It 's another double portion of Torah for the Shabbat of April 20/8 Iyar. The Scripture readings are: Vayikra/Leviticus 16.1-20.27; Amos 9:7-15; Messianic Jews/Hebrews 9:11-28; 1 Kefa/Peter 1:13-16.

This week's reading is once again a double Parasha. Parasha Acharei Mot and Kedoshim are often combined, except on a leap years, when they are read on two separate weeks. The Scriptures that caught my eye this year are found in Acharei Mot:

Vayikra {18:1} HaSHEM spoke to Moshe, saying, {18:2} Speak to the bnei of Yisrael (the Children of Israel), and tell them, I am HaSHEM your G-D. {18:3} After the doings of the land of Mizrayim (Egypt), in which you lived, you shall not do: and after the doings of the land of Cana'an, where I bring you, you shall not do; neither shall you walk in their statutes. {18:4} My huchim (rulings) shall you do, and my statutes shall you keep, to walk therein: I am HaSHEM your G-D. {18:5} You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my huchim; which if an ish (man) do, he shall live in them: I am HaSHEM.

There are many laws in our country that do not have a basis in G-d's law. There are many things that are legal and acceptable in our society which are contrary to G-d's commandments. A good example is abortion. Abortion is legal and acceptable in this country, however to G-d it is totally unacceptable. When such a conflict exists G-d is telling us here not to follow after the laws of the world (Egypt), but to adhere to His rulings and commandments. If we do as He has commanded, He has promised us life.

Vayikra {18:21} You shall not give any of your seed to make them pass through [the fire] to Molech; neither shall you profane the name of your G-D: I am HaSHEM.

In homage to Molech, the deity of the ancient Ammonites, parents would bring their new born babies to be sacrificed by fire. Molech was the god of fire. Since sacrificing the life of one's child to appease a false god, or a false ideology, creates a Chillul HaShem (desecration of G-d's Name), the Torah's prohibition against profaning G-d's Name is directly followed by a reference prohibiting the worship of Molech. What was peculiar about the god Molech, was that he required the killing of babies. A practice that G-d obviously abhors.

Only recently Canada was mourning the death of a past Prime Minister. The news media was filled with flowing praise of his accomplishments. They of course were touting all the wonderful things he had done for this country. Nothing however was said about the fact that this one Prime Minister perhaps single-handedly set the country on a course that will eventually destroy it. He championed a bill that would legalize the killing of babies. Just like babies were being killed in ancient Israel, they are now being killed in Canada. In fact there is hardly a country in the world today, where abortion is illegal (including Israel).

In essence modern abortion is the sacrificing of babies to the god of self. Many of the excuses people use to justify having an abortion are: "We can't afford anymore children." "This was an accident." "I'm not married." "I just can't handle another child at this time." And most recently: "The doctor told me this baby will be deformed."

Abortion is child sacrifice and its origins can be traced back to the incestuous act of Lot's daughters against their father. As a result of this incestuous relationship, two sons were born: Moab, the father of the Moabites (an idolatrous nation) and Ben-ammi, the father of the Ammonites. So we can see that the demon Molech originally gained a foothold on the earth through the incestuous act of Lot's daughters, which was prohibited by G-d in this Parasha.

Vayikra {18:6} None of you shall approach to any who are close relatives to him, to uncover [their] nakedness: I am HaSHEM. {18:7} The nakedness of your 'ab, even the nakedness of your 'em, you shall not uncover: she is your 'em; you shall not uncover her nakedness.

The Ammorites and their descendants became demon possessed through child sacrifice to the demon Molech and were ultimately destroyed by G-d.

The issue is not one of "choice". The issue is one of rebellion. To G-d, abortion is a heinous sin. If you choose to ignore G-d and exercise free choice, contrary to the will of G-d, you are in rebellion against G-d. There is therefore a clear danger of being demon possessed and coming under G-d's judgement.

That is what will happen on a personal level, but G-d has also reserved a special judgement for those nations who allow the sacrifice of their children. If on a national level this type of sin becomes acceptable, G-d will do to that nation as He has done to the Canaanites.

Vayikra {18:24} Don't defile yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the goyim (nations) are defiled which I cast out from before you; {18:25} The land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity of it on it, and the land vomits out her inhabitants.

Canada and all the countries, which now practice baby sacrifice, will be vomited out of their land. I believe, as He has done in the past, G-d is preparing a nation, more wicked then ourselves to torment us and perhaps destroy us. Abortion is not a choice. It is death to our nation.

Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2002