This study on the Torah reading Ki Tetze discusses contrasting approaches to justice between recent cases in Michigan and Georgia, where parents were charged for not preventing their children’s actions, and North Korea’s practice of punishing entire families for an individual’s wrongdoing. It compares these to the Torah’s principle of personal responsibility and prevention of harm.
Yeshua (Jesus) said, “(E)veryone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 NASB). That heart-encompassing explanation of Heaven’s instructions about adultery, murder, theft, honesty and lust for stuff is what’s behind the seemingly disconnected topics covered in the Torah passage כִּי־תֵצֵא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10-25:19). It helps explain what’s under the hood of the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth commandments.
The Tenth Commandment tells us, “Do not covet…” (Ex. 20:17; Deut. 5:21). Coveting is not a word we often use in the modern English, but when we do use it, we usually define it as desiring someone else’s stuff.
But the Torah passage כי תצא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10-25:19) teaches us that there’s more at heart than just desire for that brand new car in your neighbor’s garage. We are taught to be content with what we have — especially, our spouse — and not to usurp or seize what’s not ours. Treating others fairly is part of the “Golden Rule,” also known as the “Second Greatest Commandment”: Love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18).
This passage covers sometimes strange instructions for divorce, kidnapping, charity, limits to punishment and marriage to bear an heir.
Much has been lost in modern society has been lost by treating divorce and kidnapping as less serious matters than God does in Deuteronomy 24. Richard Agee explores a key question in this chapter: Why does God forbid remarriage to the first husband after a second marriage? The answer is clear in the original Hebrew text.