Saturday, August 14, 2021

CHUCK KOLB

 Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Shoftim (Judges) - who killed Yeshua !!!


Previously posted ...

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Re’eh - The Steps on the Path of Blessing !!!
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2021/08/chuck-kolb_6.html
JESUS SPEAKS (part 7)
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2021/08/sermon-jesus-speaks-part-7.html
Apollyon's Arrow
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2021/08/chuck-kolb_10.html
Testing for President Trump ...
Emergency Test - Symposium Election Treason - Covid Camps - Cabal Fall !!!
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2021/08/chuck-kolb_13.html


These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world
ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
The war against Truth has been raging ever since
evil was expulsed from the realm of Heaven. 
God instructed Pharaoh, "Let my people go."
God instructs us, "Let my people know."
Shema Y'israel - Maranatha !
Na'aseh V'nishma

 ✡ ✡ ✡
כבוד שם יהוה Baruch Hashem Adonai  

#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to this week’s Torah Portion, which is called Shoftim (Judges). This is the portion of Scripture that will be read this week during the Shabbat (Saturday) morning services in synagogues around the world.  Please read along with us; we know you will be blessed!

Last week, in Parasha Re'eh, God set a blessing and a curse before the Israelites. The blessing was a result of obeying God's commandments and the curse a result of forsaking them. In this week’s Torah portion, Moses instructed the nation of Israel in the appointing of judges (called shoftim in Hebrew) and law enforcement officers (called shotrim) to administer justice. These judges and officers would not only teach but also interpret the laws of the Torah. Who killed Yeshua, Jesus (Your Messiah), will be revealed as you read this week’s Parasha. 

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Parasha Shoftim (Judges): Who Killed Jesus?

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/parasha-shoftim-judges-who-killed-jesus-5781/ 

Constantine and the Foundations of Anti-Semitism
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/constantine-foundations-of-anti-semitism/

Ah No Salvation and the 7 Noahide Laws
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/can-salvation-come-through-the-seven-noahide-laws/

Are You a Jew? The Answer Might Surprise You

https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-jew-fname-the-answer-might-surprise-you/

Revelation and Na'aseh V'nishma
https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/11880
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/do-first-understand-later/
We will do and we will listen to all that God has declared. Exodus 24:7

When to Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday ...
The Joy of Tabernacles when Yeshua was Born
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2019/10/chuck-kolb-10142019.html
How Yeshua was born on the Feast of Tabernacles by Rabbi Yitzchak

http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/how-yeshua-was-born-on-the-feast-of-tabernacles/

English to Hebrew to English lookup
https://context.reverso.net/translation/hebrew-english/
https://www.doitinhebrew.com/Translate/default.aspx
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day
The Best Jewish Words You Need To Know: A Yiddish and Hebrew Glossary
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/the-best-jewish-words-you-need-to-know/
https://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_Sh/hebrew_glossary_-_sh.html
A Living Library of Jewish Texts in Hebrew and English translation

https://www.sefaria.org/   https://dictionary.co.il/   https://www.hebrew-verbs.co.il/


Torah Teasers Parshat Shoftim by Moshe Erlbaum
https://www.aish.com/tp/i/teasers/Torah-Teasers-Parshat-Shoftim.html

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Ralph Messer ...
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash - Joy of God’s Teaching and Instruction

What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Every decision you make can be made in a way that you are “choosing life.” The Torah is God’s constitution; it is His teaching and instruction; it is eternal and it is life. His Spirit is pure Light, abundant with untouchable, supreme, sovereign power.
God is the Source of all life.

שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim means “judges.”  Justice, justice shall you pursue ...
Bal tashchit (do not destroy or waste) is a central, ethical principle in Jewish law.  While it is perfectly fine to use God’s creation and make use of its natural resources, it is forbidden to unnecessarily destroy anything that benefits humanity. It is also prohibited to waste water, energy, clothing, and money. By learning not to wantonly destroy, we are learning to respect and value all creation.  It teaches us self-control so that we can be people who build rather than people who destroy. When we consume resources in a sensible way without wasting, we become more conscious about what is around us and more thankful for what we’ve been given. Every little change and decision we make to champion a healthy, balanced world can have a domino effect on our families, the people around us, and our planet at large.
https://stbm.org/shoftim/

Arrive a half hour+ early for starting lessons ...
Online> Saturday Shabbat (9:00am ET / 12:30pm ET) Services and Midrash 
Online> Monday Nights with STBM 8:30pm ET  / Thursday Afternoon> 3:00 pm ET
Learn more about special event streaming when you call our team! 866-867-2488
https://stbm.org/stbm-live-main/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/RalphMesser/videos
https://stbm.org/study-home/  https://stbm.org/rrm-subscriptions/ 

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Todah Rabah - Dr. Gary Hedrick ...
Reaching the Jewish people with the Gospel
https://www.cjfm.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/
Charles Halff - What It Costs a Jew to Become a Christian

https://store.cjfm.org/product/146/what-it-costs-a-jew-to-become-a-christian

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Yitzchak ...

The Mark of the Beast is Coming Quickly Upon Us!
https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/news/the-mark-of-the-beast-is-coming-quickly-upon-us/
https://www.youtube.com/c/AssemblyofCalledOutBelievers/videos
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/sermon-topic/torah-parashot/
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/free-downloads/
https://www.facebook.com/CalledOutBelievers/ at 10am PT
The Importance and Beauty of Tzitzit
https://player.vimeo.com/video/152885286
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/tzitzit/
The Hidden Beauty of the Holy Name of God - YHVH
vid> https://youtu.be/dbb45zmkli4 (20:59)


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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ...

Weekly Torah Study: with Rav Gedalia Meyer
Positivity & the Holy Temple with Rabbi Abba Horovitz
Temple Talk Radio with Yitzchak Reuven
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTempleInstitute/videos
https://www.facebook.com/The-Temple-Institute-22738684968/
https://www.instagram.com/thetempleinstitute/ - https://twitter.com/TempleInstitute
https://www.templeinstitute.org/ w Weekly Newsletter - 34 years

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Jachter ...
Kol Torah Academy of Bergen County 
Parashah Shoftim - Elul 5, 5781 - August 13, 2021
https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=Shoftim
https://www.koltorah.org/by-parashah https://www.koltorah.org/about-us
https://www.koltorah.org/rav-jachters-halachah-files
TABC Summer Edition (43 page pdf)
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a676111d74cffa4d903806e/t/60d95c17b495d93fdc71f550/1624857623992/Kol+Torah+Summer+Edition.pdf
Yeshiva - https://www.tabc.org/


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Parshat Shoftim

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2278/jewish/Shoftim-in-a-Nutshell.htm
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=8/14/2021 
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  
https://israel365.com/  https://www.israel365news.com/
https://www.israel365.com/about/  https://theisraelbible.com/

The Portion of Shoftim

https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/book-deuteronomy/portion-shoftim/
https://theisraelbible.com/2015/07/14/book-deuteronomy/
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/ 

Lawmaker sees Isaiah’s prophecy happening after ex-Intelligence official approves of Muslim Mossad chief
by David Sidman

Ram Ben Barak,  “doesn’t see any problem with the deputy director of the Mossad being a Muslim-Arab.”
https://www.israel365news.com/195932/lawmaker-sees-isaiahs-prophecy-happening-after-ex-intelligence-official-approves-of-muslim-mossad-chief/

Russia, China hold joint military exercise for first time: A precursor to Gog-Magog War, says rabbi
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz 

Russia and China: a growing alliance.
https://www.israel365news.com/195853/russia-and-china-hold-joint-military-exercise-for-first-time-a-precursor-to-gog-magog-war-says-rabbi/

Bible Code in Genesis hints at Gog and Magog against Russia this Sukkoth
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz

In his video, Rabbi Glazerson noted that not only is the name of Gog
mentioned explicitly in that line but it also appears vertically in the code.
GOG & MAGOG - 5782 - 2021 - MONTH TISHREI - MSUCOTH IN BIBLE CODE MATITYAHU GLAZERSON
vid> https://youtu.be/2bI_t9YT-Gg (17:41)

https://www.youtube.com/c/matityahuglazerson/videos
https://www.israel365news.com/195983/bible-code-in-genesis-hints-at-gog-and-magog-against-russia-this-sukkoth/

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the United States.
Stand with 100,000+ people who stand with Israel.
https://www.israel365.com/the-israel-covenant/

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Jared and Ivanka Yael Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ...

I got the shot !!!  (file under I can't believe it's real)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNqQe5QBVES/
My second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.instagram.com/p/COgNdNFhabu/

https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/
https://twitter.com/ivankatrump 
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

President Donald J. Trump
https://www.45office.com/
https://gab.com/realdonaldtrump
https://t.me/real_DonaldJTrump
http://Instagram.com/realDonaldTrump 
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/desk 
https://rumble.com/c/DonaldTrump
https://gettr.com/user/realtrump_

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Good News From Israel - Achievements and Heartwarming Stories
In the 8th Aug 21 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2021/08/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-8th-aug.html
http://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/ 

Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly - https://mishpacha.com/ 

Empire of Fear 
How a powerful, vindictive Andrew Cuomo bullied Jewish activists into submission
by Yochonon Donn 8/10/21
Obsessed and Vicious - For me personally, covering the governor has been exhausting.
https://mishpacha.com/empire-of-fear/

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 19+ years ... 
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 

THIS VIDEO WILL PUT YOU IN A STATE OF SHOCK PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.
ZELENKO (TRUMP’S DOCTOR) TELLS ISRAEL THEY GENOCIDED THE JEWS
& JUST SACRIFICED THEIR KIDS TO MOLOCH
vid> https://www.bitchute.com/video/8MjqDmcIFuNG/  (30:36)
https://www.bitchute.com/channel/dr-judy-mikovits/
Interview with Dr. Zelenko with the Latest about Covid-19 and the Shot (51:59)
vid> https://rumble.com/vk29j3-interview-with-dr.-zelenko-with-the-latest-about-covid-19-and-the-shot.html
https://rumble.com/user/VoiceofEmet  The Pulse of Israel Avi Abelow - https://pulseofisrael.com/
https://www.israpundit.org/zelenko-trumps-doctor-tells-israel-they-genocided-the-jews-just-sacrificed-their-kids-to-moloch/

Why I Refuse to Be Vaccinated
by Steve McCann - AM THINKER
I have been vilified for refusing to be jabbed with an experimental vaccine.
https://www.israpundit.org/why-i-refuse-to-be-vaccinated/
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/08/why_i_refuse_to_be_vaccinated.html

The Agenda for Serfdom in the Land of the Free
by Janet Levy - AM THINKER
Conservative commentator Glenn Beck’s dystopic novel Agenda 21 opens with the chilling line: They took Mother away today.
https://www.israpundit.org/the-agenda-for-serfdom-in-the-land-of-the-free-by-janet-levy/
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/08/the_agenda_for_serfdom_in_the_land_of_the_free.html

Antisemitism and the Jewish State
by Victor Rosenthal
Jews have always been in the minority in their temporary diasporic homes, and so they have usually been at the mercy of antisemites.
https://www.israpundit.org/antisemitism-and-the-jewish-state/
http://abuyehuda.com/2021/08/antisemitism-and-the-jewish-state/

Iran Fantasizes That It Has Israel On The Run
by Hugh Fitzgerald - FRONTPAGEMAG 
The Mullahs’ delusions.
https://www.israpundit.org/iran-fantasizes-that-it-has-israel-on-the-run/
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2021/08/iran-fantasizes-it-has-israel-run-hugh-fitzgerald/

>> The Jordan Option, plain and simple
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-plain-and-simple/
>> The Jordanian Option is the only game in town
https://www.israpundit.org/my-jordan-option-is-the-only-game-in-town/

Kindly donate to support the work I do
by Ted Belman
https://www.israpundit.org/kindly-donate-to-support-the-work-i-do/
https://www.israpundit.org/my-half-yearly-appeal-for-donations/

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Quest For The Lost Tribes - Full Simcha Jacobovici Documentary
vid> https://www.bitchute.com/video/jbB2ELq4xPw/ (1:33:29) 8/18/19
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simcha_Jacobovici
12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3798842/jewish/12-Tribes-of-Israel-The-Shevatim.htm
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/blog/who-are-tribes-judah


In this week’s Parsha Shoftim,
Moses instructs the people of Israel to appoint judges and law enforcement administrators in every city. “Justice, justice shall you pursue,” Moses explains, without corruption or favoritism to the rich or powerful. In my mind, I think of the scales of justice in perfect balance. On my plate, I think of the scales of a delicious butterflied fish. This fish can be served as a main course for a lighter meal, but here I offer a full Shabbat menu from fish to nuts.
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/simple-shabbat-menu/

Honey and Rosh Hashanah and How To Have a Sweet New Year
Wishing you the sweetest of blessings in the year to come and only good, always.  
36 Recipes with Honey - Shana Tova U'Metuka

https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/honey-and-rosh-hashanah-and-how-to-have-a-sweet-new-year/

Gluten Free Rosh Hashanah Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/gluten-free-rosh-hashanah-recipes/
 
The best Moroccan fish recipe
https://hakshiva.org/refocus/

A parve/dairy Shabbat menu
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/nectarine-and-tomato-salad/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/cranberry-walnut-salmon-on-a-bed-of-spinach/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/mediterranean-salad-with-roasted-vegetables-and-whole-wheat-couscous/ 
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/bursting-with-blueberries-tart/

Summer-Fresh Confetti Walnut Quinoa Salad
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/summer-fresh-confetti-walnut-quinoa-salad/

Breakfast for dinner - serve anytime of the day
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/caramelized-red-onion-dill-frittata-with-smoked-salmon/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/baked-eggs-in-avocado/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/chicken-fried-portobello-steak-and-chive-eggs/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/light-as-a-feather-whole-wheat-pancakes/

Classic & Matbucha Bialys - Ashkenazi pastry
from the city of Bialystok in Poland - Kashrut Olam Haba ...
vid> https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/F9ihkDNS-FSMnt4zj.html (2:00) JewLish
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/classic-matbucha-bialys/

LIVE Series: FEED YOUR SOUL
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/feed-your-soul/

Jamie's Quick & Easy Shabbat Menu App
all your Shabbat meals in one convenient place
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/cookbooks/quick-and-easy-shabbat-menus/

Simchat Torah Menus
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/simchat-torah/simchat-torah-menus/
Vegan Recipes
https://www.pinterest.com/JamieGeller/vegan-recipes/
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/ 

This is Where You Can Find Me Most of the Time
JewLish - One People - Many Flavors

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpomjPnHcZ/
https://www.instagram.com/jamiegeller/
https://www.facebook.com/jamiegeller
https://www.facebook.com/jewlishbyjamie/

Joy of Aliyah 
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/
https://jamiegeller.com/tag/joyofisrael/
Jamie Geller Welcome's You
vid> https://youtu.be/XO-owES713c (0:35)
Lots of 💕 Jamie

The answer is, it's made with love from Israel ! 
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/my-jewish-food-memories/
My Love Affair With Jerusalem
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/my-love-affair-with-jerusalem/
Lots of 💕 Jamie - Until next week Shabbat Shalom from Israel ! 

The Jamie Geller Spice Collection: Now Available Worldwide!
Sending you love and my heartfelt wishes for peace, from Israel.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jamie+Geller/page/55E36343-CF6F-4E88-A4D5-D7C1C0274F7F
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jamiegeller 
Adding Israel Wildflower Honey to my Amazon collection
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BN1985Q/

Babies, Books, and a Billion Views: My Decade in Review
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/a-decade-in-review/

Best of the Best w Hubby - Family Heirloom Cholent ...
vid> https://youtu.be/Ae2-lQVFsGw (12:01) 8/11/11 JG classic
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/family-heirloom-chulent/

Jamie at Aish - Chief Media & Marketing Officer
https://www.aish.com/authors/48868432.html
https://www.aishhatorah.com/
How You Can Make the Future Brighter
vid> https://youtu.be/fclstyB-1rA (2:48) Aish
https://www.youtube.com/c/Aishdotcom/videos

The Influence of the Hebrew Bible on America's Founding Fathers
vid> https://youtu.be/jE6Sqh-kezw (7:15) J-TV
https://www.aish.com/jl/h/h/The-Influence-of-the-Hebrew-Bible-on-Americas-Founding.html
Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. An Introduction
https://www.aish.com/jl/b/eb/ge/48966101.html

Jamie Hanala Geller
https://jamiegeller.com/author/jamie-geller/
Tamar Genger MA, RD

https://jamiegeller.com/author/tgenger/
The High Holiday Recipe Collection - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/om8u2hvu10jwaeo5xuzi/
Beef Bacon 101 - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/jeithgmmua2s7fpzrgzk/
A Passover for Everyone - Aish and Jamie - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/sqyphcgmojgxtcq32ndx/
The Ultimate Challah - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.ac-page.com/pinterest-challah
Comforting Soups - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/vp6jenajjphxppjobhib/
Rosh Hashanah Sides - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/lmhvzqio815zbglkdar8/
Modern Israeli Kebobs - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.acemlnc.com/lt.php?s=a476321cee1a62660d5e43a07fe84c19&i=109A824A1A5341
Modern Israeli Summer - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/myjxowbuybzbzl3de8zb/
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/qlxqz3dqauo76fhgwlfd/
The Perfect Turkey Guide - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/g4ibbdtyf0mfdt5fudgu/
Join My WayBetter Cooking Class with Jamie Geller
https://get.waybetter.com/jamiegeller/

Appoint judges [shoftim] and officials [shotrim] for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you,
and they shall judge [shafat] the people fairly [tzedek mishpat / righteous judgment]. Deuteronomy 16:18



Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Shoftim (Judges) - who killed Yeshua !!!

 
Who killed Yeshua, Jesus (Your Messiah), will be revealed as you read this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion), which is named Shoftim (Judges).
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read this week during the Shabbat (Saturday) morning services in synagogues around the world.  Please read along with us; we know you will be blessed!
 
SHOFTIM (Judges)
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9; Isaiah 51:12–52:12; Mark 14:53–64
 
“Appoint judges [shoftim] and officials [shotrim] for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge [shafat] the people fairly [tzedek mishpat / righteous judgment].”  (Deuteronomy 16:18)
 

A Jewish youth wearing tefillin (phylacteries) reads from the Torah scroll,
keeping his place with a yad (Torah pointer).
 
Last week, in Parasha Re'eh, God set a blessing and
a curse before the Israelites.

The blessing was a result of obeying God's commandments and the curse a result of forsaking them.
 
In this week’s Torah portion, Moses instructed the nation of Israel in the appointing of judges (called shoftim in Hebrew) and law enforcement officers (called shotrim) to administer justice.  These judges and officers would not only teach but also interpret the laws of the Torah.
 
What is the difference between a judge and an officer?  A judge refers to one qualified to deliver judgments according to the laws of the Torah.  The officer then enforces these legal judgments, even by force if necessary.
 
The Hebrew prophet Isaiah promised that there would come a day when judges would be restored as in the days of old:  “I shall restore your judges [shoftim] as at first, and your counselors [yaats] as at the beginning.”  (Isaiah 1:26)
 
Although Isaiah mentions the judges, the officers do not appear in this prophecy, but rather “counselors.”
 

A Jewish boy reads the Jewish prayer book at
the Western (Wailing) Wall.

Why will counselors replace the role of officers?
 
In the days of redemption, when the Messiah returns to rule and reign in righteousness, there will be no need for “enforcers” of the Torah.
 
In the Messianic era, all will have such a deep desire to follow and obey the Lord that only counselors will be needed to explain and clarify (not to enforce) the decisions of the judges.
 
Even today (before that great day of the Lord that is to come) those who are truly in Messiah do not need external coercion to keep God’s commandments and judgments.
 
For when we have been given a new heart and a new spirit, there arises within us a desire to keep God’s laws and commandments, not in a spirit of legalism, but out of a heart of love:
 
“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  (Ezekiel 36:27)
 
For those who believe in Yeshua (Jesus) but do not observe His commandments in the Torah, the question we need to ask is, “Why not?”  
Either the person is not truly following Yeshua and filled with His Holy Spirit, or they have received and accepted a teaching of false grace which erroneously emphasizes freedom from guilt over freedom from sin.
 
Certainly, Yeshua did not pay the ultimate price to set us free from bondage to sin so that we can continue sinning without guilt.
 
"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." 
(1 John 3:4)
 

An open Torah scroll
 
Pursuing Justice for All
“Do not pervert justice or show partiality.  Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”  (Deuteronomy 16:19)
 
This Parasha warns that judges (or magistrates) are not to show any kind of partiality or favoritism.  They are forbidden from accepting a bribe.  It is written that God shows no favoritism but accepts anyone from any nation who fears Him and does what is right (Acts 10:34).
 
Justice has always been a fundamental value in Judaism; therefore, it was to be administered without corruption.  Difficult cases could be referred to a higher court, which was called the Sanhedrin in Second Temple times.
 
"Tzedek, tzedek tirdof — Justice, justice you shall pursue."  (Deuteronomy 16:20)
 
A thorough investigation of crimes was required, and in order to deliver punishment upon a criminal, a minimum of two credible witnesses were required.
 
As we shall see, this is why the trial of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) was completely unjust and contrary to Jewish law — and yet it was God’s will that He suffer and die on the execution stake.
 

A Jewish young woman buries her face in a siddur (Jewish prayer book)
as she prays at the Western (Wailing) Wall.

Who Killed Yeshua?
The question is often asked, “Who killed Yeshua?”
Usually, the blame is placed upon the Jews, with accusations of “Christ Killer” fueling the fires of anti-Semitism over the centuries.  But is this accusation true?
 
To answer that, we only need to look at the record of Yeshua’s trial.
 
Yeshua did not receive a trial by jury.  In Jewish law, the judge would hear and evaluate an accusation from two impartial witnesses.  If two or three witnesses would agree, the judge would issue a conviction; but in Yeshua’s case, the witnesses against Him presented false testimony.
 
“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Yeshua to put Him to death, but they could find none.  For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree.”  (Mark 14:55–56)
 
Because the testimony of the witnesses did not agree, the judges could not convict him.
 
Thus, the Sanhedrin had no other choice but to ask Yeshua directly if He claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God — a charge to which He confessed, thereby positioning Himself as being guilty of blasphemy, which carried the death penalty.
 
Again the high priest questioned Him, Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?
 
I am, said Yeshua, and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.
 
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, Why do we still need witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy!  What is your decision?
 
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.”  
(Mark 14:61–64)
 

The False Witnesses, by James Tissot (Brooklyn Museum)
 
This interrogation essentially reveals that neither the Jewish Sanhedrin nor the Roman authorities could have killed Yeshua without His cooperation.
 
Even some of the Roman soldiers came to believe that Yeshua truly was the Son of God.
 
“When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Yeshua, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, ‘This man really was God’s Son!’”  (Matthew 27:54)
 
So to answer the question of who killed Yeshua, we only need to look at His trial to see that He willingly gave the authorities the “confession” they needed to condemn Him to death.
 
Yeshua, however, said that He lay down His life of His own accord — to save us from our sins as the promised Messiah.
 
He said by His own words, “The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life — only to take it up again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from My Father.”  (John 10:17–18)
 

The Crucifixion, Seen From the Execution Stake
,
by James Tissot
 
Keeping the Nation Holy
“You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.”  (Leviticus 20:26)
 
One purpose God chose a people for Himself was so He could show the world what holiness looks like.  Parasha Shoftim, therefore, forbids the following:
 
Idolatry  
In the 17th chapter of Deuteronomy, God prohibits idolatry.  Anyone found guilty of this crime would be stoned to death according to the laws of the Torah, upon the testimony of two or three witnesses.
 
“On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.”  (Deuteronomy 17:6)
 
Why were such harsh penalties in place for worshiping false gods?
 
Although in our day, there exists a great emphasis on human rights and free choice, God's law is concerned with preserving purity and Godliness.
 
By purging evil from the nation, holiness was protected.
 
“The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death, and then the hands of all the people.  You must purge the evil from among you.”  (Deuteronomy 17:7)
 

"Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in
office at that time.  Inquire of them and they will give
you the verdict."  (Deuteronomy 17:9)
 
The Occult
All forms of occult practices also carried the death penalty.
 
These included many spiritual practices that are commonplace today and for the most part widely accepted: sorcery, divination, fortune telling, astrology, wizardry, and listening to psychics, mediums or those who act as a channel for spirits of the dead.
 
God acknowledges that pagans participate in the occult, but these practices are part of what leads to the downfall of nations and they are forbidden for any of God’s people.
 
Receiving guidance from one’s astrological chart, reading palms or tea leaves, attending séances, or even using Ouiji boards are not permitted for people of God; nevertheless, many today (either in ignorance or defiance of the law) read books about wizards and dabble in the occult.
 
This is a dangerous spiritual path.
 
“The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination.  But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.”  (Deuteronomy 18:14)
 

Two Jewish men and a boy walk together in Israel.
 
False Prophets
Lying and deception is another form of evil that taints holiness.
 
Israel is warned to beware of false prophets.  Only those whose words come true are to be trusted as true prophets of God.
 
“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.  That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.”  (Deuteronomy 18:22)
 
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