Shoftim - Day #7

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

Shabbat: Deuteronomy 20:10–21:9

20:10 When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it. 11 It shall be, if it gives you answer of peace and opens to you, then it shall be that all the people who are found therein shall become forced laborers to you, and shall serve you. 12 If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 When Hashem your Elohim delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it with the edge of the sword; 14 but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its plunder, you shall take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which Hashem your Elohim has given you. 15 Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations. 16 But of the cities of these peoples that Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes; 17 but you shall utterly destroy them: the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you; 18 that they not teach you to follow all their abominations, which they have done for their gods; so would you sin against Hashem your Elohim 19 When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; for you may eat of them. You shall not cut them down, for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged by you? 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you shall destroy and cut them down. You shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

21:1 If someone is found slain in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess, lying in the field, and it isn’t known who has struck him, 2 then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain. 3 It shall be that the elders of the city which is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer of the herd, which hasn’t been worked with and which has not drawn in the yoke. 4 The elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. 5 The priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near, for them Hashem your Elohim has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in Hashem’s name; and according to their word shall every controversy and every assault be decided. 6 All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley. 7 They shall answer and say, “Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it. 8 Forgive, Hashem, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and don’t allow innocent blood among your people Israel.” The blood shall be forgiven them. 9 So you shall put away the innocent blood from among you, when you shall do that which is right in Hashem’s eyes.

Today’s Meditation:

This is where Hashem's instructions become difficult. The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, and Hashem is instructing them how to take it from the pagan worshipers. All so that “That they not teach you to follow all their abominations (verse 20:18). We may not understand why whole cities had to be wiped out, but Hashem has His purposes. This is hard. But we either believe our one true Elohim knows the Way, or He does not. And I believe He does. He does not want His people, and those who join Him, to be contaminated. He doesn’t want to lose them to false religions. He wants them to worship Him alone. He seems to want to decontaminate the land. It was as if He were reclaiming what was His before evil took it over.

Today’s Challenge:

Verses 10-12 describe what seems to be a fair plan of attack for the Israelites in the new land. They are the first to go to the inhabitants and proclaim a peace treaty. However, there is a contingency. If the resident people agree to peace, then they are to become forced laborers for the Israelites. We know from earlier verses in the Torah that slaves were to be treated fairly and generously. I’m sure this was also true for these forced laborers. If the people did not agree to a peaceful takeover, then they would be attacked, but the livestock, women, and children would be spared. Everything and everyone else would be wiped out. 

My challenge to you today is to think about your disagreements with others. Do you offer them a peace plan? If we are to glean from today’s study, I think it is important to approach people we have difficulty with peacefully. Come to them first with kind, generous solutions, rather than fighting. An additional challenge. Start thinking about the Olam Haba, the World to Come. This will not be a place of fighting, killing, or sin. It will be a place of total shalom peace. That is the hope we have for the future.

This Week’s Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you.

    Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die,

    and of the son of man who will be made as grass?

13 Have you forgotten Hashem your Maker,

    who stretched out the heavens,

    and laid the foundations of the earth?

Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor,

    when he prepares to destroy?

    Where is the fury of the oppressor?

14 The captive exile will speedily be freed.

    He will not die and go down into the pit.

    His bread won’t fail.

15 For I am Hashem your Elohim, who stirs up the sea

    so that its waves roar.

    Hashem of Armies is His name.

16 I have put My words in your mouth

    and have covered you in the shadow of My hand,

that I may plant the heavens,

    and lay the foundations of the earth,

    and tell Zion, ‘You are My people.’”

17 Awake, awake!

    Stand up, Jerusalem,

    you who have drunk from Hashem’s hand the cup of His wrath.

You have drunk the bowl of the cup of staggering,

    and drained it.

18 There is no one to guide her among all the sons to whom she has given birth;

and there is no one who takes her by the hand among all the sons whom she has brought up.

19 These two things have happened to you—

    who will grieve with you?—

desolation and destruction,

    and famine and the sword.

    How can I comfort you?

20 Your sons have fainted.

    They lie at the head of all the streets,

    like an antelope in a net.

They are full of Hashem’s wrath,

    the rebuke of your Elohim.

21 Therefore, now hear this, you afflicted,

    and drunken, but not with wine:

22 Your Hashem Adonai,

    your Elohim who pleads the cause of His people, says,

“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering,

    even the bowl of the cup of My wrath.

    You will not drink it anymore.

23 I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,

    who have said to your soul, ‘Bow down, that we may walk over you;’

    and you have laid your back as the ground,

    like a street to those who walk over.”

52:1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.

    Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:

    from now on, the uncircumcised and the unclean will no longer come into you.

2 Shake yourself from the dust!

    Arise, sit up, Jerusalem!

    Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!

3 For Hashem says, “You were sold for nothing;

    and you will be redeemed without money.”

4 For Adonai Hashem says:

“My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there:

    and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.

5 “Now therefore, what do I do here,” says Hashem,

    “Seeing that My people are taken away for nothing?

Those who rule over them mock,” says Hashem,

    “And My name is blasphemed continually all day long.

6 Therefore, My people shall know My name.

   Therefore, they shall know in that day that I am he who speaks.

    Behold, it is I.”

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,

    who publishes peace,

    who brings good news,

    who proclaims salvation,

    who says to Zion, “Your Elohim reigns!”

8 Your watchmen lift up their voice.

    Together they sing;

    for they shall see eye to eye when Hashem returns to Zion.

9 Break out into joy!

    Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;

    for Hashem has comforted his people.

    He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 Hashem has made His holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations.

    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our Elohim.

11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there! Touch no unclean thing!

    Go out from among her!

    Cleanse yourselves, you who carry Hashem’s vessels.

12 For you shall not go out in haste,

    neither shall you go by flight:

for Hashem will go before you;

    and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

In verse 52:8, we read of a wonderful prophecy, “Your watchmen lift up their voice. Together they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when Hashem returns to Zion.” What a great day that will be when Hashem’s glory reigns from Jerusalem. And how wonderful that mankind will be seeing things in unity. That means they will agree. As far as I can tell, mankind has never been in agreement. This is only what can happen in the Olam Haba. No wonder everyone begins to sing. There will be awesome worship when people are united. How good and pleasant that will be.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

What a wonderful promise in verse 52:12, “For Hashem will go before you; and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.” This is something we can believe in today. That Hashem does go before us, and He is also our rear guard. This is our comfort. He really is ahead of us and behind us. Protecting us wherever we go, and watching our backs. My challenge to you is to spend a minute thinking about how Hashem watches over you. How, at times when you may think He isn’t there, He really is. He really does care about us and protects us. If you are going through a difficult time or even a good time, try to praise Him for His care and protection. 

Shoftim - Day #6

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Deuteronomy 19:14–20:9

19:14 You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you shall inherit, in the land that Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess.

15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. 16 If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17 then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Hashem, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days; 18 and the judges shall make diligent inquisition; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother, 19 then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from among you. 20 Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you. 21 Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

20:1 When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for Hashem your Elohim iis with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2 It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, 3 and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, nor be scared of them; 4 for Hashem your Elohim is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

5 The officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. 6 What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use his fruit. 7 What man is there who has pledged to be married to a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.” 8 The officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, “What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brother’s heart melt as his heart.” 9 It shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall appoint captains of armies at the head of the people.

Today’s Meditation:

Hashem created a fair and just judicial system and commandments. His people know how to utilize this. In verse 20, we read why Hashem is very strict about disobedience to His laws: “Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you.” He is setting an example for others. It’s one thing to tell a child the consequences of disobedience, but when the punishment is enacted, it is clear to the child and his/her siblings how severe disobeying is. It shows everyone what will happen if we do not follow Hashem’s instructions. We know for sure that Hashem loves all of His creation, but it is also clear that He wants the people who follow Him to be dedicated and loyal servants. He is explaining the way to accomplish this. It may seem harsh, but sometimes harshness is the only way people will listen.

Today’s Challenge: 

What a wonderful testimony and promise in verse 20:1, “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for Hashem your Elohim is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” Hashem’s people were about ready to enter the land of Israel. A place that they had never been before. A land filled with people who followed false gods. As He lays out the plan to inhabit this land, He makes a promise to be with them every step of the way. When Hashem calls us to new places and new plans, it can be very scary. Here is a strong promise that when we see problems that feel really big and impossible, we need to seek His face and ask Him for guidance and protection. If you are facing a giant today, ponder this particular verse. Try to believe that Hashem will be with you through it all. Try to have faith that Hashem will go to battle for you.

Shoftim - Day #5

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Deuteronomy 18:14–19:13

18:14 For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, Hashem your Elohim has not allowed you so to do. 15 Hashem your Elohim will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him. 16 This is according to all that you desired of Hashem your Elohim in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Let me not hear again Hashem my Elohim’s voice, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.”

17 Hashem said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”

21 You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Hashem has not spoken?” 22 When a prophet speaks in Hashem’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Hashem has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.

19:1 When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations whose land Hashem your Elohim gives you, and you succeed them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, 2 you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess. 3 You shall prepare the way, and divide the borders of your land, which Hashem your Elohim causes you to inherit into three parts, that every man slayer may flee there. 4 This is the case of the man slayer who shall flee there and live: Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, and didn’t hate him in time past— 5 as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live. 6 Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the man slayer while hot anger is in his heart and overtake him, because the way is long, and strike him mortally, even though he was not worthy of death, because he didn’t hate him in time past. 7 Therefore, I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves. 8 If Hashem enlarges your border, as He has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which He promised to give to your fathers; 9 and if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you today, to love Hashem your Elohim, and to walk ever in His ways, then you shall add three cities more for yourselves, in addition to these three. 10 This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you. 11 But if any man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities; 12 then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13 Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with you.

Today’s Meditation:

In verses 18 and 19, we read about Hashem telling Moses there will be another prophet like him: “I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.  It shall happen that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.” Who is this prophet? Has he arrived? Christianity believes Jesus is this prophet, and Islam believes Mohammed to be him. Others believe in their prophets, such as Joseph Smith. Hashem tests the prophets. See if the prophets' words have come to pass. If not, they are false prophets. Who do you believe is the prophet that Hashem is speaking about?

Today’s Challenge: 

In verse 10, we read, “This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.” Killing innocent people brings blood on the land and blood guilt. You may think you support abortion in your community, but you may want to look at it more seriously. Abortion literally takes the life of an innocent preborn child. Aborted babies are either flushed down toilets, ground up in garbage disposals, or buried in landfills (except for those who are sold for experimentation or to pharmaceutical companies). Does that mean our land has bloodguilt for this? My challenge to you today is to spend some time contemplating this. If you believe as I do, I suggest you look into helping to end abortion in your community and assisting young women who are in an unplanned pregnancy.