Now You Know!

When a person sins, Hashem wishes for them to repent, and gives them time to do so. When a capital case is judged by Bais Din, a Rabbinical Court, even if the verdict is ultimately death, the initial perspective is to seek an acquittal.

The judges are directed to find whatever merits they can for the person, and if they do believe he is guilty, they need to sleep on the decision before they pronounce him so.

Even after a guilty verdict, if any loophole can be found for him, it is attempted and we will reopen the case. But there is an exception.

As it says this week, one who seeks to convince others to worship a god other than Hashem, is condemned soundly. We do not argue on his behalf or go out of our way to protect him.

What he has done is more nefarious than murder. A murderer only removes someone from this world, while a maisis removes them from the next world; from the eternal existence.

Often people think they cannot keep the Torah because they have to live their lives; by working on Shabbos, or eating and enjoying prohibited foods; etc. They are missing the boat. The eternal Torah should not be abandoned for a temporary existence, and this parsha reinforces that for us.