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Post by alon on Aug 29, 2014 23:11:22 GMT -8
The  par’sha this week is Shoftim (Judges). As the name implies, it deals with (among other things) judges and judgments, and as a corollary, justice. The idea of justice is so important, the term is emphasized by saying it twice:
Deuteronomy 16:20 (CJB) Justice, only justice, you must pursue; so that you will live and inherit the land ADONAI your God is giving you.
We are instructed to appoint judges and officials to enforce their judgments to sit at the city gates:Deuteronomy 16:18 "You are to appoint judges and officers for all your gates [in the cities] ADONAI your God is giving you, tribe by tribe; and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment.But how does this apply to us as individuals today? Well, the Rabbis view the human body like a city with seven gates:
* 2 eyes
* 2 ears
* 2nostrils
* 1 mouth
These can be opened or closed to influences of or participation in the world. We, like those ancient cities can control what enters into or proceeds from our minds. We choose what books to read, whose advice to listen to, etc. Interesting enough it is the only single gate that is the one used the most. Plainly stated, we talk too much!
We need to use good judgment, guided by the Ruach HaChodesh, whose judgments are true. We need to exercise discernment as to what we take in and what we say so that we can remain set apart for Adonai! We must place shoftim (judges) and shotrim (officials) at our mouths so that we do not speak falsely or hurtfully. But before this we must guard the other gates against taking in evil; because what we take in is what our minds become and this in turn is what we speak.
Four times the phrase “Thus you will exterminate such wickedness from Isra'el” is repeated;Deuteronomy 17:7, 19:19, 21:21, and 22:21. So can we say “Thus I will exterminate the wickedness from myself” as we prayerfully judge, or discern what we take in and what we say. If we want our words to carry justice, we must first make sure that what we take in is just, true, righteous and good.
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Post by alon on Aug 29, 2014 23:49:30 GMT -8
Just today I was speaking with my family about a man who had lost his wife. The house was kept for almost a year just like it was the day she passed. Now, we (my somewhat crazy conservative family) tend to just clean up, clean out, distribute or destroy; then we celebrate the life of our deceased and move on. So it is difficult to understand why this man reacted like this.
When he had to move, which meant getting rid of most of what he had, he sat in the back of the house as volunteers from the church sold off his belongings. Some (meaning my crazy family) find fault in the way he did this. But I thought about it, and think I can understand somewhat. Getting rid of our "stuff" as we get older is like giving away our life! Books, tools, recreational gear we'll never use again is like an admission our life is in the toilet and we either beg God not to or, too often just to go ahead and flush!
But for this man his wife had been his companion and support, both physically and spiritually on the mission field to Africa and the East where he literally ministered under the muzzles of AK-47's! He was just lost without her, and worse her passing was not an easy one. So I can (sort of- I'm still of my crazy family) see why he had such a hard time, and could not face being there as his life and hers was sold off.
Judgments- judge others rightly and with mercy and compassion, for "Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" Luke 3:37. It took me over 60 yrs. to learn that, but I blame it on my family! 
Dan C
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Post by Questor on Sept 1, 2014 15:29:43 GMT -8
Just today I was speaking with my family about a man who had lost his wife. The house was kept for almost a year just like it was the day she passed. Now, we (my somewhat crazy conservative family) tend to just clean up, clean out, distribute or destroy; then we celebrate the life of our deceased and move on. So it is difficult to understand why this man reacted like this.
When he had to move, which meant getting rid of most of what he had, he sat in the back of the house as volunteers from the church sold off his belongings. Some (meaning my crazy family) find fault in the way he did this. But I thought about it, and think I can understand somewhat. Getting rid of our "stuff" as we get older is like giving away our life! Books, tools, recreational gear we'll never use again is like an admission our life is in the toilet and we either beg God not to or, too often just to go ahead and flush!
But for this man his wife had been his companion and support, both physically and spiritually on the mission field to Africa and the East where he literally ministered under the muzzles of AK-47's! He was just lost without her, and worse her passing was not an easy one. So I can (sort of- I'm still of my crazy family) see why he had such a hard time, and could not face being there as his life and hers was sold off.
Judgments- judge others rightly and with mercy and compassion, for "Don't judge, and you won't be judged. Don't condemn, and you won't be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" Luke 3:37. It took me over 60 yrs. to learn that, but I blame it on my family!
Dan C
I think it is a mixture of being prepared for all manner of things, and a reluctance to change to better habits.
For instance, I never had any trouble keeping a desk and paperwork organized at work, once I learned that cluttery-ness was not conducive to getting things done.
And having once learned to be organized, I prefer to be that way...but these days, I have so much stuff, that my efforts at organizing are limited to stacking clear boxes of related stuff on top of each other. I have run out of room. Alas, my house does not have the necessary garage to keep my stuff in, or an attic, so everything is stacked in the house, mostly in neat clear boxes.
I sort it occasionally, getting things organized into more and more boxes, but still do not have room to actually find out where everything is by organizing into one neat space...I don't have such a space. I do manage to throw stuff out that isn't likely to be needed in the next few years, and get rid some of what I haven't used in the last year...otherwise I would not be able to walk in my house at all, whereas I at least have wide pathways through my stuff, and the dog actually has a little room to play.
My Dad, and his mother before him were the same...just less neat about keeping everything they had acquired, and tons of junk to get rid of at their deaths. When my Mom died, my Dad sealed up my Mom's workshop, and left it to gather dust rather than deal with her acquired stuff, nor would he deal with clearing out her personal belongings. He said he was leaving the mess for me to deal with (sell and throw away), and I remembered how he hated sorting through his mother's things. Handing her prized possessions to others hurt him, just as dealing with both my Mom's and Dad's stuff was inutterably .saddening to me.
I need to become a minimalist, not a for-ever-prepared person, but despite the longing for empty space around me, and neat uncluttered furniture and home, I, like most of the world, will let someone else sort through my stuff when I no longer need it, after hand picking what will fit where ever I am to go to next. And since I am hoping to be where I live until I die, I will only need one set of clothing for the burial. One can only hope, that like at all estate sales, others will find something useful in what is left behind.
But until then, I am planning to build a large garage, so I can easily find and use all that Abba has permitted me to accumulate, whether it is tools, or equipment, or hobby items, or my ever increasing library. I had wanted to actually park my van in it, and the Jeep I use in bad winter weather, but I think they can stay outside. I will need the room! |
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Post by alon on Sept 1, 2014 16:13:01 GMT -8
... But until then, I am planning to build a large garage, ... 
Dan C
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par’sha this week is Shoftim (Judges). As the name implies, it deals with (among other things) judges and judgments, and as a corollary, justice. The idea of justice is so important, the term is emphasized by saying it twice:
