This sheet on Deuteronomy 17 was written by Sam Blumberg for 929 and can also be found here
In Judaism, we begin our blessings with the words: “Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe…”
The traditional understanding presents God as our Ruler, the One who is at all times exercising authority and making all the things that happen, happen. So in Deuteronomy 17:15 we might be surprised to learn that if after conquering and settling the land of Israel the Israelites desire to set a flesh-and-blood ruler over themselves like the nations that surround them, they have the divine permission to do so.
However, there are parameters: the ruler (assumed to be male) must be an Israelite, may not have too many horses, too many wives, too much gold or silver. He must keep a copy of the Torah with him, to read from and to remain humble, because after all, all of that ruling can go to one’s head!
If we are to make the parallel between the (earthly) ruler and the (heavenly) Ruler, perhaps these instructions can give us some insight into God’s own way of thinking about how it feels to be the Ultimate Sovereign. Perhaps God is sharing with us that being looked up to can be frightening, so much so that you want to jump on your horse and get as far away as possible. Letting the day-in and day-out adoration of the people intoxicate you can lead you astray, and can make you forget your ultimate goals. To remain humble, God says, you must keep your fundamental values by your side at all times— not just in your head and not just in one place, but they must be with you, physically, and you must be reminded of them every day.
Today’s chapter encourages us to ask ourselves: What are the teachings that I carry and that carry me, keeping me from straying left and right and helping me to remain humble?
The traditional understanding presents God as our Ruler, the One who is at all times exercising authority and making all the things that happen, happen. So in Deuteronomy 17:15 we might be surprised to learn that if after conquering and settling the land of Israel the Israelites desire to set a flesh-and-blood ruler over themselves like the nations that surround them, they have the divine permission to do so.
However, there are parameters: the ruler (assumed to be male) must be an Israelite, may not have too many horses, too many wives, too much gold or silver. He must keep a copy of the Torah with him, to read from and to remain humble, because after all, all of that ruling can go to one’s head!
If we are to make the parallel between the (earthly) ruler and the (heavenly) Ruler, perhaps these instructions can give us some insight into God’s own way of thinking about how it feels to be the Ultimate Sovereign. Perhaps God is sharing with us that being looked up to can be frightening, so much so that you want to jump on your horse and get as far away as possible. Letting the day-in and day-out adoration of the people intoxicate you can lead you astray, and can make you forget your ultimate goals. To remain humble, God says, you must keep your fundamental values by your side at all times— not just in your head and not just in one place, but they must be with you, physically, and you must be reminded of them every day.
Today’s chapter encourages us to ask ourselves: What are the teachings that I carry and that carry me, keeping me from straying left and right and helping me to remain humble?
Sam Blumberg is a Jewish educator and rabbinical student at Hebrew College in Newton, MA.
929 is the number of chapters in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, the formative text of the Jewish heritage. It is also the name of a cutting-edge project dedicated to creating a global Jewish conversation anchored in the Hebrew Bible. 929 English invites Jews everywhere to read and study Tanakh, one chapter a day, Sunday through Thursday together with a website with creative readings and pluralistic interpretations, including audio and video, by a wide range of writers, artists, rabbis, educators, scholars, students and more. As an outgrowth of the web-based platform, 929 English also offers classes, pop-up lectures, events and across North America. We invite you to learn along with us and be part of our dynamic community.
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