The Move to Monotheism

Today we're going to look at Chapter 12 of Deuteronomy, verses 1-28

We're going to divide it into four subsections and see if we can find the themes in each. We will be looking for key words and phrases that highlight the major themes.

As you're reading or listening to these sections, be able to express how our worship of G-d is radically different from that of the local idol worshippers and how our worship is interwoven with the theme of Jewish peoplehood.


12: 1-7
This section shows that we are moving towards monotheism.
We are destroying paganism. Where did the pagans worship their gods?

There is to be no imitation of the others in our midst.

We are to worship G-d in the place that He will choose.(5) What kinds of offerings will be given?

We will feast. (v.7)
There will be burnt offerings.


12:8-19
This section shows how we are to develop a monotheistic approach.
We are not to do just what we want to do. (v. 8)
We are to bring our sacrifices to the site where G-d will choose to establish His name. (v.11)(v. 14)

What kinds of offerings will be given when we cross the Jordan?
There will be centralized worship...it will no longer be about individualism (v. 12)- we will rejoice with slaves/Levites who have no territory.
Meat can be eaten in any settlement but not the blood. (v. 16) It is to be poured on the ground.

12:20-25
The territory will be enlarged.
This section also talks about the place that G-d has chosen to establish His name (v. 21)
but it says that if it is too far away, the people may eat meat in their settlements.
Blood is forbidden (v. 23)and is to be poured on the ground.



12:26-28
This section also talks about bringing sacred and votive (freewill) donations to the site that G-d will choose. (v.26)

The flesh and blood are to be offered on the altar. The blood will be poured out on the altar (v. 27) the flesh can be eaten. (v.27)

Worship is to be in a central place.

In this entire section, where do you see the phrase, "Do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your G-d? (v. 8 v. 28)

Did you notice that no location is given for the place that G-d will choose?

Yet the idea of having one place is a statement that opposes idolatry. In paganism, gods were worshipped on every high point. When the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary) did not exist, bamot/ personal altars on high places were permitted. Once the mishkan was built, the bamot were prohibitted and the cohanim performed the services. Later on when the mishkan became dysfunctional, the bamot reappeared, until they were permanently forbidden when the Bet HaMikdash (the Temple) was constructed in Jerusalem. Once the Temple was created the ideal of having a communal religion trumped all else.

Although it may appear that the only thing that will happen in this centralized location is worship, its function goes far beyond that. Look at the list printed below (provided by Tanach.org:

Perek:Pasuk	Topic
12:5,11,14,18,21,26	The place to bring all "korbanot" (sacrifices)
14:23,24,25	The place to eat "maaser sheni" (10% of one's harvest to be shared and eaten with others)
15:20	The place to eat "bchor b'heyma" (first born of one's animals and 10% of one's animals to be shared and eaten with others)
16:2,6,7,11,15,16	The site for "aliya l'regel" on the holidays (3 pilgrimmage festivals)
17:8,10	The seat of the Supreme Court (chief legal judiciary is to be located there)
18:6	The service of the Leviim
26:2	The place to bring one's 'first fruits'

A National Center
A quick glance at this table immediately demonstrates that this location emerges not only as a site to offer 'korbanot,' but as a National Religious Center, as well. These mitzvot in Sefer Dvarim help 'create' this Center, as they require one to frequent this site on numerous occasions during the course of the year.

First and foremost, every individual must make a pilgrimage to the site on the three agricultural holidays ("aliyah l'regel" - chapter 16). Moreover, he must visit this site each time he brings a voluntary offering ("korban n'dava") or is obligated to bring an atonement offering ("korban chovah").

Additionally, the farmer must bring to this spot not only his first fruits ("bikurim"), but also 10% of his harvest to be eaten and shared with others ("maaser sheni"). Likewise, the shepherd must bring not only the first born animals ("bchor"), but also 10% of his entire flock ("maaser b'heima"). Furthermore, the Supreme Court, the chief legal and halachic judiciary, is located at this site.

Thus, this location - ha'makom asher yivchar Hashem - is much more than the place for the offering of "korbanot." It is to evolve as the National Center of the Jewish people.

Having a national center for the tribes who were getting ready to inhabit the land was very important. It coalesced the 12 tribes into one religious people...rather than as separate tribes.

Is this national center even hinted at? Take a look at 12:5. "Look only to the site that the Lord your G-d will choose amidst your tribes as His habitation, to establish His name there. There you are to go...."

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag of Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem, describes this sentence in the following way:

"God will show us the site only if and when we look for it. This 'hide and seek' type relationship is reflective of every Divine encounter. God is found only by those who search for him. Just as this principle applies on the individual level ["karov Hashem l'chol kor'av" - God is close to all those who call to Him], it applies on the national level, as well. Only when Am Yisrael, as a nation, begins a serious search for God will God show them the appropriate means for His symbolic residence among them. "

As you know, this story does not end in the Book of Deuteronomy. It continues with the establishment of the Temple in the Book of Kings. And in many ways it continues today in the modern state of Israel as Jews from all over the world strive to establish Jerusalem as a centralized place where Jews can come to learn Torah and worship G-d offering the world a universal message of monotheism.