‘Men of great stature’ in the Hebrew text is Nephilim. These ‘men of great stature,’ the Anakim, descended from Anak who descended from Arba (Joshua 5:13). Arba founded a city named Kiriath Arba, south of Canaan near Edom and Moab. In Genesis 9:25, Canaan was cursed by Noach because his father had exposed Noach’s nakedness as he slept off a drunken state. Some believe that Ham’s wife, and therefore Canaan, carried the Nephilim gene which is how they (the descendants of Canaan) were on the earth ‘after the flood.’
Tag: Sabbath
Parashah 21: Ki Tissa (When you take)
These spices were blended like a perfume into an anointing oil and were not to be used on an individual’s body, though Aaron and his sons were anointed with this oil as part of their consecration. If anyone used the oil improperly, they would be cut off from Isra’el. The oil was used to anoint the Mishkan, the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Presence and all its utensils, the Altar of Incense, the Altar of Sacrifice and its utensils, and the Bronze Laver. After being anointed, the objects would become holy and whoever touched them would become holy.
Parashah 18: Mishpatim (Rulings)
The Ten Commandments did not complete the instructions of Adonai. He continued to reveal His Torah with His mishpatim or rulings. Mishpat is a Hebrew noun which means ‘judgment or rights.’ Mishpat deals with the act of sitting as a judge and rendering a verdict so that judicial issues are properly executed.
Parashah 16: B’shallach (After he had let go)
Pharaoh allowed the Hebrews to leave Egypt, but their journey had only just begun. Though they were fully armed from plundering the Egyptians, Elohim didn’t want them to become fearful and return to Egypt if the Philistines attacked. He led them on a route by the Yam Suf or the Red Sea. They traveled from Sukkoth to Etam at the edge of the desert. Sukkoth is the same place where Jacob stayed after he met with Esau and put up ‘temporary shelters’ for himself, his family, and their livestock. As Joseph requested before he died, Moshe had his bones to be taken to the Promised Land.