Thoughts From Our Reading:

Maintaining the Standards of Israel: When b’nai yisrael conquer an enemy tribe, they must never absorb the pagan traditions of that tribe. Israel is to remain morally and spiritually unique. Same as today, in antiquity there were charismatic personalities, who might have attempted to lead Jews astray. The Torah warns Israel to resist such individuals and their popular, yet misguided notions.

Years ago, when I led Jewish summer teen tours, one of our annual stopovers was in Salt Lake City. It was important to visit the Mormon Church, to be open and forthcoming about other faiths and their practices. Nevertheless, our trip organizers insisted that we prepare our group for their encounters with Mormon Church tour guides or other adherents, looking to take advantage of impressionable American teens. Although in the end we had nothing to fear, we were then living in an era of much Missionary zeal.

In America today, with Hasidic groups being the exception, we do not live in Jewish enclaves, which are totally isolated from the general world. As Jewish identification continues to dwindle nation-wide, it becomes evident that most American Jews immerse themselves in American society, while dismissing or severely abrogating their Jewish identifications. Living equally within two worlds has become a near impossibility.

Intentionally, I have not used the word assimilation. Assimilation is not always a negative or pejorative term, because Jews in every generation and culture have incorporated some of the indigenous culture into Jewish experience. In the Middle Ages, Jews wrote in Arabic. Even as the Maccabees fought against Hellenism, they took on Hellenistic names. And in the United States, Jewish musicians have incorporated much of American music into their compositions that, which reflect Jewish themes. Assimilation, therefore can be an attribute and not merely an obstruction.

Living with a sense of Sanctity in all facets of our lives: When someone dies, we mourn seriously, yet without overdoing it. Physically abusing our bodies is never to become a valid expression of mourning. Likewise, sanctity influences not only how we treat our bodies but how we ”feed” our bodies as well. Chapter fourteen offers a mini encapsulation of the rules of kashrut. Kashrut traditions are included here to remind us about forging a unique life, to distinguish us from other tribes and traditions. Again, this does not mean we should never embrace or absorb indigenous traditions, but that we should be cautious when doing so; remembering how the unique character of Israel will bring honor to the world.

Rules About Tithing: The Jewish People abide by a verse from the Book of Psalms: The Earth Belongs to God. Distinct from conventional thinking today, the Torah reminds us that we are tenants who inhabit the land for a brief duration. In the larger scheme of the world, we are neither masters nor landowners. Therefore, several times during each seven year period, farmers were to consume their produce in the Sanctuary precinct (which meant the Jerusalem Temple), as expressions of appreciation to God for the bounty. Second, in every third and sixth year of the Sabbatical cycle, farmers were to leave produce for the Levites (Israel’s spiritual leaders, who did not own property or territory) and for the poor. The notion of “it’s my produce and I will do as I wish” was anathema to biblical thinking.

Haftorah: Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5

The Haftorah represents the third Haftorah of Consolation following Tisha B’av (the Ninth of Av, a national day of mourning). The Israeli living in exile will be physically and spiritual revived in its homeland. Israel will be strong in every sense, with no nation able to threaten her people. Such a hope resonates with us today, as we still await the return of the remaining hostages.