Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Shoftim – Judges
Torah: Devarim 16:18 – 21:9
For thousands of years men have been trying to “improve” the different locations where they “worship” their gods. This “remodeling” is an attempt to infuse participating individuals with a “sense of awe” while they are engaging in their worship “rituals”. The Scriptures give us specific instructions on this topic.
Here is what it teaches:
You shall not plant you a grove of any trees near to the altar of Avinu Elohekah, which you shall make you. 22 Neither shall you set you up any image; which Avinu Elohekah hates. (Devarim 16:21)
The first worship sites were composed of twelve stones arranged in a specific pattern. Those first sites also came with a warning:
5 And there you shall build an altar to Avinu Elohekah, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them. 6 You shall build with whole stones the altar of Avinu Elohekah, and offer burnt offerings on it to Avinu Elohekah. (De 27:5-6)
The Scriptures are clear – no enhancements and no images of any kind.
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