Shalom, Chaverym;

This week’s parasha is Shoph’tym – שפטים – “Judges”
Torah readings: D’varym (Deuteronomy) 16:18-21:9
Prophets’ readings: Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 51:12-52:12
Ketuvym Hatalmidym reading: Mattithyahu (Matthew) 5:38-48

Shalom aleykhem, achym, b’shem YHWH Avinu, Malkeynu ~ Peace to you, my brothers, in the name of YHWH our Father, our King.

Tamiym tihyeh im YHWH Eloheyka ~ “Perfect you shall be with YHWH Eloheyka.”

The word tamiym in our pesuk is often translated in various ways according to the whims of translators. However, its meaning is truly quite singular – it means perfect, as in completed and whole.

The command to be perfect was given by YHWH in context with the conditions for receiving either the blessings or the curses which were delivered from mounts Gerizym and Eyval. The meaning of this command is that, in order to obtain YHWH’s blessing, one must be undiluted in their religion and their devotion to YHWH and to His Torah. One must be, in fact, a completed human-being. No mixing of religions can be tolerated, and no half-hearted devotion can be enough. The true children of YHWH must be completely His, and His alone.

It is commonly thought by many believers that YHWH’s standards and requirements have loosened and eased since the coming of Messiah for those who will be his at his return. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the opposite is true – they have not been loosened, erased, or otherwise diminished in any way. They have been elevated.

As was pointed out in the previous sedra, Yehoshua also promised blessings and curses from atop a mountain, but the blessings He promised would come only by adhering to a standard of righteousness even higher than that of basic physical Torah obedience. This elevated standard is Torah observance in both its physical and spiritual forms – it is completed, or tamiym form. And that is the standard required of the small and exclusive group called the Qedoshym, who are the bride of Messiah – those who will be His at His coming.

Immediately after commanding that the children of YHWH be perfectwith Him, Moshe prophesied, in YHWH’s name:
“I will raise up a prophet from among them, like you; and I will give my words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.”

This prophecy foretold Yehoshua’s coming, and he did all that the Torah and the Prophets said he would do. The words of YHWH were in his mouth, and he only spoke that which YHWH commanded he should. Furthermore, he confirmed that he was indeed the expected prophet and reaffirmed the validity of the commandments when he reiterated YHWH’s command to be perfect at the end of his teaching on the mount. He said,

“Be ye perfect, even as your Father in the heavens is perfect.”

If you belong to Him, and will go with Messiah at his return, this is your calling, brethren. Love Him with all of your heart and walk in all of His ways. Do it with all of your mind and strength. Nothing less will do, for those who will reign with Messiah, judging angels and men. Keep your eyes on him and, with the power of the Spirit, become complete – perfect. May you all hear Him when He calls.

B’Shalom, Ovadyah Ben Yisrael