Shoftim means “judges” and Deuteronomy 16:18 begins with the command to appoint them. The Torah had suggested that these courts had to be established to resolve general disputes (Exodus 21:22, 22:8) but only here do we find the specific command to set these courts up in every city, probably because prior to this time they were not close to being settled in the land. Other warnings to kill idolaters in their midst follow along the lines of Deuteronomy 13 but lacking the provision that they do so even if predicted signs and wonders come true from the idolater’s mouth. Still other restatements of how courts should issue rulings, the roles of witnesses and the residing of the Levites with each tribe’s territory follow. Various other legal matters relating specifically to accidental death and serious injury are addressed in the remainder of the portion with a small break dedicated to rules of war.
Shoftim means “judges” and Deuteronomy 16:18 begins with the command to appoint them. The Torah had suggested that these courts had to be established to resolve general disputes (Exodus 21:22, 22:8) but only here do we find the specific command to set these courts up in every city, probably because prior to this time they were not close to being settled in the land. Other warnings to kill idolaters in their midst follow along the lines of Deuteronomy 13 but lacking the provision that they do so even if predicted signs and wonders come true from the idolater’s mouth. Still other restatements of how courts should issue rulings, the roles of witnesses and the residing of the Levites with each tribe’s territory follow. Various other legal matters relating specifically to accidental death and serious injury are addressed in the remainder of the portion with a small break dedicated to rules of war.
Re’eh means “see”, and it begins with that great summary of the covenant…I set aside two ways for you, blessing and cursing, life and death. Shortly afterwards, a number of regulations about the place for Abba YHWH’s Name—Jerusalem though no one other than Abba YHWH knows that yet—are given. Some kosher regulations are restated or clarified and the law of the shemittah is given and explained. The portion wraps up with a restatement of the Hebrew festivals.
Re’eh means “see”, and it begins with that great summary of the covenant…I set aside two ways for you, blessing and cursing, life and death. Shortly afterwards, a number of regulations about the place for Abba YHWH’s Name—Jerusalem though no one other than Abba YHWH knows that yet—are given. Some kosher regulations are restated or clarified and the law of the shemittah is given and explained. The portion wraps up with a restatement of the Hebrew festivals.
Welcome to a single parsha that is so massive, I need TWO mp3 files to give you the whole audio this week. There is just so much going on in Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25), not just intricate issues regarding halacha but deep emotional and personal realities that hit Moshe like never before this week. We also have a very important bonus teaching on my most recent calendar breakthrough—on the rabbinic and Christian side–but only when the rules for the Eternal Torah Calendar are followed. And there is also a very special and robust Member Q&A with a single question about a new archaeological find that supporters claim the The traditional Temple Mount is the correct location after all. What’s the truth behind both these matters? Find out but also get comfortable as you do so, as only a Feast teaching has more details than this one does.
Welcome to a single parsha that is so massive, I need TWO mp3 files to give you the whole audio this week. There is just so much going on in Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25), not just intricate issues regarding halacha but deep emotional and personal realities that hit Moshe like never before this week. We also have a very important bonus teaching on my most recent calendar breakthrough—on the rabbinic and Christian side–but only when the rules for the Eternal Torah Calendar are followed. And there is also a very special and robust Member Q&A with a single question about a new archaeological find that supporters claim the The traditional Temple Mount is the correct location after all. What’s the truth behind both these matters? Find out but also get comfortable as you do so, as only a Feast teaching has more details than this one does.
One of the three last speeches Moshe will give before he dies ends while a second one begins. The “Farewell Tour” keeps rolling forward with Ten Commandments 2.0: The Next Generation, the giving of the Shema Prayer along with many other commandments to make sure “you will prolong your days and prosper and long remain in the land Yahweh your Elohim is giving you.”
One of the three last speeches Moshe will give before he dies ends while a second one begins. The “Farewell Tour” keeps rolling forward with Ten Commandments 2.0: The Next Generation, the giving of the Shema Prayer along with many other commandments to make sure “you will prolong your days and prosper and long remain in the land Yahweh your Elohim is giving you.”
It’s time for a 40 year recap. As we prepare to enter the last day of Moshe’s life, also known as Deuteronomy, Moshe is taking stock, literally, as his fourth book draws to a close. Legal cases are wrapped up and Moshe’s status with Father YHWH is confirmed as Moshe must face the twin challenges of marshaling for war and preparing for his own death. He also faces yet another quiet rebellion but one no less dangerous as two tribes ask to settle east of the Jordan before there brothers complete the war with Midian to enter the Jordan on the west. What Moshe decides here will literally change the fate of millions for all time.
It’s time for a 40 year recap. As we prepare to enter the last day of Moshe’s life, also known as Deuteronomy, Moshe is taking stock, literally, as his fourth book draws to a close. Legal cases are wrapped up and Moshe’s status with Father YHWH is confirmed as Moshe must face the twin challenges of marshaling for war and preparing for his own death. He also faces yet another quiet rebellion but one no less dangerous as two tribes ask to settle east of the Jordan before there brothers complete the war with Midian to enter the Jordan on the west. What Moshe decides here will literally change the fate of millions for all time.