idolatry
It’s Never Wrong To Do the Right Thing
There are few commandments in the Torah that seem as violent and as ruthless as the rules that are set out for dealing with a city that has been led astray (Ir Hanidachat). In this situation, the majority of the people in a specific city...
The Portion of Vayelech
This incredibly short portion tells of Moses passing the torch onto Joshua. He tells the people that Joshua will lead them into the land of Israel, and offers Joshua words of encouragement. God does likewise. Also in the portion, God...
The Portion of Nitzavim
This week’s portion is one of the shortest in the Torah, with a mere 40 verses (next week’s Vayelech has only 30). Even when the two are combined, which happens most years, they number fewer verses than most other single portions. The...
The Portion of Shoftim
Continuing Moses’s farewell address to the Children of Israel, this week’s portion deals extensively with the legal system the people must establish when they enter the land. From courts to kings and priests to false witnesses and...
The Portion of Va’etchanan
In this week’s portion, Moses continues his farewell speech to the people. Here, he repeatedly warns the people against falling into the trap of idolatry. He reminds them of the incident at Ba’al Pe’or, in which the people sinned and a...