Tag: Deuteronomy 16

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Impartial judgment: The Torah’s blueprint for ethical leadership (Deuteronomy 16, 19)

"Impartial judgment: Torah's blueprint for ethical leadership" (Deuteronomy 16, 19). Adobe Firefly AI image of an ancient near east man with a white beard reading a stack of parchments with a New York City-like Central Park and skyline seen in the background.

Are we truly responsible for one another? We’ll see in this study of the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18-21:9) that leaders must take accountability for justice — even when a crime seems distant or unsolvable. The laws of ancient Israel aren’t just relics; they reveal a universal call to judge righteously, without bias or self-interest. Whether it’s the murder of an unknown victim or the integrity of our daily decisions, the Torah insists we recognize the divine mandate for justice.

In a world increasingly detached from morality, these lessons feel more urgent than ever. Righteousness isn’t optional. It’s essential.

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Torah readings

Torah reading Shoftim (שפטים): Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Studies in Torah

Shadows of the prophet status and crucifixion of the Messiah appear in the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18-21:9). In a section of the Bible focused on codes of justice still used in modern society, there also is hope for the greatest mercy the world has ever seen, in Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ).

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Discussions Torah

Unlock Heaven’s secret to true freedom (Deuteronomy 14–16)

"Unlock Heaven's secret to true freedom (Deuteronomy 14-16)." Adobe Stock photo of a man's two fists lifted up against the sky with sunset lighting on clouds and a shackle between the wrists breaking.

The Torah reading רְאֵה Re’eh (“see,” Deut. 11:26–16:17) lays out a pivotal choice: blessing or curse, life or death. Will we cling to the world’s seductive but fleeting allures, or embrace God’s vision of true and lasting freedom? As each of us journeys from bondage to our past to the Promised Land, the LORD calls us to reflect His generous, restorative heart.

Through Torah instructions like debt release, tithe, Sabbath rest and the festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, the Creator invites us to loosen our grip on earthly treasures and find our true security in Him. This is no mere ritual, but a foretaste of the coming Messianic era when God will dwell with His people forever. What will you choose — the path of life or the road to ruin?

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Torah readings

Torah reading Re’eh (ראה): Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Studies in Torah

Common advice in this world is, “Follow your heart.” But in the Torah reading רְאֵה Re’eh (“see,” Deut. 11:26–16:17), we learn that God wants to transform our way of thinking, so our desires will take us in a wiser direction. Discover through these studies how this Bible passage explains the reborn-heart approach to the Second, Third and Fourth commandments on blasphemy, idolatry and weekly stopping what we’re doing to remember the rest God gives us.

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Discussions Tabernacles Torah

Sukkot: A reminder of Heaven’s extreme makeover of our lives

Sukkot: A reminder of Heaven's extreme makeover of our lives

In the First Commandment, God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2). As ancient Israel fled from Egypt and travelled to the Promised Land, they lived in booths, or סֻכֹּת sukkot in Hebrew. They weren’t supposed to live in these temporary shelters for 40 years in the wilderness. It was only because of their disobedience that they had to live that way for so long.

This study explores a key lesson of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles): We should be orienting ourselves towards God, not expecting Him to orient Himself toward us. 

It’s crucial for us to understand God’s character, to submit to His timing and molding us into His image — revealed through Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) — so that we will be a suitable people for God to dwell with for all time.

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Discussions Torah

‘Gods you have not known’: How the 3rd Commandment can save a world drowning in misinformation (Deuteronomy 12–13)

'Gods who you have not known': How the 3rd Commandment can save a world drowning in misinformation (Deuteronomy 12-13)

The Torah reading רְאֵה Re’eh (“see,” Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17) focuses on explaining the Second, Third and Fourth Commandments. Because of all the talk these days about misinformation, we’re going to focus on Heaven’s instructions for discerning truth from error and falsehood. And that’s drawn from Moshe’s elucidation on the Third Commandment, found in Deuteronomy 13:1–14:21.

And from that command we learn why it is so important to know Who the LORD is and why Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) came to “show us the Father.”

https://hallel.info/reeh-2022/

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Discussions Torah

Heavenly guidance for making righteous judgments (Deuteronomy 16–19)

Is it OK to mix the practices of other religions with the worship of God? How far must we go in following the instructions of leaders and judges? These are the sobering lessons on the standards of Heaven and earthly authorities raised in the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18–21:9). Learn more through this Bible study.