Torah Portion: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27
Reading #2 — Leviticus 19:15–22
My Thoughts:
Looking at today’s commands, verse 16 stands out to me “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.” This is speaking about gossip. You may think you do not gossip about people. But, even bringing up someone and what they did can be gossiping. Be very careful about what you say to people about other people. You may think you are just figuring out some problem, if so bring that problem to Hashem. Yes, you should have a prayer partner or spouse that you share things with. But, other than that we must watch what we say to others. It can easily become slander. Right?
Challenge:
Verse 17 and the second most important commandment - “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The first being to love Hashem with all your heart, soul and strength (the Shema). Just think what a changed and wonderful world we would have if everyone followed these two commands! And to love your neighbor means even if they are unpleasant, or have hurt you. Forgive them, pray for them and love them. We are to love our enemies and pray for them. Guaranteed this will make the world such a better place. Start doing this today. Pray and ask Hashem who your neighbor is and how you are to treat them. Do special things. Love them, unconditionally. Amen.
19:15 “‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.
16 “‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.
“‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Hashem.
17 “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Hashem.
19 “‘You shall keep my statutes.
“‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals.
“‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed;
“‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.
20 “‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21 He shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22 The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Hashem for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.
