Parashat Ki Tetze
11th of Elul 5784 \ September 14th, 2024
by Howard Bressler
The Week’s Readings:
Torah: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10
Brit Chadashah: Revelation 21:1-8
I must say I almost wouldn’t want to be around during some of the biblical times described. I mean, they weren’t kidding around. They could stone you to death as punishment for things! G-d set up rules to maintain order, and because we all will fall short. G-d knows this and He looks into our hearts. He gave us Yeshua and His atonement for us as the only way for forgiveness and redemption – the only way to have a close relationship with Him.
In the Torah Portion, many rules are designed so that we can have a close relationship with G-d. There is more love than anyone can comprehend in G-d’s eyes for us. Ultimately, it’s all for the purpose of securing for us an eternal place with G-d. While on earth, following G-d’s commands doesn’t necessarily make your life easier, but it makes it more fruitful and fulfilling; your days will be prolonged and your life meaningful. G-d will bless you with good people and a way to sustain you.
This passage touches on many things to consider. It talks about how you should treat women, how to treat a child that is consistently rebellious, and how to treat a guilty man hung on a tree: to bury him that same night, for it’s an abomination against G-d to leave him on the tree. The portion also says to practice love for your neighbor’s things, his livestock and his house, by taking care of them when he is away and not in touch with you at the time. The text tells us to help him if he needs help when you see it, and not ignore the situation. It goes into dealing with slavery and prostitutes, too.
Deuteronomy touches on how you conduct yourself in your business dealings with others; that you should deal fairly with your customers in your weights and measures, and honesty of services. It even talks about making a promise to G-d: that it is better not to make a promise at all than to break the promise you made with Him. G-d tells us, when making loans for people, not to take their tools or other items the man uses to make a living as collateral for the loan. The text goes into making sure that punishments fit the crimes, although it is beyond me to understand why some of the punishments require the guilty to be stoned to death. I think the whole point is the knowledge that G-d sees everything you do, and if it is bad you won’t be able to just get away with it. If it is good, you will be blessed accordingly.
The Haftarah Portion talks about hope everlasting, and of G-d’s commitment to Israel. Isaiah compares the difficulties that Israel has suffered to a woman who is barren, to a woman who is widowed after her husband dies, or even has deserted her and left her alone. He says to Israel to be prepared, for G-d is coming! There will be no more shame or disgrace on them as Adonai will be their husband. No longer will He be angry with Israel. G-d’s love for Israel will never depart from them, and His eternal Covenant of Peace will be with them.
The title for this passage in the Brit Chadashah is “A New Heaven and a New Earth”. It is one of the most beautiful passages I have read. A new heaven and earth, wow! The Holy City, coming down from Heaven, is the New Jerusalem and is described as a bride adorned for her husband. That is us. G-d will be dwelling among men! He is their G-d and they are His people, forever. No pain, death, tears, fear, mourning; for all those who have turned from their wicked ways and repented and trusted G-d will spend eternity with G-d. But all those who have refused G-d will sadly spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.
In conclusion, follow all the commands and teachings of the L-RD, knowing that you will fall short of this. Trust that G-d will redeem and save you anyway and keep you close to Him. Confess and repent of your sins. If you listen to Him and obey His commands, He will bless you till the end of time and to eternity forever.