Ha Rav

Torah – Annual: Deuteronomy 16:18 –21:9 (pages 820 – 835)
Torah Reading – Deuteronomy
(1) 16:18-20 (2) 16:21 – 17:7 (3) 17:8 -10 (pages 820 -823)
(4) 19:14 - 21 (5) 20:1 – 9 (6) 20:10 - 15 (7) 20:16 - 20 (pages 829 - 834)
Maftir: 21:7 - 9 (page 835)
Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 – 52:12 (pages 835 -839)

This week’s portion contains both lofty ethical ideals as well as detailed
ritual commandments. The Torah makes no difference between ethics and law.
We are commanded to do what is right in both religious and secular life. In
fact, Jewish tradition does not make the dichotomy between these two
spheres. God is Lord of all life, and our behavior should reflect the
Divine will all of the time, not just in synagogue!

Please note how the concept of true justice is outlined. Favoritism of any
kind is prohibited. (This is, by the way, just the opposite the informal
Israeli way of doing things, where “protectsia” – who you know – gets you
through difficult situations.)

Justice also applies to the market place, Judaism does not follow Capitalism
or Socialism. Judaism looks for what is fair to all concerned. Look at the
commentary on verse 19:14.

Even war comes under Jewish jurisdiction. While ethical rules of war may
seem to be a contradiction in terms, the Torah expects certain behavior from
combatants. These ancient laws are still a source of discussion as the
State of Israel struggles with its war against her enemies.