When you reap the harvest in your field and overlook a sheaf in the field, do not turn back to get it; it shall go to the stranger, the orphan, and the widow -- in order that Adonai your God may bless you in all your undertakings. When you beat down the fruit of your olive trees, do not go over them again; that shall go to the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not pick it over again; that shall go to the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. Always remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore do I enjoin you to observe this commandment. [JPS translation, edited for gender-neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. What does this text command us to do? Why does this commandment end with God's reminder to us that we were slaves in the land of Egypt?
2. Now that most of us do not live in agricultural settings, how can we apply these laws to our own gathering of resources?
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the corners of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not pick your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am Adonai your God. [JPS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. How is the system of leaving the corners and the gleanings and the fallen food for the poor different than donating food?
2. What practices or values from these laws could we integrate into our modern lives and societies?
When you have set aside in full the tenth part of your yield -- in the third year, the year of the tithe -- and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, orphan, and the widow, that they may eat their fill in your settlements, you shall declare before Adonai your God: "I have cleared out the consecrated portion from the house; and I have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the orphan and the widow, just as You commanded me; I have neither transgressed nor neglected any of Your commandments: [JPS translation, edited for gender-neutrality]
1. What are the two required actions presented here? What is the difference between the two actions?
2. What is the significance of the vow?
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; If she is thirsty, give her water to drink. [JPS translation edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Why should we help our enemies?
2. Are there ever instances when we should disregard this verse?
3. What is the significance of "bread and water?" (as opposed to generic "food and drink")
Only this was the sin of your sister Sodom: arrogance! She and her daughters had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquility; yet she did not support the poor and the needy. In their haughtiness, they committed abomination before Me; and so I removed them, as you saw. [JPS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Why are these sins classified as arrogant?
2. What does this text teach us about how we should distribute our resources among everyone?
3. Thinking globally, in what ways are wealthy nations supporting the poor and the needy? In what ways are they not?