Deuteronomy-Chap-27
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Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
In this chapter, as the Israelites stand on the threshold of the Promised Land, Moses shifts his focus from
historical review to the physical and spiritual establishment of the Covenant
within the land itself. This section outlines a profound national ceremony
involving the writing of the Law on stones and the proclamation of blessings
and curses between
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Below are the 26 verses of Deuteronomy Chapter 27: Whilst below the
verses are the Explanation’s and more. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version
of the Torah).
Verses
1-4: “And Moses and the elders of
Explanation: Moses and the elders command the
people to set up large stones on the day they cross the
Verses 5-7: And
there shalt thou build an altar unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha, an altar of stones; thou shalt lift up no iron tool
upon them. Thou shalt build the altar of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha of unhewn stones; and thou
shalt offer burnt-offerings thereon unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha. And thou shalt sacrifice peace-offerings,
and shalt eat there; and thou shalt rejoice before יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha.
Explanation: An altar of whole stones, untouched by
iron toolsis to be built to יְהוָה
- the LORD on
Verse 8: And
thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly’.
Explanation: The instruction is repeated to write
the words of the Law upon the stones "very plainly." This ensures
that the Law is accessible and understandable to every member of the nation,
leaving no room for ambiguity regarding their moral and legal obligations.
Verses 9-10: And
Moses and the priests the Levites spoke unto all
Explanation: Moses and the Levite-priests declare a
monumental status change for the people: “This day thou art become a people
unto יְהוָה
- the LORD thy אֱלֹהִים – Elohim”.
While they were already chosen, this moment marks their formal entry into a
sovereign relationship with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as a landed nation. They are commanded to hearken to His voice and keep
the statutes being laid out.
Verses 11-13: And
Moses charged the people the same day, saying: ‘These shall
stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye
are passed over the Jordan: ‘Simeon’, and ‘Levi’, and ‘Judah’, and ‘Issachar’,
and ‘Joseph’, and ‘Benjamin’; and these shall stand upon mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, and ‘Asher’, and ‘Zebulun’, ‘Dan’, and ‘Naphtali’.
Explanation: Specific instructions are given for a
massive public declaration. Six tribes (Simeon,
Verses 14-15: And the
Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of
Explanation: The Levites initiate the ceremony by
proclaiming a curse against anyone who makes a graven or molten image. This
targets secret idolatry, sins committed in private that undermine the spiritual
integrity of the community. All the people must respond “Amen”, accepting the
justice of this law.
Verses 16-19: Cursed
be he that dishonoureth his father or his mother. And
all the people shall say: Amen. Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall
say: Amen. Cursed be he that maketh
the blind to go astray in the way. And all the people shall say: Amen. Cursed be he that perverteth the
justice due to the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall
say: Amen.
Explanation: These verses list curses for social
and ethical violations: dishonouring parents, moving a neighbor’s
boundary marker, misleading the blind, and subverting the justice due to the
stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. These laws protect the vulnerable and
maintain the order of a civil society.
Verses 20-23: Cursed
be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he hath uncovered his father’s
skirt. And all the people shall say: Amen. Cursed be he
that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the
people shall say: Amen. Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the
daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say: Amen. Cursed
be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. And all the
people shall say: Amen.
Explanation: This series of explanations covers
prohibitions against various forms of incest and bestiality. These laws define
the boundaries of a holy community, distinguishing the Israelites from the
surrounding pagan cultures through the sanctification of the family unit and
personal conduct.
Verses 24-25: Cursed
be he that smiteth his neighbour in secret. And all
the people shall say: Amen. Cursed be he that taketh a bribe to slay an innocent person. And all the
people shall say: Amen.
Explanation: The focus turns to violent crimes
committed in secret, such as striking a neighbour or taking a bribe to slay an
innocent person. The curse emphasizes that even if a crime escapes the notice
of human courts, it does not escape Divine scrutiny.
Verse 26: Cursed
be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do
them. And all the people shall say: Amen’”.
Explanation:
The final curse acts as a “catch-all” for the entire Torah: “Cursed be he that
confirmed not the words of this law to do them”. This confirms that the
Covenant is not merely a collection of individual rules, but a total system of
living that the nation must uphold in its entirety.
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My Closing Message:
Chapter 27 teaches us that the Torah is not a private document, but a public
constitution. By writing the Law on stones and shouting the blessings and
curses across the valley, the Israelites acknowledged that their success in the
land depended on their collective character. The emphasis on “Amen” reminds us
that every individual bears responsibility for the spiritual health of the
nation. It is a call to live with integrity, ensuring that our private actions
match our public declarations, and recognizing that true “rejoicing” in the
land is only possible through a commitment to justice and holiness.
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