Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Re'e
He warns the nation against copying ways of the other nations. The Torah is complete & perfect, nothing may be added or subtracted from it. If a "prophet" tells the people to violate the Torah, he is to be put to death, as is one who entices others to worship idols. A city of idolatry must be razed. It is prohibited to engage in excessive mourning, e.g. cutting the skin or making a bald spot.
The signs of kosher food & the issur of eating blood or cooking meat & milk are given. We are instructed to be openhearted; in the 7th year all loans must be forgiven. A
Jewish bondsman is released after 6 years & sent away with generous provisions. If he refuses to leave, his ear is pierced with an awl at the door post & he remains indentured until Yovel.
The Parsha ends by detailing Pesach, Shavuot and Succot.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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