Ki Tetze: When you go forth — כי תצא

Thoughts on Torah for Last Week.
 
See our page on Spiritual Coaching.
 
Deuteronomy 16-21
This parsha logically moves us into the justice system that God gave to Israel.  Insuring that a free society remains free, requires that that society must be fair and just. Essentially, God’s justice system is based on the principle of restitution as its standard, but this standard does not preclude us from going beyond that standard to help one another – to love our neighbor may require exceeding that standard (Leviticus 19:18).  But there is another critically important principle that this parsha alludes to. In order to maintain a free society, personal righteousness is an indispensable support.  But before we continue, let’s review the mitzvot/commandments in these chapters.  Go to Part 17 at time mark 39:25 minutes - HERE.

---

Personal Righteousness and the Sinai Covenant
Under the terms of the Sinai Covenant, all of Israel was required to live the Law - this kind of covenant is called a “collective” covenant. That means that each person in the community was required to obey the law.  In some respects, the violation of the Lord's command by just by one or a group of the community resulted in God's judgement to all. We see this come into effect in the seventh chapter of Joshua when some of the spoils of war were kept back of which the Lord commanded that they be destroyed.  The result of this disobedience was military reverses until the violators were eliminated.  
 
A free society can be threatened and lose its cohesion when just one person is allowed to violate the rules without accountability.  Speaking on the collective nature of the Sinai Covenant, Dr. Gileadi said,
 
“The Sinai covenant, therefore, though it assumes secondary importance with the advent of the David covenant, is actually a higher covenant – it demands loyalty toward the Lord by the entire people”
 
Further, under the Sinai covenant, all Israel had the Lord God as their king, who wanted Israel to rule themselves, which required that each person govern their own actions.
 
Consider this video teaching by Rabbi Sacks on the relationship of the maintenance of societal order, a free society and self-rule, and the moral responsibility of each person.

Personal Righteousness and the Founding of America
As a founding principle of America borrowed from the Torah, we see this principal of personal righteousness set out and promoted in colonial America - that freedom can only be maintained by a moral and virtuous people based on religious principle. Benjamin Franklin said,

“Let me add, that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."

Consider this video.  Please advance to time mark 26:20 minutes and watch to 27:40 - The Morality Factor.

---

Hebrew Study

---

Isaiah Chapter 47
The Harlot Babylon, who rules as Mistress of Kingdoms, descends into the dust in Jehovah’s Day of Judgment.

---

Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19
GOSPELS: Matthew 24:29-42

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 48

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD

​