Biblical Parallels Index – Devarim 19
Overview
This index is meant to help the reader explore Biblical parallels, be they two accounts of the same event or law, stories with similar motifs and themes, or units of text which are linguistically similar and perhaps alluding one to the other. The page includes links to tools that aid in comparison, primary sources that touch upon the parallels, and summaries of and links to articles which analyze them in depth.Cities of Refuge
A number of passages in Tanakh discuss cities of refuge, with the most extensive halakhic discussions taking place in Bemidbar 35 and Devarim 19.
Tools
- Use Makbilot BaMikra to find links to the various verses which speak of cities of refuge.
- Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the discussions in Bemidbar 35 and Devarim 19.
Articles
- See The Inadvertent Murderer and the Cities of Refuge, by Prof. Yonatan Grossman, for analysis of the differences between the passages and how these convey distinct but complementary purposes of the cities of refuge. He suggests in Sefer Devarim, the main function of the cities appears to be the providing of refuge for the murderer from the blood avenger. In Sefer Bemidbar, in contrast, they are presented as places of exile.
- See also Arei Miklat – Cities of Refuge or Exile? which complements the above article, providing an overview and analysis of various commentator's understandings of the function of the "ערי מקלט", with some emphasizing their role as places of protection and others focusing on their role as vehicles for punishment.
Love of God
The theme of loving Hashem appears repeatedly throughout Sefer Devarim.
Tools
- Makbilot Bamikra points out that Devarim 6:5 is one of seven times in Sefer Devarim that the commandment of loving Hashem is referenced.
Articles
- See Making Love Last, by R. Dr. Jonathan Sacks, for analysis of why love between Hashem and man is discussed so many times in Sefer Devarim and how this relates to the legal content of the book. He notes that love is built upon and thrives through commitment, a series of behaviors which entail doing and sacrificing for the other. The vast legal framework and rituals discussed in Sefer Devarim guide one in how to stay committed, teaching which behaviors are necessary to sustain our love for Hashem.
- See also Ahavat Hashem for analysis of commentator's different understandings of what the command to love God comprises. Some suggest that we are commanded to feel an emotion, similar to the love felt between spouses. Others maintain that the directive refers to a cognitive process of coming to know God, while yet others highlight that fulfillment of the command entails a series of actions, i.e. observance of Torah law.