Deuteronomy-Chapter-16
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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:
Deuteronomy 16
continues Moses’ final teachings to
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Below are the verses of Deuteronomy Chapter 16:1-22: Whilst below the verses are the Explanation’s and more. (The Chapter is from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
Verse 1. “Observe the month of Abib,
and keep the Passover unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha; for in the month of Abib יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha brought thee forth out of
Explanation: This verse commands the people to
observe the month of Aviv because it was in this season that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim brought
Verse
2. And thou shalt sacrifice the Passover-offering unto
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha, of the flock and the herd, in the place which יְהוָה
- the LORD
shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.
Explanation: The Passover offering must be brought “in the place
which יְהוָה
- the LORD shall choose.” This
centralization prevents the scattering of worship practices and keeps the
nation united in one shared ritual.
Verse
3. Thou
shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread
therewith, even the bread of affliction; for in haste didst thou come forth out
of the land of Egypt; that thou mayest remember the
day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt
all the days of thy life.
Explanation: Unleavened bread is eaten for seven
days as “bread of affliction,” reminding
Verse
4. And there shall be no leaven seen with thee in all
they borders seven days; neither shall any of the flesh, which thou sacrificest the first day at even, remain all night until
the morning.
Explanation: No leaven may be seen in the land for
seven days, and none of the Passover meat may remain overnight. These
restrictions reinforce the uniqueness and urgency of the original event.
Verse
5. Thou mayest not sacrifice
the Passover-offering within any of thy gates, which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha giveth thee;
Explanation: The people may not offer the Passover
sacrifice in any town they choose. This prevents local variations and ensures
uniformity in worship.
Verse
6. but at the place which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha shall choose to cause His name to dwell in, there thou
shalt sacrifice the Passover-offering at even, at the going down of the sun, at
the season that thou camest forth out of
Explanation: The sacrifice must be offered at the
chosen place, “at the time that thou camest forth out
of
Verse
7. And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha shall choose; and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go
unto thy tents.
Explanation: The offering is cooked and eaten at
the chosen place, and only the next morning may the people return home. This
creates a communal experience centred on the sanctuary.
Verse
8. Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread; and on
the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha; thou shalt do no work therein.
Explanation: For six days unleavened bread is
eaten, and the seventh day is a solemn assembly. The closing gathering
emphasizes unity and spiritual focus.
Verse
9. Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee; from the
time the sickle is first put to the standing corn shalt thou begin to number
seven weeks.
Explanation: Counting seven weeks from the first
cutting of grain begins the period leading to Shavuot. This links the
agricultural cycle with spiritual celebration.
Verse
10. And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha after the measure of the freewill-offering of thy hand,
which thou shalt give, according as יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha blesseth thee.
Explanation: Shavuot requires a freewill offering
proportionate to one’s blessings. The Torah stresses generosity that reflects
gratitude.
Verse
11. And thou shalt rejoice before יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant,
and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the
stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in
the place which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha shall choose to cause His name to dwell there.
Explanation: The festival must include joy shared
with family, servants, Levites, strangers, orphans, and widows. This verse
highlights social inclusion and compassion.
Verse
12. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in
Explanation:
Verse
13. Thou shalt keep the feast of tabernacles seven
days, after that thou hast gathered in from thy threshing-floor and from thy
winepress
Explanation: Sukkot is
celebrated for seven days after the harvest. It is a festival of abundance and
humility, reminding
Verse
14. And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy
son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the
Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within
thy gates.
Explanation: Joy must again be shared with all
members of society, including those who are vulnerable. The Torah repeatedly
insists that celebration is incomplete unless everyone is included.
Verse
15. Seven days shalt thou keep a feast unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha in the place which יְהוָה - the LORD shall choose; because יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the
work of thy hands, and thou shalt be altogether joyful.
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim promises blessing in all work, and
Verse 16. Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha in the place which He shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the feast of weeks, and on the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before יְהוָה - the LORD empty;
Explanation: All males must appear before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim three times a year. This creates national unity and reinforces the
central sanctuary as the spiritual heart of the people.
Verse
17. every man shall give as he
is able, according to the blessing of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha which He hath given thee.
Explanation: Each person must give according to the
blessing received. The Torah avoids fixed amounts, teaching that generosity
must be personal and honest.
Verse
18. Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy
gates, which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha giveth thee, tribe by tribe;
and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
Explanation: Judges and officers must be appointed
in every town. Justice is decentralized so that fairness is accessible to all.
Verse
19. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not
respect persons; neither shalt thou take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes
of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Explanation: Judges must not distort justice, show
favouritism, or accept bribes. The Torah recognizes how easily power can be
corrupted and sets strict boundaries.
Verse
20. Justice, justice shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha giveth thee.
Explanation: “Justice, justice shalt thou pursue”
stresses relentless commitment to fairness. Repetition teaches urgency and
unwavering dedication.
Verse
21. Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah
of any kind of tree beside the altar of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha, which thou shalt make thee.
Explanation:
Verse
22. Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ -
the LORD thy Eloheicha hateth”.
Explanation: No pillar or sacred stone may be set
up, for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim hates such practices. The Torah rejects forms of worship associated with
surrounding cultures, preserving
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My Closing Message:
Deuteronomy 16 weaves together ‘memory’, ‘gratitude’, ‘justice’, and ‘unity’.
It teaches that sacred times are not only rituals but opportunities to renew
moral clarity and national purpose. The chapter reminds us that true holiness
is found not only in festivals but in ‘fairness’, ‘compassion’, and ‘unwavering
loyalty to the One who redeemed Israel’.
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