Thinking Torah Blog

When you [an Israelite warrior] take the field against your enemies, and the Eternal your God delivers them into your power and you take some of them captive, and you see among the captives a beautiful woman and you desire her and would take her to wife.... - Deuteronomy 21:10-11 

Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19 

SUMMARY 

-Moses reviews a wide variety of laws regarding family, animals, and property. (21:10–22:12) 

-Various civil and criminal laws are delineated, including those regarding sexual relationships, interaction with non-Israelites, loans, vows, and divorce. (22:13–24:5) 

-Laws of commerce pertaining to loans, fair wages, and proper weights and measures are given. (24:10–25:16) 

-The parashah concludes with the commandment to remember for all time the most heinous act committed against the Israelites—Amalek’s killing of the old, weak, and infirm after the Israelites left Egypt. (25:17–19)