his knowledge is Supreme and the intent is for the well-being of the children of Israel to be fruitful.  God continues to provide abundant information to Moses, to deliver to the community for them to apply to their everyday life.

This making the children of Israel equipped to not only sustain themselves from illness, but even from the last parsha/kifil; Tazria, which dealt with the motherhood, in the childbearing stage of living.  Generationally, the children of Israel, were to keep these laws, statutes, and commandments.

[Lev. 15: 1-33]