Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: B’Chukkotay in My statutes
Torah: V’Ikra 26:3 – 27:34
The Scriptures are replete with stories of humanity dying by the hand of another human being. There are some who believe that the Scriptures speak of human sacrifices that were commanded by Avinu. Here is one of the better known passages that a neophyte might “assume” to lead to a human being put to death to satisfy Avinu’s command.
“30 And Jephthah vowed a vow to Avinu, and said, If you shall without fail deliver the children of Ammon into my hands, 31 Then it shall be, that whatever comes forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be Avinu’s, and I will offer it up for (as) a burnt offering. 32 So Jephthah passed over to the children of Ammon to fight against them; and Avinu delivered them into his hands. 33 And he smote them from Aroer, even till you come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and to the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. 34 And Jephthah came to Mizpeh to his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! you have brought me very low, and you are one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth to Avinu, and I cannot go back. 36 And she said to him, My father, if you have opened your mouth to Avinu, do to me according to that which has proceeded out of your mouth; for as much as Avinu has taken vengeance for you of your enemies, even of the children of Ammon. 37 And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down on the mountains, and mourn my virginity, I and my fellows. 38 And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains. 39 And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned to her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, 40 That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.” (Jud 11:30-40)
According to the Scriptures that were given to Israel about two hundred years earlier, Jeptha had two choices that he could choose from. Here is the Scripture defining the first choice:
“1 And Avinu spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for Avinu by your estimation. 3 And your estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even to sixty years old, even your estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 And if it be a female, then your estimation shall be thirty shekels. 5 And if it be from five years old even to twenty years old, then your estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.” (Le 27:1-5 )
Jeptha could have “redeemed” his daughter from having to serve out his vow. It would have cost him 10 shekels. However, it was more important to Jeptha to stay true to his vow even if it meant a lifetime commitment to live as a Nazerite from his daughter.
Here is a description of Jeptha’s second choice:
“And she vowed a vow, and said, O Adoni Tzaviot, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man child, then I will give him to Avinu all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.” (1Sa 1:11 )
“20 Why it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Avinu. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Avinu the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said to her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Avinu, and there abide for ever.” (1Sa 1:20-22 )
“27 For this child I prayed; and Avinu has given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to Avinu; as long as he lives he shall be lent to Avinu. And he worshipped Avinu there.” (1Sa 1:27-28 )
“And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister to Avinu before Eli the priest.” (1Sa 2:11 )
“But Samuel ministered before Avinu, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.” (1Sa 2:18 )
“And Avinu visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Avinu.” (1Sa 2:21 )
“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with Avinu, and also with men.” (1Sa 2:26 )
“And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before my anointed for ever.” (1Sa 2:35 )
“19 And Samuel grew, and Avinu was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Avinu.” (1Sa 3:19-20 )
So Samuel served out his time serving Avinu because of his mother’s vow. She also chose not to “redeem” her son from his holy service.
Later, Samuel did marry and have several sons.
Here is an interesting passage describing another woman who served in the Temple for many years. It’s not clear whether she made a vow or just volunteered to serve.
“36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served Avinu with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise to Avinu, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Lu 2:36-38)
The next passage is a very specific command that prohibits human sacrifice:
“ Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their demon idols, saying, How did these nations serve their demon idols? even so will I do likewise. 31 You shall not do so to Avinu Elohekah: for every abomination to Avinu, which he hates, have they done to their demon idols; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their demon idols.” (De 12:30-31 )
Finally is a passage that guarantees a just retribution against an Israelite who kills his slave.
“And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.” (Ex 21:20 )
Here is what Yeshua teaches, “33 Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to Avinu your oaths: 34 But I say to you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is Avinu’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no: for whatever is more than these comes of evil.” (Mt 5:33-37)
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