LAWS TO BE ENFORCED

    Remember when we initiated the justice system?  I’ll bet you do!  And I’ll even venture a guess as to what you were thinking, namely, “who is going to enforce the decisions of the Beit Din?”   Well, wonder no more!  Hashem has ordered us to appoint both judges and enforcement officials in all of our towns and cities. This elite troop will be solely responsible to enforce all the decisions rendered by the courts.  Additionally the courts have been warned not to accept bribes, even to judge correctly, not to treat the litigants differently, as this would cause the other party to feel as if he lost the case, nor pervert justice for any reason.  If such acts are done then, Moshe warned us, Hashem would forcibly remove us from our land, for the one thing that Hashem cannot abide by is injustice.

 LANDSCAPING OUTLAWED

    We are neither allowed to plant those pesky asherah trees that are worshipped by the other nations nor any other type of tree near the mizbe’ach.  While the asherah tree is a no-brainer because it itself is the idol and we cannot derive any benefit from such items, the reason forbidding other trees is not readily understood.  Moshe explained that the other nations decorate their temples in an attempt to attract others to their idolatrous practices.  So Hashem is emphasizing that it not the beauty of our courts or places of worship that matters, rather what takes place inside.

 INFALLIBLE COURTS?

   Last I heard, only Hashem was infallible, but now it seems that others have joined this elite group…the Sanhedrin—high court.  Moshe told us that even if one who is well-schooled disagrees with the decision rendered by the court, he must accept their ruling.  Moshe said, “You shall not deviate from the ruling that they make either to the right or the left.”  Moshe explained that even if they tell you that your right hand is really your left hand, you must accept it.  Sensing the shock to such a far-fetched suggestion, Moshe continued to explain that many people may feel that the correct result is as obvious as which is the right or left hand.  And still, Hashem is telling us that he is going to insure that the Sanhedrin rule correctly.  So even though it may appear that they ruled wrong, we must accept it.  Oh, by the way, should we decide on our own to ignore their decision, we will be subject to the death penalty. 

   My humble suggestion…do what they say. 

 WANT TO KNOW YOUR FUTURE?

 Have you ever wondered what tomorrow will bring?  When we were in Egypt, I can remember that the Egyptians would run to their local fortune teller who would use her incantations and other apparatus to determine what would happen.  

 

Sometimes the prediction was correct, other times, not.  Still in all, people would flock to these magicians.  They would read the stars, tea leaves, etc, in order to determine the future.  Well, Moshe has informed us that this type of action is unacceptable to Hashem.   For us to involve ourselves in these types of endeavors would be an abomination to Hashem and show our lack of trust in Him.  We are commanded to accept life as it comes and praise Hashem for all that happens to us, whether good or bad.  Should we have any major questions then we could always go to the Kohain Gadol who could consult with the Urim v’Tumim.  Bottom line: Trust Hashem…he knows what He’s doing!

 ARMY EXEMPTIONS

  Four groups of people are exempted from active duty when we are involved in a war for profit, as opposed to the war commanded by Hashem.  They are: one who has built a house but not yet moved in; one who plants a vineyard but not yet redeemed the produce; one who became engaged but not yet consummated the marriage and finally one who is afraid of war.   The reason for these exemptions is to protect the identity of those Hebrews who have sinned and are therefore fearful of dying in such a battle.

 

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