May 15, 2026: Torah Portion Parashat Bamidbar - “In The Desert” & Jerusalem Day!
- Elihana Elia
- 29 minutes ago
- 12 min read
In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Bamidbar - "In The Desert"
Torah Portion: Numbers 1:1-4:20
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-23
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Romans 9:22-33; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11
Rosh Chodesh: Sivan 1-2, 5786 Rosh Chodesh Sivan for the Hebrew Year 5786, begins at sundown on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 and ends at nightfall on Sunday, May 17th, 2026.
Restore Israel Team: Elihana Elia, Dr. Hadassah Elia & Devorah Silva
We will be reading the fourth book of the Torah, namely Sefer Bamidbar (ספר במדבר), or the Book of Numbers, in English.
But before we start, we honor Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) that commemorates the prophetic reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City on June 7, 1967 (falling on May 14th-15th this year), the 59th Anniversary, after the Six Day war.
We take this special opportunity to celebrate and commemorate together with Israel and Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is once again the capital of Israel – as in ancient days, in the days of the Bible. This was announced thousands of years ago through the prophets.
It is a great privilege to see and experience in our time how God’s Word is being fulfilled and how history is being written before our eyes.
על נהרות בבל - אליחנה אליה:
By The Rivers of Babylon - Elihana Elia (AL NAHAROT BAVEL):
Jerusalem is not merely a city in Scripture. It is a covenant place. A throne city. A battlefield. A prophetic sign. A place loved by the Father, wept over by Yeshua, fought over by empires, and remembered by generations of exiles.
In Hebrew, Jerusalem is Yerushalayim (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם)
The Bible calls Jerusalem:
“The City of the Great King”
“Zion”
“The joy of the whole earth”
“The place where God chose to put His Name”
“A cup of trembling to the nations”
“The throne of the LORD”
The Beginning of Jerusalem, long before King David, Jerusalem was known as Salem. Melchizedek was the King of Salem.
The first mention is in Genesis:
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” Genesis 14:18
Many believe Salem became Jerusalem. This city was already connected to worship, priesthood, and covenant.
Jerusalem also became forever marked by sacrifice. On Mount Moriah, Abraham was asked to offer Isaac.
“Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest… and offer him there.” Genesis 22:2
This mountain later became the location of the Temple. The place of Isaac’s near-sacrifice became the place where lambs would be sacrificed for generations — and where Messiah Himself would later give His life nearby.
David Conquers Jerusalem:
Around 1000 BC, King David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites.
“David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David.” 2 Samuel 5:7
David made Jerusalem the capital of Israel. Why Jerusalem? Because God chose it.
“For the LORD hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation.” Psalm 132:13
David longed to build a house for God, but Solomon his son built the First Temple.
The glory of God filled the Temple.
“The glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.” 1 Kings 8:11
Jerusalem became the spiritual center of Israel. Pilgrims came for:
Passover
Shavuot
Sukkot
Songs of ascent were sung as people climbed toward Zion.
ירושלים של זהב אליחנה אליה:
JERUSALEM OF GOLD - ELIHANA ELIA (LIVE IN JERUSALEM):
The Babylonian Destruction (586 BC):
Because of idolatry, injustice, and rebellion, judgment came. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Jerusalem. The Temple was burned, the walls were destroyed, and the people were exiled.
Psalm 137 — The Cry of Exile:
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.”
And the famous words:
“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.”
Psalm 137:5–6
Even in exile, Jerusalem lived inside the hearts of the Jewish people. For nearly 2,000 years, Jews ended weddings and prayers with:
“Next year in Jerusalem.”
Jerusalem of Gold/ Yerushalayim Shel Zahav (SHUVU ELAI/RETURN TO ME) - ELIHANA ELIA (Messianic version):
The Return and Second Temple:
After Babylon fell, Persia allowed the Jewish people to return. Leaders like these rebuilt Jerusalem and the Temple walls:
Zerubbabel
Ezra
Nehemiah
Nehemiah rebuilt amid opposition, threats, and warfare.
“The people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4:6
Jerusalem survived because ADONAI's covenant is eternal! He is a keeper of His Word! He watches over His Word to perform it!
"Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12
Jerusalem in Yeshua’s day was full of tension:
Roman occupation
Religious corruption
Longing for Messiah
Political unrest
And yet Yeshua loved Jerusalem deeply. He taught there, He healed there, He entered triumphantly there, He died there, and He rose nearby.
Yeshua Wept Over Jerusalem. One of the most heartbreaking moments in Scripture:
“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” Luke 19:41
Why did He weep? Because Jerusalem did not recognize the hour of its visitation.
“If you had known on this day, even you, the conditions for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:42
Yeshua foresaw the destruction, He saw the coming Roman siege, He saw suffering, He saw the Temple falling, and His heart broke.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37
This reveals the heart of God. Not hatred. Not abandonment. But yearning. A Father calling His children home.
The Romans under Titus destroyed Jerusalem. The Second Temple burned, hundreds of thousands died. Jewish people were scattered among the nations, and only parts of the retaining walls remained — including what is known today as the Western Wall.
Yet even after destruction, Jerusalem was never forgotten. Jerusalem was conquered repeatedly through history:
Babylonians
Persians
Greeks
Romans
Byzantines
Islamic Caliphates
Crusaders
Ottomans
British Empire
Yet no empire permanently possessed her, because Jerusalem belongs ultimately to the LORD! HalleluYah!
Modern Jerusalem:
1948 — Israel was Reborn! After the Holocaust, the State of Israel was reborn. Yet Jerusalem was divided. The Old City was under Jordanian control. Jewish access to the holy places was blocked.
During the Six-Day War, Israel regained the Old City of Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers reached the Western Wall. One of the famous declarations was:
“Har HaBayit b’yadeinu!”, which means, “The Temple Mount is in our hands!”
For many Jews worldwide, it felt like prophecy unfolding before their eyes.
Yom Yerushalayim celebrates this reunification!
Jerusalem in Prophecy:
Jerusalem remains central in biblical prophecy. The prophet Zechariah spoke often of Jerusalem:
“I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about.” Zechariah 12:2
“I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:9
“His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives.” Zechariah 14:4
The New Jerusalem:
The Bible ends with Jerusalem, not Babylon, not Rome, not any of the ancient empires that tried to conquer her. Instead, the book of Revelation talks about the New Jerusalem descending from heaven!
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.” Revelation 21:2
God’s story both begins and culminates with Jerusalem. Why does Jerusalem matter so deeply to God?
Jerusalem represents:
Covenant
Redemption
Worship
Suffering
Exile
Restoration
The return of the King!
It is where:
Abraham offered Isaac
David worshiped
Solomon built the Temple
Prophets cried out
Yeshua taught
Yeshua wept
Yeshua died
Yeshua rose
Messiah will return!
Jerusalem is a testimony that despite destruction, exile, persecution, and war — God remembers His promises!
Powerful Scriptures About Jerusalem:
“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.” Psalm 122:6
“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest.” Isaiah 62:1
“I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.” Zechariah 8:3
“16 The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; The earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
17 “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; Never again will foreigners invade her.” Joel 3:16–17
“Beautiful in elevation, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2
“For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3
📖 Torah Portion: Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1–4:20)
Our Torah portion for this week, Parashat Bamidbar (פרשת במדבר), begins the Book of Numbers (ספר במדבר), where the narrative begins precisely where the Book of Exodus left off, that is, with the glory of the LORD hovering over the Mishkan (Tabernacle) as the Israelites were stationed at Sinai (Exodus 40:38, Numbers 1:1).
On the first day of the thirteenth month following the Exodus from Egypt – exactly thirty days after the Tabernacle was first consecrated, God commanded Moses to take a census of all Israelite males over 20 years of age who would bear arms.
Moses counts 603,550 men of draftable age (20 to 60 years); This number did not include the Levites, however, since they were designated to take care of the Tabernacle during the journeys.
The tribe of Levi, numbering 22,300 males age one month and older, is counted separately. The Levites are to serve in the Sanctuary. They replace the firstborn, whose number they approximated, since they were disqualified when they participated in the worshipping of the Golden Calf. The 273 firstborn who lacked a Levite to replace them had to pay a five-shekel “ransom” to redeem themselves.
The LORD then gave instructions about how the Israelite camp was to be arranged. The Tabernacle would occupy the central location, with three clans of the Levites surrounding it on the north, south, and west (Moses and Aaron's tents were placed before the entrance on the east). The twelve other tribes were divided into four groups of three.
Beyond the Levite circle, the twelve tribes camped in four groups of three tribes each. To the east were Judah (pop. 74,600), Issachar (54,400) and Zebulun (57,400); to the south, Reuben (46,500), Simeon (59,300) and Gad (45,650); to the west, Ephraim (40,500), Manasseh (32,200) and Benjamin (35,400); and to the north, Dan (62,700), Asher (41,500) and Naphtali (53,400).
This formation was kept also while traveling. Each tribe had its own nassi (prince or leader), and its own flag with its tribal color and emblem.
All of the tents of the Israelites were to face the Tabernacle on every side. This camp formation was to be strictly maintained while traveling throughout the desert.
Rosh Chodesh Sivan: New Month of Revelation:
The third month of the Torah's calendar (as reckoned from the month of Nisan) is called Sivan a 30-day lunar month which usually begins during late May or early June. In the Torah, this month is simply called the third month סיון החודש השלישי: Chodesh Ha-Shlishi.
Though some time after the Babylonian Captivity, it assumed its present name. Sivan is mentioned only once in the Jewish Scriptures, in the Book of Esther (Esther 8:9).
Since Sivan always has 30 full days, Rosh Chodesh Sivan (the celebration of the new month) is observed for only one day. The rabbis call the second day of Sivan Yom Hameyuchat (The Day of Distinction), since on this day the people agreed to accept the Torah, and upon their ratification Moses instructed the people to prepare themselves to become "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6-8).
In some circles this day of distinction is celebrated as a minor festival. On the third day of month the LORD instructed Moses to set a boundary (Hagbalah) for the people around the mountain in preparation for the coming revelation to be given (Exodus 19:9-15).
These three days are called the "Three Days of Separation" (Sheloshet Yemei Hagbalah): ְשׁל ֶשׁת יְ ֵמי ַה ְגּ to prepare for the revelation on Sivan 6th: Make yourselves ready by the third day (Exodus 19:11,15).
The first five days of the month of Sivan anticipate the day that the Torah was revealed to Israel at Sinai, namely, on the sixth of Sivan, a date which the rabbis later associated with the holiday of Shavuot (Weeks or Pentecost), which occurred exactly seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt.
Nowadays, on the night of Shavuot, it is customary to stay up all night reading selections from the Torah until sunrise. This custom is called Tikkun Leil Shavuot: תּקּוּן לֵיל ָשׁבוּעוֹת (Rectification for Shavuot Night), and was instituted as a remedy for Israel's failures to be awake on the morning of the revelation (the midrash scolds the people who overslept on the morning of the revelation and needed to be roused to salute the King).
Spiritually speaking, then, the month of Sivan represents the giving of the Torah to Israel (z'man mattan Toratenu: זְמַן מַתַּן תּוֹרָתֵינוּ), when the drama which began with the Exodus from Egypt culminated with the giving of the Torah.
Right now the people of Israel need to be awakened to the fact that their sins are an abomination to the God of Israel! The remedy for Israel's failures is to repent and turn away from their sins, and turn toward Adonai, choosing to walk in His ways, according to the Torah they had originally agreed to follow!
While the Giborim Israel (Heroes of Israel) are in battle fighting Iran, in Gaza, and up north against Hezbollah, the gays are defiling the land with the gay parade and their banners stolen from the promise of Adonai, which is the 🌈 rainbow today!
The enemy tries to bring the stench into the nostrils of our ABBA, in order to cause Israel to lose the battle. But we DECLARE AND DECREE TODAY THAT THOSE INVADERS OF THE HOLY LAND DO NOT REPRESENT THE CHOSEN NATION!
Today Parashah Bamidbar (in the desert) shows us the ELECTION OF ELOHIM toward His chosen people of Israel, called to be a Holy Nation! What an ironic fact, in the midst of the flags of pride that are flying in Israel, to irate our ABBA!
As Intercessors today we pray for mercy and grace super abundant revelation of the Truth of Messiah Yeshua, causing His people to be set FREE!
"31 Then Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples. 32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!” John 8:31-32
We speak freedom over the families and people of Israel, to choose life , to say YES to Yeshua, the true salvation of Israel!
As mentioned earlier, the month of Sivan represents the giving of the Torah to Israel (Z'man Mattan Toratenu).
For Messianic believers, the month of Sivan also commemorates the giving of the Ruach Ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) to the followers of Yeshua after His ascension into heaven.
Let's pray then, that as the people of Israel begin reading through the Torah, on Shavuot, the Scriptures will come alive to them! That the Ruach Ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) would come down upon them, giving them supernatural revelation of Messiah Yeshua, in the Torah!
In 1968, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel declared on Iyyar 28 (which, this year, falls on today, May 15th, 2026) to be a minor holiday to thank God for answering the 2,000-year-old prayer of "Next Year in Jerusalem."
On March 23,1998, the Knesset passed the Jerusalem Day Law, making it a
national holiday.
Friends, how can we forget Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem?
"But you have come to Mount Zion—to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, a joyous gathering," Hebrews 12:22
Is she not our mother?
"But the Jerusalem above is free—she is our mother." Galatians 4:26
Are we not her citizens, indeed, her exiles in this age? As the psalmist said,
"If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!" Psalm 137:5-6.
Of course we are instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 126:6), but we are further told to "Give the LORD no rest" until he makes Zion "the praise of the earth" Isaiah 62:7
"17This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. 19 Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me.”
20 Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.”
21 They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.
22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 48:17- 22
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