Category Archives: Uncategorized

Marriage Restrictions.Temple Grounds Sanctity. Jewish Slaves. Prostitution. Charging Interest Marriage Restrictions. Israelites are allowed to marry anyone who converts to Judaism from any nation with the exception of the Edomite or Egyptians whom Israelites are not allowed to marry for the first 2 generations. Nonetheless, Moshe instructs the Israelites that they are not to completelyContinue reading “Ki Teitzei, 4th Aliya”

Safety Rails. Forbidden Mixtures. Intimate Relations and Marriage. Chumash now teaches some laws regarding building a new house, acquiring a vineyard, a field and fine clothing. Rashi explains that this section follows that of the mitzvah of Shiluach HaKan (ie. sending the mother bird away from her young in their nest – see yesterday’s post)Continue reading “Ki Teitzei, 3rd Aliya”

Proper Burial. Returning Lost Objects. Reloading a Traveler’s Animal. Cross Dressing. Shiluach HaKan Proper Burial Yesterday’s Aliya concluded with the laws regarding the rebellious son. Chumash taught that if such a son is not killed, he will grow up and lead an evil lifestyle and eventually commit sins which are liable for death by theContinue reading “Ki Teitzei, 2nd Aliya”

Captive Women. Two Wives. A Wayward Son. Captive Women Regarding the wars which the Israelites were commanded to fight to conquer the land of Israel, they were obligated to not leave anyone from those who they were conquering alive. Chumash now details a situation of an optional war which they win but since they areContinue reading “Ki Teitzei, 1st Aliya”

Property Rights. False Testimony. Damages. Wartime Rules. Property Rights Moshe now warns them regarding expanding the boundaries of one’s property into that of their neighbors. In so doing, a person transgresses 2 negative commandments: 1)Not robbing and 2)Not pulling back the boundaries of one’s land. False Testimony For a testimony to be accepted against anotherContinue reading “Shoftim, 6th Aliya”

Prophets. False Prophets. Cities of Refuge. Prophets Moshe says that the nations from which the Israelites are about to conquer the Land of Israel, practice divination and soothsaying, but to the nation of Israel, G-d did not give these things, but rather His Divine Presence which He made rest in His prophets and the UrimContinue reading “Shoftim, 5th Aliya”

Kohanim Who Serve When It’s Not Their Watch. Some Forbidden Idolatrous Practices. Kohanim Who Serve When It’s Not Their Watch. Moshe now relates that a Kohen may offer his own sacrifices at any time he chooses, even not during his shift. Another reading of the text suggests that when Kohanim come to Jerusalem for theContinue reading “Shoftim, 4th Aliya”

Donations to Leviim and Koahim Moshe reiterates that all of the Leviim (whether blemished or not) are not to receive a portion of the spoils nor an inheritance in the Land of Israel. Rather they are to subsist on the sacrifices offered in the Temple, the terumos and the tithes. Rashi breaks down the ideaContinue reading “Shoftim, 3rd Aliya”

An Israelite King Moshe foretells of a time when the Israelites will live in Israel and decide to appoint a king like all the other nations around them. At that time, Moshe continues, they are to make sure that the king they appoint is Jewish. This king may only have enough horses for his chariotsContinue reading “Shoftim, 2nd”

Appoint Judges and Policemen Moshe instructs the nation that they are to set up judges and policemen. Every city as well as every tribe must have appointed judges. The appointed judges must be expert and righteous to ensure that their judgments will be just. The judges will be the ones to determine the verdict, andContinue reading “Shoftim – 1st Aliya”