Shoftim (שֹׁפְטִים)
Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9
Fifth Aliyah
18:14
The nations that you are driving out listen to astrologers and stick diviners, but what God has given you is totally different.
The nations that you are driving out listen to astrologers and stick diviners, but what God has given you is totally different.
Ki hagoyim ha’eleh asher atah yoresh otam el-me’onenim ve’el-kosmim yishma’u ve’atah lo chen natan lecha Adonay Eloheycha.
כִּי הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יוֹרֵשׁ אוֹתָם–אֶל-מְעֹנְנִים וְאֶל-קֹסְמִים, יִשְׁמָעוּ; וְאַתָּה–לֹא כֵן, נָתַן לְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ.
18:15
In your midst, God will set up for you a prophet like me from among your brethren, and it is to him that you must listen.
In your midst, God will set up for you a prophet like me from among your brethren, and it is to him that you must listen.
Navi mikirbecha me’acheycha kamoni yakim lecha Adonay Eloheycha elav tishma’un.
נָבִיא מִקִּרְבְּךָ מֵאַחֶיךָ כָּמֹנִי, יָקִים לְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ: אֵלָיו, תִּשְׁמָעוּן.
18:16
This is a result of the request that you made of God your Lord at Horeb on the Day of Assembly, [when you] said, ‘We cannot listen to the voice of God our Lord any more! We cannot look at this great fire any more! We do not want to die!’
This is a result of the request that you made of God your Lord at Horeb on the Day of Assembly, [when you] said, ‘We cannot listen to the voice of God our Lord any more! We cannot look at this great fire any more! We do not want to die!’
Kechol asher-sha’alta me’im Adonay Eloheycha beChorev beyom hakahal lemor lo osef lishmoa et-kol Adonay Elohay ve’et-ha’esh hagedolah hazot lo-er’eh od velo amut.
כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר-שָׁאַלְתָּ מֵעִם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּחֹרֵב, בְּיוֹם הַקָּהָל, לֵאמֹר: לֹא אֹסֵף, לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶת-קוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי, וְאֶת-הָאֵשׁ הַגְּדֹלָה הַזֹּאת לֹא-אֶרְאֶה עוֹד, וְלֹא אָמוּת.
18:17
God then said to me, ‘They have spoken well.
God then said to me, ‘They have spoken well.
Vayomer Adonay elay heytivu asher diberu.
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, אֵלָי: הֵיטִיבוּ, אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּרוּ.
18:18
I will set up a prophet for them from among their brethren, just as you are. I will place My word in his mouth, and he will declare to them all that I command him.
I will set up a prophet for them from among their brethren, just as you are. I will place My word in his mouth, and he will declare to them all that I command him.
Navi akim lahem mikerev acheyhem kamocha venatati devaray befiv vediber aleyhem et kol-asher atsavenu.
נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיהֶם, כָּמוֹךָ; וְנָתַתִּי דְבָרַי, בְּפִיו, וְדִבֶּר אֲלֵיהֶם, אֵת כָּל-אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּנּוּ.
18:19
If any person does not listen to the word that he declares in My name, I will punish [that person].
If any person does not listen to the word that he declares in My name, I will punish [that person].
Vehayah ha’ish asher lo-yishma el-devaray asher yedaber bishmi anochi edrosh me’imo.
וְהָיָה, הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יִשְׁמַע אֶל-דְּבָרַי, אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר, בִּשְׁמִי–אָנֹכִי, אֶדְרֹשׁ מֵעִמּוֹ.
18:20
Conversely, if a prophet presumptuously makes a declaration in My name when I have not commanded him to do so, or if he speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet shall die.’
Conversely, if a prophet presumptuously makes a declaration in My name when I have not commanded him to do so, or if he speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet shall die.’
Ach hanavi asher yazid ledaber davar bishmi et asher lo-tsivitiv ledaber va’asher yedaber beshem elohim acherim umet hanavi hahu.
אַךְ הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר יָזִיד לְדַבֵּר דָּבָר בִּשְׁמִי, אֵת אֲשֶׁר לֹא-צִוִּיתִיו לְדַבֵּר, וַאֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר, בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים–וּמֵת, הַנָּבִיא הַהוּא.
18:21
You may ask yourselves, ‘How shall we recognize that a declaration was not spoken by God?’
You may ask yourselves, ‘How shall we recognize that a declaration was not spoken by God?’
Vechi tomar bilvavecha eychah neda et-hadavar asher lo-dibro Adonay.
וְכִי תֹאמַר, בִּלְבָבֶךָ: אֵיכָה נֵדַע אֶת-הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-דִבְּרוֹ יְהוָה.
18:22
If the prophet predicts something in God’s name, and the prediction does not materialize or come true, then the message was not spoken by God. That prophet has spoken deceitfully, and you must not fear him.
If the prophet predicts something in God’s name, and the prediction does not materialize or come true, then the message was not spoken by God. That prophet has spoken deceitfully, and you must not fear him.
Asher yedaber hanavi beshem Adonay velo-yiheyeh hadavar velo yavo hu hadavar asher lo-dibro Adonay bezadon dibero hanavi lo tagur mimenu.
אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר הַנָּבִיא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה, וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה הַדָּבָר וְלֹא יָבֹא–הוּא הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-דִבְּרוֹ יְהוָה: בְּזָדוֹן דִּבְּרוֹ הַנָּבִיא, לֹא תָגוּר מִמֶּנּוּ.
19:1
When God your Lord excises the nations in the land that God your Lord is giving you, so that you can occupy it and live in their cities and houses,
When God your Lord excises the nations in the land that God your Lord is giving you, so that you can occupy it and live in their cities and houses,
Ki-yachrit Adonay Eloheycha et-hagoyim asher Adonay Eloheycha noten lecha et-artsam virishtam veyashavta ve’areyhem uvevateyhem.
כִּי-יַכְרִית יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֶת-הַגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, נֹתֵן לְךָ אֶת-אַרְצָם; וִירִשְׁתָּם, וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בְעָרֵיהֶם וּבְבָתֵּיהֶם.
19:2
you must separate three cities in the land which God your Lord is giving you to occupy.
you must separate three cities in the land which God your Lord is giving you to occupy.
Shalosh arim tavdil lach betoch artsecha asher Adonay Eloheycha noten lecha lerishtah.
שָׁלוֹשׁ עָרִים, תַּבְדִּיל לָךְ: בְּתוֹךְ אַרְצְךָ–אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, נֹתֵן לְךָ לְרִשְׁתָּהּ.
19:3
Establish yourself a road, and divide the land area that God your Lord is allotting you into three parts. [The cities in each of these parts] shall be places where a murderer can find refuge.
Establish yourself a road, and divide the land area that God your Lord is allotting you into three parts. [The cities in each of these parts] shall be places where a murderer can find refuge.
Tachin lecha haderech veshilashta et-gvul artsecha asher yanchilcha Adonay Eloheycha vehayah lanus shamah kol-rotse’ach.
תָּכִין לְךָ, הַדֶּרֶךְ, וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ אֶת-גְּבוּל אַרְצְךָ, אֲשֶׁר יַנְחִילְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ; וְהָיָה, לָנוּס שָׁמָּה כָּל-רֹצֵחַ.
19:4
The murderer who seeks refuge [in these cities] shall be allowed to live if he accidentally killed his neighbor, without prior hatred.
The murderer who seeks refuge [in these cities] shall be allowed to live if he accidentally killed his neighbor, without prior hatred.
Vezeh dvar harotse’ach asher-yanus shamah vachay asher yakeh et-re’ehu bivli-da’at vehu lo-sone lo mitmol shilshom.
וְזֶה דְּבַר הָרֹצֵחַ, אֲשֶׁר-יָנוּס שָׁמָּה וָחָי: אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּה אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ בִּבְלִי-דַעַת, וְהוּא לֹא-שֹׂנֵא לוֹ מִתְּמֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם.
19:5
[Thus for example,] one may join his friend in the forest to cut wood, and as his hand swings the ax to cut the wood, the head slips off the handle, striking the friend and killing him. In such a case, [the accidental killer] shall find refuge in one of these cities and live.
[Thus for example,] one may join his friend in the forest to cut wood, and as his hand swings the ax to cut the wood, the head slips off the handle, striking the friend and killing him. In such a case, [the accidental killer] shall find refuge in one of these cities and live.
Va’asher yavo et-re’ehu vaya’ar lachtov etsim venidechah yado vagarzen lichrot ha’ets venashal habarzel min-ha’ets umatsa et-re’ehu vamet hu yanus el-achat he’arim-ha’eleh vachay.
וַאֲשֶׁר יָבֹא אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ בַיַּעַר, לַחְטֹב עֵצִים, וְנִדְּחָה יָדוֹ בַגַּרְזֶן לִכְרֹת הָעֵץ, וְנָשַׁל הַבַּרְזֶל מִן-הָעֵץ וּמָצָא אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ וָמֵת: הוּא, יָנוּס אֶל-אַחַת הֶעָרִים-הָאֵלֶּה–וָחָי.
19:6
If the journey were too far, however, the blood avenger would be able to pursue the killer in hot anger and catch up to him. He could then kill him, even though [the killer] did not previously hate his victim, and therefore could not lawfully be put to death.
If the journey were too far, however, the blood avenger would be able to pursue the killer in hot anger and catch up to him. He could then kill him, even though [the killer] did not previously hate his victim, and therefore could not lawfully be put to death.
Pen-yirdof go’el hadam acharey harotse’ach ki yecham levavo vehisigo ki-yirbeh haderech vehikahu nafesh velo eyn mishpat-mavet ki lo sone hu lo mitmol shilshom.
פֶּן-יִרְדֹּף גֹּאֵל הַדָּם אַחֲרֵי הָרֹצֵחַ, כִּי-יֵחַם לְבָבוֹ, וְהִשִּׂיגוֹ כִּי-יִרְבֶּה הַדֶּרֶךְ, וְהִכָּהוּ נָפֶשׁ; וְלוֹ, אֵין מִשְׁפַּט-מָוֶת, כִּי לֹא שֹׂנֵא הוּא לוֹ, מִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם.
19:7
It is for this reason that I am commanding you to separate three cities.
It is for this reason that I am commanding you to separate three cities.
Al-ken anochi metsavecha lemor shalosh arim tavdil lach.
עַל-כֵּן אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ, לֵאמֹר: שָׁלֹשׁ עָרִים, תַּבְדִּיל לָךְ.
19:8
God will [eventually] expand your borders, as He swore to your fathers, and He will give you all the territory that He promised them.
God will [eventually] expand your borders, as He swore to your fathers, and He will give you all the territory that He promised them.
Ve’im-yarchiv Adonay Eloheycha et-gvulecha ka’asher nishba la’avoteycha venatan lecha et-kol-ha’arets asher diber latet la’avoteycha.
וְאִם-יַרְחִיב יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אֶת-גְּבֻלְךָ, כַּאֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע, לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ; וְנָתַן לְךָ אֶת-כָּל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לָתֵת לַאֲבֹתֶיךָ.
19:9
He will do so because you will carefully keep the entire mandate that I am prescribing for you today, loving God your Lord, and constantly walking in all His paths. [When your borders are thus expanded] you will have to add an additional three cities to the above-mentioned three.
He will do so because you will carefully keep the entire mandate that I am prescribing for you today, loving God your Lord, and constantly walking in all His paths. [When your borders are thus expanded] you will have to add an additional three cities to the above-mentioned three.
Ki-tishmor et-kol-hamitsvah hazot la’asotah asher anochi metsavecha hayom le’ahavah et-Adonay Eloheycha velalechet bidrachav kol-hayamim veyasafta lecha od shalosh arim al hashalosh ha’eleh.
כִּי-תִשְׁמֹר אֶת-כָּל-הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת לַעֲשֹׂתָהּ, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם, לְאַהֲבָה אֶת-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְלָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו, כָּל-הַיָּמִים–וְיָסַפְתָּ לְךָ עוֹד שָׁלֹשׁ עָרִים, עַל הַשָּׁלֹשׁ הָאֵלֶּה.
19:10
Thus, innocent blood will not be spilled in the land which God your Lord is giving you as a heritage. [But if you do not do this, then] you yourselves will be guilty of murder.
Thus, innocent blood will not be spilled in the land which God your Lord is giving you as a heritage. [But if you do not do this, then] you yourselves will be guilty of murder.
Velo yishafech dam naki bekerev artsecha asher Adonay Eloheycha noten lecha nachalah vehayah aleycha damim.
וְלֹא יִשָּׁפֵךְ, דָּם נָקִי, בְּקֶרֶב אַרְצְךָ, אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה; וְהָיָה עָלֶיךָ, דָּמִים.
19:11
[This is what you must do] if a person hates his neighbor, and lays a trap for him, doing something to wound him mortally. If [the victim] then dies and [the killer] seeks refuge in one of these cities,
[This is what you must do] if a person hates his neighbor, and lays a trap for him, doing something to wound him mortally. If [the victim] then dies and [the killer] seeks refuge in one of these cities,
Vechi-yiheyeh ish sone lere’ehu ve’arav lo vekam alav vehikahu nefesh vamet venas el-achat he’arim ha’el.
וְכִי-יִהְיֶה אִישׁ, שֹׂנֵא לְרֵעֵהוּ, וְאָרַב לוֹ וְקָם עָלָיו, וְהִכָּהוּ נֶפֶשׁ וָמֵת; וְנָס, אֶל-אַחַת הֶעָרִים הָאֵל.
19:12
the elders of his city shall send messengers and take him from there. They shall then place [the murderer] in the hand of the blood avenger, and he shall die.
the elders of his city shall send messengers and take him from there. They shall then place [the murderer] in the hand of the blood avenger, and he shall die.
Veshalechu zikney iro velakechu oto misham venatnu oto beyad go’el hadam vamet.
וְשָׁלְחוּ זִקְנֵי עִירוֹ, וְלָקְחוּ אֹתוֹ מִשָּׁם; וְנָתְנוּ אֹתוֹ, בְּיַד גֹּאֵל הַדָּם–וָמֵת.
19:13
Do not have pity on the [killer]. If you rid Israel of [those who have shed] innocent blood, things will go well for you.
Do not have pity on the [killer]. If you rid Israel of [those who have shed] innocent blood, things will go well for you.
Lo-tachos eynecha alav uvi’arta dam-hanaki miYisra’el vetov lach.
לֹא-תָחוֹס עֵינְךָ, עָלָיו; וּבִעַרְתָּ דַם-הַנָּקִי מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, וְטוֹב לָךְ.