Deuteronomy 5: Shoftim
Judges, Justice, Conduct. Deuteronomy
16:18 to 21:9
Shoftim
The portion this week is called "Shoftim"
meaning "Judges".
It extends from Deuteronomy 16:18 to 21:9
s.1
[Deuteronomy 16:18] JUDGES AND OFFICERS SHALT THOU MAKE THEE IN ALL THY GATES,
WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE, THROUGHOUT THY TRIBES: AND THEY SHALL JUDGE
THE PEOPLE WITH JUST JUDGMENT.
A system of responsible
rulership
was required.
Judges and policemen were needed.
Each tribe had to set up its own system adapted to its own needs and locally
responsible.
[Deuteronomy 16:19] THOU SHALT NOT WREST JUDGMENT; THOU SHALT NOT RESPECT
PERSONS, NEITHER TAKE A GIFT: FOR A GIFT DOTH BLIND THE EYES OF THE WISE, AND
PERVERT THE WORDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
It was forbidden to show favoritism,
forbidden to take bribes.
Even taking money, presents, or favors, to do the right thing that one would do
anyway was forbidden.
[Deuteronomy 16:20] THAT WHICH IS ALTOGETHER JUST SHALT THOU FOLLOW, THAT THOU
MAYEST LIVE, AND INHERIT THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE.
The ability to live normally and the
inheritance of the Land was contingent on maintaining a system of justice.
People need to be able to trust each other and the authorities they live under.
These days people often lack faith in the police and in the court system and in
local authorities.
THAT WHICH IS ALTOGETHER JUST
SHALT THOU FOLLOW. In Hebrew "Tsedek
tsedek
tirdaf"
i.e. You shall pursue vigorously complete justice in every way.
A very high standard was expected of public officials and of private people in
their inter-personal relationships.
THAT WHICH IS ALTOGETHER JUST SHALT THOU FOLLOW. In Hebrew "Tsedek tsedek tirdaf" literally
"Justice, justice you shall pursue after" i.e. double justice, justice that is certain.
The word in Hebrew used here for justice is Tsedek. In the Aramaic Paraphrase-Translation of Onkelos this word is here translated as "Kushta"
i.e. TRUTH.
Justice is the Truth and the Truth is Justice. We must recognize the truth and own up to it and pursue our course by going after (pursuing)
that which is true.
[Deuteronomy 16:21] THOU SHALT NOT PLANT THEE A GROVE OF ANY TREES NEAR UNTO THE
ALTAR OF THE LORD THY GOD, WHICH THOU SHALT MAKE THEE.
This commandment against idolatry
follows the injunction to maintain justice and public responsibility. The Sages
saw a link between the two.
Lack of Public Responsibility is similar to idolatry and could lead to it.
[Deuteronomy 16:22] NEITHER SHALT THOU SET THEE UP ANY IMAGE; WHICH THE LORD THY
GOD HATETH.
[Deuteronomy 17:1] THOU SHALT NOT SACRIFICE UNTO THE LORD THY GOD ANY BULLOCK,
OR SHEEP, WHEREIN IS BLEMISH, OR ANY EVILFAVOUREDNESS: FOR THAT IS AN
ABOMINATION UNTO THE LORD THY GOD.
There is an important principle here. It
was forbidden to sacrifice a blemished animal. It is sometimes necessary NOT to
do something than to do it improperly.
[Deuteronomy 17:2] IF THERE BE FOUND AMONG YOU, WITHIN ANY OF THY GATES WHICH
THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE, MAN OR WOMAN, THAT HATH WROUGHT WICKEDNESS IN THE
SIGHT OF THE LORD THY GOD, IN TRANSGRESSING HIS COVENANT,
[Deuteronomy 17:3] AND HATH GONE AND SERVED OTHER GODS, AND WORSHIPPED THEM,
EITHER THE SUN, OR MOON, OR ANY OF THE HOST OF HEAVEN, WHICH I HAVE NOT
COMMANDED;
[Deuteronomy 17:4] AND IT BE TOLD THEE, AND THOU HAST HEARD OF IT, AND ENQUIRED
DILIGENTLY, AND, BEHOLD, IT BE TRUE, AND THE THING CERTAIN, THAT SUCH
ABOMINATION IS WROUGHT IN ISRAEL:
[Deuteronomy 17:5] THEN SHALT THOU BRING FORTH THAT MAN OR THAT WOMAN, WHICH
HAVE COMMITTED THAT WICKED THING, UNTO THY GATES, EVEN THAT MAN OR THAT WOMAN,
AND SHALT STONE THEM WITH STONES, TILL THEY DIE.
Idolatry was forbidden.
[Deuteronomy 17:6] AT THE MOUTH OF TWO WITNESSES, OR THREE WITNESSES, SHALL HE
THAT IS WORTHY OF DEATH BE PUT TO DEATH; BUT AT THE MOUTH OF ONE WITNESS HE
SHALL NOT BE PUT TO DEATH.
[Deuteronomy 17:7] THE HANDS OF THE WITNESSES SHALL BE FIRST UPON HIM TO PUT HIM
TO DEATH, AND AFTERWARD THE HANDS OF ALL THE PEOPLE. SO THOU SHALT PUT THE EVIL
AWAY FROM AMONG YOU.
There follows an important commandment
that encompasses justification for the Oral Tradition.
[Deuteronomy 17:8] IF THERE ARISE A MATTER TOO HARD FOR THEE IN JUDGMENT,
BETWEEN BLOOD AND BLOOD, BETWEEN PLEA AND PLEA, AND BETWEEN STROKE AND STROKE,
BEING MATTERS OF CONTROVERSY WITHIN THY GATES: THEN SHALT THOU ARISE, AND GET
THEE UP INTO THE PLACE WHICH THE LORD THY GOD SHALL CHOOSE;
[Deuteronomy 17:9] AND THOU SHALT COME UNTO THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES, AND UNTO
THE JUDGE THAT SHALL BE IN THOSE DAYS, AND ENQUIRE; AND THEY SHALL SHEW THEE THE
SENTENCE OF JUDGMENT:
#THAT SHALL BE IN THOSE DAYS. We have to
refer to recognized authorities and experts in our own time even though we feel
that those of previous generations understood the situation differently and may
have given us answers more to our liking.
[Deuteronomy 17:10] AND THOU SHALT DO ACCORDING TO THE SENTENCE, WHICH THEY OF
THAT PLACE WHICH THE LORD SHALL CHOOSE SHALL SHEW THEE; AND THOU SHALT OBSERVE
TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THEY INFORM THEE:
The Commandments must be obeyed
according to how the Sages tell us to obey them.
All doubts must be referred to them. They decide. It is not logical that each
and every person would decide for themselves how to obey commandments so that
they were all keeping them differently. There was communal responsibility.
Someone who disobeyed could be executed. Therefore there needed to be system of
accepted communal agreement as to how the Law should be kept.
[Deuteronomy 17:11] ACCORDING TO THE SENTENCE OF THE LAW WHICH THEY SHALL TEACH
THEE, AND ACCORDING TO THE JUDGMENT WHICH THEY SHALL TELL THEE, THOU SHALT DO:
THOU SHALT NOT DECLINE FROM THE SENTENCE WHICH THEY SHALL SHEW THEE, TO THE
RIGHT HAND, NOR TO THE LEFT.
[Deuteronomy 17:12] AND THE MAN THAT WILL DO PRESUMPTUOUSLY, AND WILL NOT
HEARKEN UNTO THE PRIEST THAT STANDETH TO MINISTER THERE BEFORE THE LORD THY GOD,
OR UNTO THE JUDGE, EVEN THAT MAN SHALL DIE: AND THOU SHALT PUT AWAY THE EVIL
FROM ISRAEL.
At first there was Moses and the seventy
elders.
After that in each generation there were the Sanhedrin of Seventy Sages and
smaller courts for local cases. A body of precedents and legal apparatus for
making decisions grew up. This still exists. Today it is represented by the
general consensus amongst recognized Orthodox Jewish Rabbis.
[Deuteronomy 17:13] AND ALL THE PEOPLE SHALL HEAR, AND FEAR, AND DO NO MORE
PRESUMPTUOUSLY.
s.2
[Deuteronomy 17:14] WHEN THOU ART COME UNTO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD
GIVETH THEE, AND SHALT POSSESS IT, AND SHALT DWELL THEREIN, AND SHALT SAY, I
WILL SET A KING OVER ME, LIKE AS ALL THE NATIONS THAT ARE ABOUT ME.
[Deuteronomy 17:15] THOU SHALT IN ANY WISE SET HIM KING OVER THEE, WHOM THE LORD
THY GOD SHALL CHOOSE: ONE FROM AMONG THY BRETHREN SHALT THOU SET KING OVER THEE:
THOU MAYEST NOT SET A STRANGER OVER THEE, WHICH IS NOT THY BROTHER.
THOU
SHALT
IN ANY WISE SET HIM KING. In Hebrew "Som
Ta-Sim
oleca
Melec"
which has an emphatic connotation. We were commanded to set the King over us
i.e. respect his authority. This applies to all authority. We should respect
those in authority even when we doubt whether they deserve it.
#THOU MAYEST
NOT SET A STRANGER OVER THEE. The King had to be an Israelite.
From this was learned the general injunction that for all matters of authority
only native-born Israelites could be appointed.
The Jewish State of Israel is forbidden to surrender any of its authority and
power of jurisdiction to non-Jews.
The Oslo Peace Accords were a dastardly crime and we said so at the time, as
veteran readers of our writings will testify.
Unfortunately time has vindicated the warnings we then made
The Israelite Peoples are forbidden to give up any of their sovereignty.
British Membership of the EU
is probably against the Torah.
The same may apply to the proposed North American Union (NAU).
[Deuteronomy 17:16] BUT HE SHALL NOT MULTIPLY HORSES TO HIMSELF, NOR CAUSE THE
PEOPLE TO RETURN TO EGYPT, TO THE END THAT HE SHOULD MULTIPLY HORSES: FORASMUCH
AS THE LORD HATH SAID UNTO YOU, YE SHALL HENCEFORTH RETURN NO MORE THAT
WAY.
[Deuteronomy 17:17] NEITHER SHALL HE MULTIPLY WIVES TO HIMSELF, THAT HIS HEART
TURN NOT AWAY: NEITHER SHALL HE GREATLY MULTIPLY TO HIMSELF SILVER AND GOLD.
The King was allowed to have 18 wives.
[Deuteronomy 17:18] AND IT SHALL BE, WHEN HE SITTETH UPON THE THRONE OF HIS
KINGDOM, THAT HE SHALL WRITE HIM A COPY OF THIS LAW IN A BOOK OUT OF THAT WHICH
IS BEFORE THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES:
The King had to write his own Torah
scroll. Most Torah Scrolls are quite large but very small ones that may be
carried around with ease also exist.
[Deuteronomy 17:19] AND IT SHALL BE WITH HIM, AND HE SHALL READ THEREIN ALL THE
DAYS OF HIS LIFE: THAT HE MAY LEARN TO FEAR THE LORD HIS GOD, TO KEEP ALL THE
WORDS OF THIS LAW AND THESE STATUTES, TO DO THEM:
The King had to keep this Copy of the
Torah Scroll that he himself had written with him at all times and read it
frequently.
[Deuteronomy 17:20] THAT HIS HEART BE NOT LIFTED UP ABOVE HIS BRETHREN, AND THAT
HE TURN NOT ASIDE FROM THE COMMANDMENT, TO THE RIGHT HAND, OR TO THE LEFT: TO
THE END THAT HE MAY PROLONG HIS DAYS IN HIS KINGDOM, HE, AND HIS CHILDREN, IN
THE MIDST OF ISRAEL.
The King was commanded to be humble in
his own eyes and not consider himself better than others. Nevertheless others
still had to respect him.
s.3
[Deuteronomy 18:1] THE PRIESTS THE LEVITES, AND ALL THE TRIBE OF LEVI, SHALL
HAVE NO PART NOR INHERITANCE WITH ISRAEL: THEY SHALL EAT THE OFFERINGS OF THE
LORD MADE BY FIRE, AND HIS INHERITANCE.
The Tribe of Levi was not to receive its
own Tribal Inheritance but rather scattered settlements throughout Israel.
[Deuteronomy 18:2] THEREFORE SHALL THEY HAVE NO INHERITANCE AMONG THEIR
BRETHREN: THE LORD IS THEIR INHERITANCE, AS HE HATH SAID UNTO THEM.
The Tribe of Levi had an extra moral
obligation to serve the Almighty however they could. God is their portion.
[Deuteronomy 18:3] AND THIS SHALL BE THE PRIEST'S DUE FROM THE PEOPLE, FROM THEM
THAT OFFER A SACRIFICE, WHETHER IT BE OX OR SHEEP; AND THEY SHALL GIVE UNTO THE
PRIEST THE SHOULDER, AND THE TWO CHEEKS, AND THE MAW.
The Priests (Cohens)
were to receive from every animal that was slaughtered the forelimb, the tongue
and surrounding cheeks, stomach and surrounding fat .
[Deuteronomy 18:4] THE FIRSTFRUIT ALSO OF THY CORN, OF THY WINE, AND OF THINE
OIL, AND THE FIRST OF THE FLEECE OF THY SHEEP, SHALT THOU GIVE HIM.
The Priests (Cohens)
were also to receive the
firstfruits of the primary
agricultural produce and that which was processed from it i.e. the wine and the
oil. They were also to receive first wool of the shearing.
In our time we should support they who teach us the words of Torah.
Brit-Am should also be supported.
[Deuteronomy 18:5] FOR THE LORD THY GOD HATH CHOSEN HIM OUT OF ALL THY TRIBES,
TO STAND TO MINISTER IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, HIM AND HIS SONS FOR EVER.
s.4
[Deuteronomy 18:6] AND IF A LEVITE COME FROM ANY OF THY GATES OUT OF ALL ISRAEL,
WHERE HE SOJOURNED, AND COME WITH ALL THE DESIRE OF HIS MIND UNTO THE PLACE
WHICH THE LORD SHALL CHOOSE;
[Deuteronomy 18:7] THEN HE SHALL MINISTER IN THE NAME OF THE LORD HIS GOD, AS
ALL HIS BRETHREN THE LEVITES DO, WHICH STAND THERE BEFORE THE LORD.
[Deuteronomy 18:8] THEY SHALL HAVE LIKE PORTIONS TO EAT, BESIDE THAT WHICH
COMETH OF THE SALE OF HIS PATRIMONY.
Levites and
Cohens
had to be given their fair share in the offerings and reasonably equal
opportunity to do those services (such as officiating in the Temple) that
resulted in payment.
Everybody needs to be paid for what they do. They deserve it and expect it. Even
if they say they do not want payment and genuinely seem to mean it one should be
careful.
[Deuteronomy 18:9] WHEN THOU ART COME INTO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD
GIVETH THEE, THOU SHALT NOT LEARN TO DO AFTER THE ABOMINATIONS OF THOSE NATIONS.
[Deuteronomy 18:10] THERE SHALL NOT BE FOUND AMONG YOU ANY ONE THAT MAKETH HIS
SON OR HIS DAUGHTER TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, OR THAT USETH DIVINATION, OR AN
OBSERVER OF TIMES, OR AN ENCHANTER, OR A WITCH.
This practice of passing through the
fire was practiced recently in Ireland, England, and Scandinavia. In northern
England it was known as Beltane meaning "fire of
Bel".
http://britam.org/namesakes.html
##At
Beltain
two "needfires"
were lighted among the Gael, between which they drove their cattle for
purification and luck; ##
[Ezekiel 16:21] THAT THOU HAST SLAIN MY CHILDREN, AND DELIVERED THEM TO CAUSE
THEM TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE FOR THEM?
This is the
Beltain
which symbolically was still practiced until recently in Britain and Scandinavia
and elsewhere: People and animals would be led between or over small fires on
certain days of the year. It was called "Beltain"
in Britain which is Celtic for "Fire of
baal".
See Brit-Am Commentary
http://britam.org/hosea2.html
to
[Hosea 2:8] FOR SHE DID NOT KNOW THAT I GAVE HER CORN, AND WINE, AND OIL, AND
MULTIPLIED HER SILVER AND GOLD, WHICH THEY PREPARED FOR BAAL.
The Peoples of Scandinavia, Gaul, and
the British Isles worshipped Bel
(BaaL)
and had other pagan practices similar to those of the Land of Canaan. They were
Israelites who had been exiled for copying the heathen religions of their
Canaanite neighbors. They were therefore exiled from the Land of Israel as a
punishment (2-Kings chs.
17 and 18) and apparently even in their places of exile continued to practice
aspects of the Canaanite religion.
[Deuteronomy 18:11] OR A CHARMER, OR A CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS, OR A
WIZARD, OR A NECROMANCER.
[Deuteronomy 18:12] FOR ALL THAT DO THESE THINGS ARE AN ABOMINATION UNTO THE
LORD: AND BECAUSE OF THESE ABOMINATIONS THE LORD THY GOD DOTH DRIVE THEM OUT
FROM BEFORE THEE.
[Deuteronomy 18:13] THOU SHALT BE PERFECT WITH THE LORD THY GOD.
PERFECT. Hebrew "tamim"
also connoting innocent, simple, trusting.
Do as well as you can and trust
in the Almighty.
We are forbidden to go to witches. Astrology is also questionable.
Seances
etc are forbidden. Participation in Hindu religious festivals voodoo cults etc
is also forbidden.
Even being superstitious in a Biblical sense may be questionable.
One needs to be careful.
s.5
[Deuteronomy 18:14] FOR THESE NATIONS, WHICH THOU SHALT POSSESS, HEARKENED UNTO
OBSERVERS OF TIMES, AND UNTO DIVINERS: BUT AS FOR THEE, THE LORD THY GOD HATH
NOT SUFFERED THEE SO TO DO.
[Deuteronomy 18:15] THE LORD THY GOD WILL RAISE UP UNTO THEE A PROPHET FROM THE
MIDST OF THEE, OF THY BRETHREN, LIKE UNTO ME; UNTO HIM YE SHALL HEARKEN;
[Deuteronomy 18:16] ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THOU DESIREDST OF THE LORD THY GOD IN
HOREB IN THE DAY OF THE ASSEMBLY, SAYING, LET ME NOT HEAR AGAIN THE VOICE OF
THE LORD MY GOD, NEITHER LET ME SEE THIS GREAT FIRE ANY MORE, THAT I DIE NOT.
[Deuteronomy 18:17] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME, THEY HAVE WELL SPOKEN THAT WHICH
THEY HAVE SPOKEN.
[Deuteronomy 18:18] I WILL RAISE THEM UP A PROPHET FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN,
LIKE UNTO THEE, AND WILL PUT MY WORDS IN HIS MOUTH; AND HE SHALL SPEAK UNTO THEM
ALL THAT I SHALL COMMAND HIM.
[Deuteronomy 18:19] AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT WHOSOEVER WILL NOT HEARKEN
UNTO MY WORDS WHICH HE SHALL SPEAK IN MY NAME, I WILL REQUIRE IT OF HIM.
These days we no longer have Prophets
though perhaps soon we will have. Nevertheless we do have the Bible and the
Prophets who spoke to us in the Bible and we need to listen to them.
[Deuteronomy 18:20] BUT THE PROPHET, WHICH SHALL PRESUME TO SPEAK A WORD IN MY
NAME, WHICH I HAVE NOT COMMANDED HIM TO SPEAK, OR THAT SHALL SPEAK IN THE NAME
OF OTHER GODS, EVEN THAT PROPHET SHALL DIE.
Someone who claims to have received a
direct message from the Almighty was to be tested. If he was found to be
speaking falsehood he was to be killed.
The test of a false prophet was someone whom claimed to have a direct message
from God concerning the future and what he said would happen did not come to
pass.
[Deuteronomy 18:21] AND IF THOU SAY IN THINE HEART, HOW SHALL WE KNOW THE WORD
WHICH THE LORD HATH NOT SPOKEN?
[Deuteronomy 18:22] WHEN A PROPHET SPEAKETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, IF THE
THING FOLLOW NOT, NOR COME TO PASS, THAT IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD HATH NOT
SPOKEN, BUT THE PROPHET HATH SPOKEN IT PRESUMPTUOUSLY: THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID
OF HIM.
[Deuteronomy 19:1] WHEN THE LORD THY GOD HATH CUT OFF THE NATIONS, WHOSE LAND
THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE, AND THOU SUCCEEDEST THEM, AND DWELLEST IN THEIR
CITIES, AND IN THEIR HOUSES;
[Deuteronomy 19:2] THOU SHALT SEPARATE THREE CITIES FOR THEE IN THE MIDST OF THY
LAND, WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE TO POSSESS IT.
They had already been commanded to set
aside six cities; three east of the Jordan and another three to the west of the
Jordan. Maimonides
understood this commandment to set aside an additional three (i.e. nine
altogether) when the Israelites should expand their borders BEYOND those of the
Promised Land!
[Deuteronomy 19:3] THOU SHALT PREPARE THEE A WAY, AND DIVIDE THE COASTS OF THY
LAND, WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE TO INHERIT, INTO THREE PARTS, THAT
EVERY SLAYER MAY FLEE THITHER.
[Deuteronomy 19:4] AND THIS IS THE CASE OF THE SLAYER, WHICH SHALL FLEE THITHER,
THAT HE MAY LIVE: WHOSO KILLETH HIS NEIGHBOUR IGNORANTLY, WHOM HE HATED NOT IN
TIME PAST;
[Deuteronomy 19:5] AS WHEN A MAN GOETH INTO THE WOOD WITH HIS NEIGHBOUR TO HEW
WOOD, AND HIS HAND FETCHETH A STROKE WITH THE AXE TO CUT DOWN THE TREE, AND THE
HEAD SLIPPETH FROM THE HELVE, AND LIGHTETH UPON HIS NEIGHBOUR, THAT HE DIE; HE
SHALL FLEE UNTO ONE OF THOSE CITIES, AND LIVE:
[Deuteronomy 19:6] LEST THE AVENGER OF THE BLOOD PURSUE THE SLAYER, WHILE HIS
HEART IS HOT, AND OVERTAKE HIM, BECAUSE THE WAY IS LONG, AND SLAY HIM; WHEREAS
HE WAS NOT WORTHY OF DEATH, INASMUCH AS HE HATED HIM NOT IN TIME PAST.
[Deuteronomy 19:7] WHEREFORE I COMMAND THEE, SAYING, THOU SHALT SEPARATE THREE
CITIES FOR THEE.
[Deuteronomy 19:8] AND IF THE LORD THY GOD ENLARGE THY COAST, AS HE HATH SWORN
UNTO THY FATHERS, AND GIVE THEE ALL THE LAND WHICH HE PROMISED TO GIVE UNTO THY
FATHERS;
[Deuteronomy 19:9] IF THOU SHALT KEEP ALL THESE COMMANDMENTS TO DO THEM, WHICH I
COMMAND THEE THIS DAY, TO LOVE THE LORD THY GOD, AND TO WALK EVER IN HIS WAYS;
THEN SHALT THOU ADD THREE CITIES MORE FOR THEE, BESIDE THESE
THREE:
[Deuteronomy 19:10] THAT INNOCENT BLOOD BE NOT SHED IN THY LAND, WHICH THE LORD
THY GOD GIVETH THEE FOR AN INHERITANCE, AND SO BLOOD BE UPON THEE.
[Deuteronomy 19:11] BUT IF ANY MAN HATE HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND LIE IN WAIT FOR HIM,
AND RISE UP AGAINST HIM, AND SMITE HIM MORTALLY THAT HE DIE, AND FLEETH INTO
ONE OF THESE CITIES:
[Deuteronomy 19:12] THEN THE ELDERS OF HIS CITY SHALL SEND AND FETCH HIM THENCE,
AND DELIVER HIM INTO THE HAND OF THE AVENGER OF BLOOD, THAT HE MAY DIE.
[Deuteronomy 19:13] THINE EYE SHALL NOT PITY HIM, BUT THOU SHALT PUT AWAY THE
GUILT OF INNOCENT BLOOD FROM ISRAEL, THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH THEE.
s.6
[Deuteronomy 19:14] THOU SHALT NOT REMOVE THY NEIGHBOUR'S LANDMARK, WHICH THEY
OF OLD TIME HAVE SET IN THINE INHERITANCE, WHICH THOU SHALT INHERIT IN THE LAND
THAT THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE TO POSSESS IT.
[Deuteronomy 19:15] ONE WITNESS SHALL NOT RISE UP AGAINST A MAN FOR ANY
INIQUITY, OR FOR ANY SIN, IN ANY SIN THAT HE SINNETH: AT THE MOUTH OF TWO
WITNESSES, OR AT THE MOUTH OF THREE WITNESSES, SHALL THE MATTER BE ESTABLISHED.
[Deuteronomy 19:16] IF A FALSE WITNESS RISE UP AGAINST ANY MAN TO TESTIFY
AGAINST HIM THAT WHICH IS WRONG;
[Deuteronomy 19:17] THEN BOTH THE MEN, BETWEEN WHOM THE CONTROVERSY IS, SHALL
STAND BEFORE THE LORD, BEFORE THE PRIESTS AND THE JUDGES, WHICH SHALL BE IN
THOSE DAYS;
[Deuteronomy 19:18] AND THE JUDGES SHALL MAKE DILIGENT INQUISITION: AND, BEHOLD,
IF THE WITNESS BE A FALSE WITNESS, AND HATH TESTIFIED FALSELY AGAINST HIS
BROTHER;
[Deuteronomy 19:19] THEN SHALL YE DO UNTO HIM, AS HE HAD THOUGHT TO HAVE DONE
UNTO HIS BROTHER: SO SHALT THOU PUT THE EVIL AWAY FROM AMONG YOU.
[Deuteronomy 19:20] AND THOSE WHICH REMAIN SHALL HEAR, AND FEAR, AND SHALL
HENCEFORTH COMMIT NO MORE ANY SUCH EVIL AMONG YOU.
[Deuteronomy 19:21] AND THINE EYE SHALL NOT PITY; BUT LIFE SHALL GO FOR LIFE,
EYE FOR EYE, TOOTH FOR TOOTH, HAND FOR HAND, FOOT FOR FOOT.
[Deuteronomy 20:1] WHEN THOU GOEST OUT TO BATTLE AGAINST THINE ENEMIES, AND
SEEST HORSES, AND CHARIOTS, AND A PEOPLE MORE THAN THOU, BE NOT AFRAID OF THEM:
FOR THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE, WHICH BROUGHT THEE UP OUT OF THE LAND OF
EGYPT.
When Israelites went to war they were
forbidden to be afraid even when the adversary was stronger and more numerous
and warlike.
[Deuteronomy 20:2] AND IT SHALL BE, WHEN YE ARE COME NIGH UNTO THE BATTLE, THAT
THE PRIEST SHALL APPROACH AND SPEAK UNTO THE PEOPLE,
This Priest was a specially appointed
and known as "Mashiach
Milchamah"
i.e. Appointed for War. His task was to encourage the Hebrews to fight well,
without fear, in the knowledge that the Almighty God of Israel was on their
side.
[Deuteronomy 20:3] AND SHALL SAY UNTO THEM, HEAR, O ISRAEL, YE APPROACH THIS DAY
UNTO BATTLE AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES: LET NOT YOUR HEARTS FAINT, FEAR NOT, AND DO
NOT TREMBLE, NEITHER BE YE TERRIFIED BECAUSE OF THEM;
[Deuteronomy 20:4] FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS HE THAT GOETH WITH YOU, TO FIGHT FOR
YOU AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES, TO SAVE YOU.
[Deuteronomy 20:5] AND THE OFFICERS SHALL SPEAK UNTO THE PEOPLE, SAYING, WHAT
MAN IS THERE THAT HATH BUILT A NEW HOUSE, AND HATH NOT DEDICATED IT? LET HIM GO
AND RETURN TO HIS HOUSE, LEST HE DIE IN THE BATTLE, AND ANOTHER MAN DEDICATE
IT.
s.7
[Deuteronomy 20:6] AND WHAT MAN IS HE THAT HATH PLANTED A VINEYARD, AND HATH NOT
YET EATEN OF IT? LET HIM ALSO GO AND RETURN UNTO HIS HOUSE, LEST HE DIE IN THE
BATTLE, AND ANOTHER MAN EAT OF IT.
[Deuteronomy 20:7] AND WHAT MAN IS THERE THAT HATH BETROTHED A WIFE, AND HATH
NOT TAKEN HER? LET HIM GO AND RETURN UNTO HIS HOUSE, LEST HE DIE IN THE BATTLE,
AND ANOTHER MAN TAKE HER.
[Deuteronomy 20:8] AND THE OFFICERS SHALL SPEAK FURTHER UNTO THE PEOPLE, AND
THEY SHALL SAY, WHAT MAN IS THERE THAT IS FEARFUL AND FAINTHEARTED? LET HIM GO
AND RETURN UNTO HIS HOUSE, LEST HIS BRETHREN'S HEART FAINT AS WELL AS HIS
HEART.
[Deuteronomy 20:9] AND IT SHALL BE, WHEN THE OFFICERS HAVE MADE AN END OF
SPEAKING UNTO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY SHALL MAKE CAPTAINS OF THE ARMIES TO LEAD
THE PEOPLE.
[Deuteronomy 20:10] WHEN THOU COMEST NIGH UNTO A CITY TO FIGHT AGAINST IT, THEN
PROCLAIM PEACE UNTO IT.
[Deuteronomy 20:11] AND IT SHALL BE, IF IT MAKE THEE ANSWER OF PEACE, AND OPEN
UNTO THEE, THEN IT SHALL BE, THAT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT IS FOUND THEREIN SHALL BE
TRIBUTARIES UNTO THEE, AND THEY SHALL SERVE THEE.
[Deuteronomy 20:12] AND IF IT WILL MAKE NO PEACE WITH THEE, BUT WILL MAKE WAR
AGAINST THEE, THEN THOU SHALT BESIEGE IT:
[Deuteronomy 20:13] AND WHEN THE LORD THY GOD HATH DELIVERED IT INTO THINE
HANDS, THOU SHALT SMITE EVERY MALE THEREOF WITH THE EDGE OF THE SWORD:
[Deuteronomy 20:14] BUT THE WOMEN, AND THE LITTLE ONES, AND THE CATTLE, AND ALL
THAT IS IN THE CITY, EVEN ALL THE SPOIL THEREOF, SHALT THOU TAKE UNTO THYSELF;
AND THOU SHALT EAT THE SPOIL OF THINE ENEMIES, WHICH THE LORD THY GOD HATH GIVEN
THEE.
[Deuteronomy 20:15] THUS SHALT THOU DO UNTO ALL THE CITIES WHICH ARE VERY FAR
OFF FROM THEE, WHICH ARE NOT OF THE CITIES OF THESE NATIONS.
[Deuteronomy 20:16] BUT OF THE CITIES OF THESE PEOPLE, WHICH THE LORD THY GOD
DOTH GIVE THEE FOR AN INHERITANCE, THOU SHALT SAVE ALIVE NOTHING THAT BREATHETH:
[Deuteronomy 20:17] BUT THOU SHALT UTTERLY DESTROY THEM; NAMELY, THE HITTITES,
AND THE AMORITES, THE CANAANITES, AND THE PERIZZITES, THE HIVITES, AND THE
JEBUSITES; AS THE LORD THY GOD HATH COMMANDED THEE:
[Deuteronomy 20:18] THAT THEY TEACH YOU NOT TO DO AFTER ALL THEIR ABOMINATIONS,
WHICH THEY HAVE DONE UNTO THEIR GODS; SO SHOULD YE SIN AGAINST THE LORD YOUR
GOD.
[Deuteronomy 20:19] WHEN THOU SHALT BESIEGE A CITY A LONG TIME, IN MAKING WAR
AGAINST IT TO TAKE IT, THOU SHALT NOT DESTROY THE TREES THEREOF BY FORCING AN
AXE AGAINST THEM: FOR THOU MAYEST EAT OF THEM, AND THOU SHALT NOT CUT THEM
DOWN (FOR THE TREE OF THE FIELD IS MAN'S LIFE) TO EMPLOY THEM IN THE
SIEGE:
[Deuteronomy 20:20] ONLY THE TREES WHICH THOU KNOWEST THAT THEY BE NOT TREES FOR
MEAT, THOU SHALT DESTROY AND CUT THEM DOWN; AND THOU SHALT BUILD BULWARKS
AGAINST THE CITY THAT MAKETH WAR WITH THEE, UNTIL IT BE
SUBDUED.
[Deuteronomy 21:1] IF ONE BE FOUND SLAIN IN THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD
GIVETH THEE TO POSSESS IT, LYING IN THE FIELD, AND IT BE NOT KNOWN WHO HATH
SLAIN HIM:
[Deuteronomy 21:2] THEN THY ELDERS AND THY JUDGES SHALL COME FORTH, AND THEY
SHALL MEASURE UNTO THE CITIES WHICH ARE ROUND ABOUT HIM THAT IS SLAIN:
[Deuteronomy 21:3] AND IT SHALL BE, THAT THE CITY WHICH IS NEXT UNTO THE SLAIN
MAN, EVEN THE ELDERS OF THAT CITY SHALL TAKE AN HEIFER, WHICH HATH NOT BEEN
WROUGHT WITH, AND WHICH HATH NOT DRAWN IN THE YOKE;
[Deuteronomy 21:4] AND THE ELDERS OF THAT CITY SHALL BRING DOWN THE HEIFER UNTO
A ROUGH VALLEY, WHICH IS NEITHER EARED NOR SOWN, AND SHALL STRIKE OFF THE
HEIFER'S NECK THERE IN THE VALLEY:
[Deuteronomy 21:5] AND THE PRIESTS THE SONS OF LEVI SHALL COME NEAR; FOR THEM
THE LORD THY GOD HATH CHOSEN TO MINISTER UNTO HIM, AND TO BLESS IN THE NAME OF
THE LORD; AND BY THEIR WORD SHALL EVERY CONTROVERSY AND EVERY STROKE BE
TRIED:
The Tribe of Levi had an educational
task for all Israel.
Cf. THEY SHALL TEACH JACOB THY JUDGMENTS, AND ISRAEL THY LAW [Deuteronomy
33:10].
[Deuteronomy 21:6] AND ALL THE ELDERS OF THAT CITY, THAT ARE NEXT UNTO THE SLAIN
MAN, SHALL WASH THEIR HANDS OVER THE HEIFER THAT IS BEHEADED IN THE VALLEY:
[Deuteronomy 21:7] AND THEY SHALL ANSWER AND SAY, OUR HANDS HAVE NOT SHED THIS
BLOOD, NEITHER HAVE OUR EYES SEEN IT.
[Deuteronomy 21:8] BE MERCIFUL, O LORD, UNTO THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, WHOM THOU HAST
REDEEMED, AND LAY NOT INNOCENT BLOOD UNTO THY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL'S CHARGE. AND THE
BLOOD SHALL BE FORGIVEN THEM.
[Deuteronomy 21:9] SO SHALT THOU PUT AWAY THE GUILT OF INNOCENT BLOOD FROM AMONG
YOU, WHEN THOU SHALT DO THAT WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD.
Haftara
Yeshayahu
(Isaiah) 51:12-52:12
http://www.britam.org/isaiah/Isaiah51to55.html
The enemies who oppressed
the Jews and Jerusalem will be requited and vengeance taken upon them (51:23).
The Assyrians oppressed both Judah and the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel though the
Ten Tribes were the ones the Assyrians exiled. The Assyrians forced them to
accept the Assyrian religion. They were already
practising
pagans to a large degree and heavily influenced by the surrounding Canaanite and
Middle East cults. These were similar to the Greek ones that were derived from
the same sources.
http://www.britam.org/isaiah/Isaiah51to55.html#51
[Isaiah 51:22] THUS
SAITH
THY LORD THE LORD, AND THY GOD THAT
PLEADETH
THE CAUSE OF HIS PEOPLE, BEHOLD, I HAVE TAKEN OUT OF
THINE
HAND THE CUP OF TREMBLING, EVEN THE DREGS OF THE CUP OF MY FURY; THOU
SHALT
NO MORE DRINK IT AGAIN:
The period of anger will be finished and never again repeat itself.
[Isaiah 51:23] BUT I WILL PUT IT INTO THE HAND OF THEM THAT AFFLICT THEE; WHICH
HAVE SAID TO THY SOUL, BOW DOWN, THAT WE MAY GO OVER: AND THOU HAST LAID THY
BODY AS THE GROUND, AND AS THE STREET, TO THEM THAT WENT
OVER.
The enemies who oppressed the Jews and Jerusalem will be requited and vengeance
taken upon them. The Jews in exile in order to survive had to be passive. The
attribute of passivity amongst the Jews left both a good and bad impression on
the national character.
The Arabs used to say that the Jews have "white hearts" because they do not bear
grudges nor seek revenge. Perhaps they should? Some things have to be
CONSCIOUSLY left to the Guidance of the Almighty. We can pray and live as well
as we can and defend ourselves however we are able.
Chapter 52: The Lost Ten Tribes are not keeping the faith of Moses nor are they
acknowledging their true identity (52:4). As long as the Ten Tribes do not know
of their origins and do not turn back to the God of Israel it is as if they were
taken away. For this reason the Name (Reputation) of God is blasphemed and
people do not own up to the truth of the Bible (52:5). Israel is the servant of
God (52:13).
[Isaiah 52:4] FOR THUS SAITH
THE LORD GOD, MY PEOPLE WENT DOWN AFORETIME INTO EGYPT TO SOJOURN THERE; AND THE
ASSYRIAN OPPRESSED THEM WITHOUT CAUSE.
The Assyrians oppressed both Judah and ten
tribed
"Israel" though the Ten Tribes were the ones the Assyrians exiled. The Assyrians
forced them to accept the Assyrian religion. They were already
practising
pagans to a large degree and heavily influenced by the
surrouinding
Canaanites and Middle East cults. These were similar to the Greek ones that were
derived from the same sources.
The Lost Ten Tribes are not keeping the faith of Moses nor do they acknowledge
their true identity.
[Isaiah 52:5] NOW THEREFORE, WHAT HAVE I HERE,
SAITH
THE LORD, THAT MY PEOPLE IS TAKEN AWAY FOR
NOUGHT"
THEY THAT RULE OVER THEM MAKE THEM TO HOWL,
SAITH
THE LORD; AND MY NAME CONTINUALLY EVERY DAY IS BLASPHEMED.
As long as the Ten Tribes do not know of their origins and do not turn back to
the God of Israel it is as if they were taken away, -and indeed so they were.
For this reason the name of God is blasphemed and people do not own up to the
truth of the Bible.
THEY THAT RULE OVER THEM MAKE THEM TO HOWL: This could mean straightforward
physical oppression by foreigners. It could also refer to the fact that our
rulers (in the West) almost force us into immorality and bad living. This is not
to our benefit but rather causes a ruination of our lives as a result of which
in secret or openly we howl over the waste of our existence.
Boys do not want to masturbate or become homosexuals.
Girls do not want to be promiscuous or treated as such.
People do not want to cheat or steal or use violence or be victimized or oppress
others. We do not want to take drugs or act stupidly. Our leaders should be
helping us do what we really want to do and should do.
[Isaiah 52:6] THEREFORE MY PEOPLE SHALL KNOW MY NAME: THEREFORE THEY SHALL KNOW
IN THAT DAY THAT I AM HE THAT DOTH SPEAK: BEHOLD, IT IS I.
God will save us and lead us forward. We shall know that it is by His power we
are led onwards. We shall know His name. The name reflects the essence of the
named. By knowing His name it means we shall know and realize in our existence
the meaning of His name. We shall be renewed.
[Isaiah 52:12] FOR YE SHALL NOT GO OUT WITH HASTE, NOR GO BY FLIGHT: FOR THE
LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU; AND THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL BE YOUR REWARD.
"WILL BE YOUR REWARD" In Hebrew "umasifchem".
Apparently the word rendered above as REWARD was originally REREWARD meaning "Protection of the Rear".
[We owe this information to Daniel Tukuafu.]
"Umasifchem" in Hebrew suggests both rearguard protection and gathering up (Daat Mikra).
Joining the two parts of verse together, it may be understood to say:
God will go before you and behind you to protect you and gather up your stragglers.
Similary concerning the Tribe of Dan it says:
AND THE STANDARD OF THE CAMP OF THE CHILDREN OF DAN SET FORWARD, WHICH WAS THE REREWARD [Hebrew: "Ma-asef"] OF ALL THE CAMPS THROUGHOUT THEIR HOSTS: AND OVER HIS HOST WAS AHIEZER THE SON OF AMMISHADDAI.[Numbers 10:25]
Here we have the word Ma-asef translated as REREWARD.
The Tribe of Dan both protected the rear-end of the Camp of Israel as well as gathering in all the stragglers from
the other Tribes who dropped behind.
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