Parashat Shoftim - Fourth Aliyah

A whole heart instead of control

Two pictures stand facing each other: a Levite who comes to serve “bechol avat nafsho” (with all the desire of his soul, 18:6) and receives an equal share, against cultures that seek control through divination, soothsaying and omens. The Torah sets out an alternative: “Tamim tihyeh im Adonai Elohecha” (you shall be wholehearted with Adonai your God, 18:13).

Key verses

• “uva bechol avat nafsho el hamakom asher yivchar Adonai” (and he comes with all the desire of his soul to the place that Adonai will choose, 18:6).

• “Vesheret beshem Adonai Elohav kechol echav halviyim” (and he shall serve in the name of Adonai his God like all his brothers the Levites, 18:7).

• “Chelek kechelek yochelu levad mimkarav al ha’avot” (they shall eat equal portions, apart from his sales upon the fathers, 18:8).

• The prohibitions on sorcery and divination in all their forms (18:10-11).

• “Ki to’avat Adonai kol oseh eleh” (for whoever does these is an abomination to Adonai, 18:12), and facing it “Tamim tihyeh” (you shall be wholehearted, 18:13).

The central idea: equality of mission, and trust instead of magic

The Levite is not bound to the city of his birth. Any Levite may go up to the place that God will choose and serve, and receive “Chelek kechelek” (an equal portion, 18:8). The service of God is open, not the preserve of local elites. Against this stands the pull of the heart toward spiritual shortcuts: divination, soothsaying, mediums and oracles, an attempt to engineer reality. The Torah calls for the opposite. Do not manage the future by magical means, but with a whole heart, with loyalty, obedience and trust.

A small precision

“levad mimkarav al ha’avot” (apart from his sales upon the fathers, 18:8): equality in the division of the sacred, alongside private rights that already exist from home. The rule is public responsibility together with economic honesty.

Avoid depending on knowledge of the future, on astrology and on energies. Base decisions on Torah, on conscience and on good counsel. That is the daily practice of “Tamim tihyeh” (you shall be wholehearted, 18:13).