Study Desk

So keep my charge not to follow any of these abominable customs that others before you have followed and thus defile yourselves by doing them. I am Adonai your God.'" Haftarah Acharei Mot: Yechezk'el (Ezekiel) 22:1–19 (A); 22:1–16 (S) B'rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Acharei Mot: Romans 3:19–28; 9:30 –10:13; 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 with 2 Corinthians 2:1–11; Galatians 3:10–14; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 7:23–10:25

"Speak to the entire community of Isra'el; tell them, ‘You people are to be holy because I, Adonai your God, am holy.

"‘Every one of you is to revere his father and mother, and you are to keep my Shabbats; I am Adonai your God.

"‘Do not turn to idols, and do not cast metal gods for yourselves; I am Adonai your God.

Likewise, don't gather the grapes left on the vine or fallen on the ground after harvest; leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am Adonai your God.

Do not swear by my name falsely, which would be profaning the name of your God; I am Adonai .

"‘Do not speak a curse against a deaf person or place an obstacle in the way of a blind person; rather, fear your God; I am Adonai .

"‘Do not go around spreading slander among your people, but also don't stand idly by when your neighbor's life is at stake; I am Adonai .

Don't take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, love your neighbor as yourself; I am Adonai .

But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit, so that it will produce even more for you; I am Adonai your God.

Don't cut gashes in your flesh when someone dies or tattoo yourselves; I am Adonai .

"‘Keep my Shabbats, and revere my sanctuary; I am Adonai .

"‘Do not turn to spirit-mediums or sorcerers; don't seek them out, to be defiled by them; I am Adonai your God.

"‘Stand up in the presence of a person with gray hair, show respect for the old; you are to fear your God; I am Adonai .

Rather, treat the foreigner staying with you like the native-born among you — you are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt; I am Adonai your God.

Rather, use an honest balance-scale, honest weights, an honest bushel dry-measure and an honest gallon liquid-measure; I am Adonai your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Observe all my regulations and rulings, and do them; I am Adonai .'"

Therefore consecrate yourselves — you people must be holy, because I am Adonai your God.

(RY: vii, LY: vi) Observe my regulations, and obey them; I am Adonai , who sets you apart to be holy.

"‘You are to observe all my regulations and rulings and act on them, so that the land to which I am bringing you will not vomit you out.