"For Instruction shall come forth from Zion, The word of the L-rd from Jerusalem." -- Isaiah 2:3

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Are you more of an "I'll dive right in and figure it out" person, or a "Show Me How This Thing Works" person?  If the former, go right ahead and try the excerpts browers on the right side of this page and/or scroll through the excerpts that start below the following information -- although we still suggest reading the information first.  If you are the latter, click here for a video demonstrating the Excerpts Browser. Either way (or both), enjoy! 

This page is recommended for searches limited to specific Torah books, weekly portions (parshiot), chapters, verses, and/or sources (authors). For keyword and/or for exact phrase (including verse and source) searches of the entire excerpts database, we recommend using the Search Engine page.  For broadest results, use both pages and alternative search strategies. 

This page displays the full text of all or "sorted" (filtered) excerpts in the database.  Use the "Torah Verses" and/or "Excerpt Sources" browsers at the right to locate the excerpts associated with your desired Torah book, portion, chapter. verse, or author.  Or, simply scroll through the excerpts, using the "boxes" at the bottom of any page displaying excerpts to "jump" ahead or back. 

Also note that immediately below the chapter, verse, and keyword of each excerpt is a highlighted line comprised of multiple links.  Clicking on any of the links will limit (filter) the excerpts display to the selected category.  

Transcription of excerpts is incomplete.  For current status, please see "Transcribed Sources" on the Search Engine page.  To assist with completion, please see "Contributors" page. 

DEUTERONOMY — 17:11 deviate

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), Source Book Keys, TZADIK
Page(s): 261
DEUT881 It is written (Mishlei 8:32): "And now, children, listen to me, and happy are those who heed my ways." The Blessed Creator says to Israel: "I ask only that you listen to me. If you listen to me, I will fulfill what was foretold by the prophets (Yeshayahu 1:19): 'If you are willing, and listen, then you will eat the good of the land,' and (Mishlei 8:34): 'Happy is the man who listens to me.'" Therefore, one should direct his mind to do the will of the Blessed Creator and not deviate from his teachers and from those who are greater than he. And so it is written in the Torah (this verse; Devarim 17:9-12). From all this we can recognize the goodness and greatness of the trait of willingness, in which all the Torah is subsumed. Even if the Sages tell you that left is right and right, left, acquiesce and listen to them, and annul your mind and your will in order to do as they say. How much more so when they tell you that right is right and left, left.

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DEUTERONOMY — 17:11 turn

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), Source Book Keys, TEMIMAH-DEUT
Page(s): 158
DEUT885 Great is human dignity, which overrides a negative commandment in the Torah. Which is that? Rav b. R. Sheva explicated in the presence of R. Cahana: The negative commandment, "You shall not turn aside" [i.e., Where abiding by a Rabbinical injunction would undermine human dignity, the injunction is overridden] (Berachoth 19b)

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DEUTERONOMY — 17:15 king

Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), Source Book Keys, CHINUCH
Page(s): 323
DEUT892 Do not appoint a non-Jewish king over yourselves. Key concept is that people in positions of authority must speak and act in ways that cause their underlings to accept and submit their decisions. For this reason, the high officials of our nation must be of Jewish seed, for Jews are merciful, having inherited this trait from their fathers. With mercy in their blood, they will exercise their authority with mercy, never oppressing anyone and never abusing their authority. They will love truth, righteousness and virtue. As is known, the descendants of Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov possess these qualities inherently. From this main idea of the mitzvah we derive that we are forbidden to appoint over ourselves anyone who is cold, evil or cruel. If such a person is given authority--perhaps because he is a relative, or because people fear him and want to flatter him--evil will not cease from the homes of those who appointed him. One who fears no man and with all of one’s might seek the good of the community will earn unceasing reward from Hashem, in this world and in the next.

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