DEUT925 Do not seek contact with the dead. See [[EXOD634]] Exodus 22:17 sorceress CHINUCH 41

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DEUT926 Amongst you there shall not be found... a charmer. No Jew is allowed to say charms. That is, do not utter certain sounds or words and tell people that the utterances have the power to help or damage something or someone. For example, a charmer will utter something over a snake or scorpion and claim that now the creature will not bite. Or someone will be suffering from a painful wound and a charmer will utter something over it in order to remove the pain. Some explain that a charmer is someone who uses utterances to gather snakes or other creatures to one place. We find that the Sages permit us to recite verses in order to protect ourselves from damaging forces (mazikim), for such does not fall under the prohibition of uttering charms. Reciting verses inspires us to seek shelter with Hashem and place all of our trust in Him. It helps us to fill our hearts with fear and awe of Him, and place our reliance on His goodness. When these feelings fill our hearts, He surely will protect us from harm. Saying words of Torah to awaken our souls to the truth is not forbidden. Although we hope that in the merit of this act we will gain Heaven's protection, the Torah allows such utterances, for the act, in fact, gives us such merit, so it is not regarded as uttering charms.

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DEUT957 Do not judge on the basis of testimony from only one witness. Each of us has an element of baseness in him-- the yetzer hara (evil inclination). Sometimes, this baseness stirs up hatred in our heart for a fellow Jew. It can happen even to someone who is known for his righteousness. Suddenly, his whole state of mind changes, and he wants to harm a fellow Jew. For this reason, it is not fitting to accept the testimony if it comes from only one witness. We are forbidden to use such testimony to punish anyone, physically or otherwise, even if the witness is a noted Torah scholar and the accused is a lowlife with a criminal record. Only testimony of two witnesses can be accepted, for it is very unlikely that two Jews would conspire together and lie in court to harm someone.

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DEUT969 Do not take pity on someone who murders or maims his fellow Jew. If violence against one's fellow man goes unpunished, and we fail to rid ourselves of destructive, evil and aggressive people, we will live in fear and society will be unable to function. As is taught (Avos 3:2), “A man will swallow his neighbor alive.” Unless the fools know that they will be punished for their crimes, they will wreak havoc and make a normal life impossible.

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DEUT974 Anoint a Kohen to instruct and encourage Jewish soldiers. Key concept: It is known that in wartime, soldiers need a large dose of encouragement and strengthening. It also is known that people are more apt to heed words said by someone who is important, honored and respected. Therefore, the Torah commands that before battle, the soldiers be encouraged and strengthened by words from a member of our nation's most honored family—the Kohanim. As to why the Torah exempt from the army he who planted a vineyard but has not yet redeemed its fruits, or is betrothed to marry but the wedding still is pending etc. the reason is that thoughts of these matters preoccupy one's mind. Men in these situations cannot fully concentrate on the battle. As a result, they are poor fighters and will weaken the hearts of their fellows. Similarly, if someone is fearful because he has committed a sin, it is best to send him away before the fighting starts, because if he stays, his fellows, too, may suffer punishment for his sin.

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DEUT975 Do not fear warfare, or panic at the sight of your enemy.... our Sages warn us that during battle, one may not think of his wife, his children or his land or property. One must clear one’s mind and think only of how to succeed in a battle. Also, each soldier must remind himself that the blood and welfare of every member of the Jewish nation is dependent upon him and if he flees and shirks his duty, it is as if he murdered them. Key concept: Each Jew must place all of his trust in Hashem, and in war time, when each Jewish fighter has the opportunity to sanctify Hashem's Name and bring glory to His people, he should not fear for his personal safety. Our Sages promised that if a Jewish soldier fights with all of his heart and might with intent to sanctify Hashem's Name, no harm will befall him. He and his children will build upstanding households in Israel and he will merit life in the World to Come.

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DEUT988 Offer peace to cities upon which you are about to lay siege. Mercy is a very commendable character trait, and it is fitting for our nation to exercise it even towards our enemies. Even those who worship idols should be allowed to live, as long as they abandon their deities. A further benefit of the mitzvah is that after these people surrender, they become our servants and pay taxes to our king. If we were to kill these people, even when they are willing to pay taxes and be our servants, not only would it be a senseless waste, it would be patently cruel.

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DEUT1000 See [[DEUT327]] Deuteronomy 7:2 nations CHINUCH 279-80

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DEUT1008 Do not destroy fruit-bearing trees. Key concept: Teach us to love the good and useful and cling to it. Thereby, blessing and good will cling to us. We must distance ourselves from all forms of evil and destruction, for these are practices of the wicked, who rejoice in destroying the world and causing harm. A true chasid tries to never waste or destroy anything, even a small grain of mustard. A chasid is greatly pained when he sees any senseless destruction, and will go to great lengths to prevent it.

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DEUT1024 Observe the law of breaking the heifer’s neck. Key concept: Create dismay over the murder. When the residents of the nearest city see their elders and the judges of their highest courts involved with this large animal, taking it to a valley and killing it violently, they will be jolted. They will not stay silent if they know something that might lead to the murderer’s capture. Hearing the cries of the heifer as its neck is being broken, they will be awakened to the depth of the tragedy and will divulge any piece of information that they have. Hopefully, the procedure will lead to the capture of the killer, and thereby, the world will be cleansed of another wicked person. A further benefit of the mitzvah is that it widely publicizes that the elders, judges and other people with wisdom greatly desire to apprehend the killer and bring him to justice.

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