Torah Commentary - Ki Tetze

Although the Torah Scroll is gloriously dressed, repeatedly blessed, and read in a ritually prescribed manner, the Torah is not a divine relic. It's a part of our ongoing reality. The Torah teaches us God's commandments for everyday living. Even though our concept of reality changes with time and maturation, we remain humanly flawed and in need of God's direction. In the Torah Portion, Ki Tetze, Moses teaches God's rules for a variety of situations which the children of Israel might encounter in their domestic, commercial, and military interactions as they enter Canaan.

We are taught the proper treatment of a wife taken from among prisoners of war; the punishment for a rebellious son; the imperative for swift burial of a hanged criminal; the prohibition against indifference to a neighbor's loss of property; humane treatment of animals...and this is only a small sampling of the commandments in Ki Tetze!Our reality is very different from that of the children of Israel. However, if we look at the intent, rather than the specific content of Ki Tetze, we find a timeless message of civility, honesty, moderation, justice, respect, compassion.
We're reminded that our experience as slaves in Egypt makes us especially mindful of caring for the stranger and the less fortunate in our communities.
"And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and YHWH, your God, redeemed you from there." (Deuteronomy 24:18)*

Our reality on this Shabbat Ki Tetze is shaped by our memorial observance of the tragic events of 9/11. We remember the nearly 3000 innocent lives lost in a heinous act of hideously distorted religious and political fanaticism. We remember a dark time when Americans found and continue to find strength and direction in the values exemplified by Ki Tetze.

As Moses spoke to the children of Israel, so Torah speaks to us today. As we study, interpret, and apply God's commandments, we bring Torah into our lives, our reality.
On Shabbat Ki Tetze as we remember 9/11, we, as always, affirm that Torah is alive, Torah endures, and so, as Jews and as Americans, do we.

*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman

Torah Commentary - Shoftim

The Torah Portion, Shoftim, focuses on justice, leadership, and moral responsibility. Conquest, with God's help, and settlement in Canaan are just the beginning. If the children of Israel are to endure as a strong, ethical community, there must be leaders to guide them in the fulfillment of God's commandments - judges, Levite priests, kings, prophets, military officers. God is, of course, the ultimate Leader and sets the limits of power for those who would rule in God's name.

A judge must not take a bribe. (Deuteronomy 16:19)
A king "...shall not get himself very much silver and gold." *(Deuteronomy 17:18)
A levite priest "...shall not have a legacy among his brothers. YHWH: He is his legacy, as He spoke to him."* (Deuteronomy 18:2)
A prophet - "...he'll speak to them everything that I'll command him."* (Deuteronomy 18:18)
An army officer must let soldiers in certain circumstances leave the group poised for battle. (Deuteronomy 20:5-9) and must try to make peace with an enemy city before attacking it. (Deuteronomy 20:10)

Cities of refuge for one who murders accidently and execution by stoning for one who engages in idolatry are both considered just processes in Shoftim.
There is even a process for bringing a "daunting" legal problem "...to the place that YHWH, your God, will choose."* (Deuteronomy 17:8), where a decision will be made by the Levite priests and the judge.

Shoftim includes several especially teachable verses - succinct, meaningful, memorable lines which inspire questions and prompt discussion.
"judgement with justice"* (Deuteronomy 16:18)
"Justice, justice you shall pursue"* (Deuteronomy 16:20)
"so you shall burn away what is bad from among you"* (Deuteronomy 17:7)
"On the word of two witnesses or on the word of three witnesses a case shall stand up."* (Deuteronomy 19:15)
"life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth"* (Deuteronomy 19:21)

In the classroom or study group, ask participants to read a text sheet with these verses in English (and Hebrew, if possible). Also provide each group with a Torah Commentary book. Assign a specific verse to small groups and direct the groups to consider:
What is the context for the verse in Shoftim?
How will the legal or social concept expressed in the verse, impact the Israelite community in Canaan?
Relate the verse to the religious, social, political, economic life of today's Jewish community in America. If, in the opinion of the group, the verse isn't relevant to modern American Jewish life, explain why.

Who would like to begin?!

One further comment - Did you know that Torah study has definite health benefits? Recently, I attended a lecture by a doctor, an expert in geriatrics. He spoke on "Ten Steps to Successful Aging." There it was - Step#5 - "Challenge your mind - use it or lose it!" The suggestions for mental challenges included "Take a class," "Learn something new," "Join a book club."
What better book than the Torah?!
Take one Portion and join me at Jewish Educators' Village, each week.
To your health!

*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman.