Devarim-Chap-12-Vv-16-31
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please
do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following
three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations or
(additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
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).
YYYYYYY
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Following the mandate to centralize worship in “the place אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim (God) will choose”, this second half of Chapter 12 addresses the practical shift for the common Israelite. Since the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) would be the only site for ritual sacrifice, the Torah introduces a revolutionary permission: “Secular Slaughter” (Chullin). This allowed people living far from the Sanctuary to eat meat for appetite alone, provided they adhered to specific laws regarding blood and the avoidance of pagan practices!
YYYYYYY
Let us enjoy Deuteronomy Chapter 12:16-31 with a verse by verse item as well as excellent Explanations: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
Verse 16: “Only the blood
you shall not eat; you shall pour it out on the earth like water”.
Explanation: Even in non-sacrificial slaughter, the sanctity of life (represented by blood) remains. Instead of being dashed on the altar, the blood must be returned to the earth, acknowledging that life belongs to the Creator.
Verses 17-18: “You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain... but before יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheychem you shall eat it in the place יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheychem will choose...”
Explanation: A distinction is made between “holy” food and “common” food. While meat for pleasure can be eaten at home, sacred items, tithes (Ma'aser), firstlings, and vowed offerings must be consumed within the sanctity of the central site to maintain the communal bond with יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheychem.
Verse 19: “Take care lest you forsake the Levite all your days on your land”.
Explanation: Because the Levites have no land inheritance and are tied to the Sanctuary service, the Torah warns that moving toward private “meat of desire” must not lead to the neglect of those dedicated to the spiritual welfare of the nation.
Verses 20-22: “When יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheychem expands your boundary... you may eat meat according to all your heart’s desire... The unclean and the clean together may eat it, as of the gazelle and as of the hart”.
Explanation: This acknowledges the reality of living in a large land. The comparison to the “gazelle and hart” (animals never brought as sacrifices) confirms that this meat is non-consecrated. Crucially, ritual purity is not required to eat “secular” meat.
Verses 23-25: “Only be strong not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life... so that it may go well with you and your children after you”.
Explanation: The repetition serves as a “moral strengthening”. Abstaining from the consumption of blood, a common pagan practice is presented as a foundational discipline that secures the merit of future generations.
Verses 26-27: “Only your holy things which you may have... you shall bring to the place יְהוָה - the LORD will choose. And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar...”
Explanation: A final reminder that the new permission for “common meat” does not abolish the laws of the Sanctuary. Sacred vows must still be fulfilled at the central Altar.
Verses 29-31: “When יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheychem cuts off the nations... take care lest you be ensnared to follow them... for every abomination to יְהוָה - the LORD which He hates they have done for their gods; for even their sons and daughters they burn in the fire to their gods”.
Explanation: The chapter closes with a stern warning against religious syncretism. The Canaanite practices, specifically child sacrifice are described as “abominations”. Israel is commanded not even to inquire about how these nations that serve their gods, lest they be tempted to “modernise” their own worship with forbidden foreign customs!
YYYYYYY
My Closing Message:
The second half of Devarim 12 marks a shift from the Ideal (the Sanctuary) to the Practical (the home). It teaches that while אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim allows for physical desires and the expansion of borders, the “common” life must still be governed by restraint. By pouring out the blood and remembering the Levite, the Israelite ensures that even a private meal remains an act of obedience. The ultimate goal is a holy separation: enjoying the bounty of the land without falling into the moral depravity of the cultures that preceded them.
YYYYYYY
Please
Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This
site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us,
especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very
much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via
several of our prophets...
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Enter ...