Shalom, Mitspacha!
Justice – separation from defilement
“And you shall guard My Laws and My Right-Rulings, which a man does and lives by them. I am YHVH.”
- Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 18:5
“Do not defile yourselves with all these, for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am driving out before you.”
- Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 18:24
“Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says YHVH, and do not touch what is unclean, and I shall receive you.’”
- Qorin’tiyim 2 (2 Corinthians) 6:17
“Having, then, these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting qodeshah in the reverence of Elohim.”
- Qorin’tiyim 2 (2 Corinthians) 7:1
YHVH calls His people to live according to His instructions and remain separate from practices that defile. Separation is not merely an outward distinction or appearance. It begins with recognising His standards as righteous and rejecting what He declares contrary to them. Justice preserves the distinctions established by YHVH rather than allowing customs, popular opinions or personal desires to redefine what is acceptable.
Defilement can enter through deliberate choices, accepted habits and influences that weaken obedience. What is repeatedly tolerated can eventually become normalised. We must therefore examine our actions, our influences, our homes, our conversations, our relationships and our thinking. We must discern what draws us away from obedience and refuse to make room for it.
Separation does not mean treating others with contempt or withdrawing from everyone who thinks differently. We are still called to act with justice, compassion and honesty. Kindness, however, is not an excuse to participate in wrongdoing, and acceptance must never require us to compromise what is right. We can treat others with dignity while maintaining clear boundaries concerning our own conduct.
Personal responsibility is essential. We cannot continually blame our surroundings, upbringing or other people for conduct we knowingly choose. When we recognise that something is contrary to YHVH's instructions, we must acknowledge it and turn away from it. Genuine separation is demonstrated through repentance, correction and consistent obedience, not through an attitude of spiritual superiority.
We must also guard against replacing obedience with human traditions or outward righteousness. Our private attitudes and practices must agree with the appearance we present publicly. The purpose of separation is to honour YHVH. Our conduct, decisions and treatment of others must reflect His justice and righteousness.
As we prepare for Shabbat, we should examine what we have allowed into our lives during the week. We must put away what defiles, correct what has been careless and strengthen boundaries where they have weakened. Separation is not a single decision made in the past, but an ongoing commitment to choose the ways of YHVH over influences that lead us away from Him.
Have I allowed any habit, influence or practice into my life that conflicts with the instructions of YHVH?
Do I maintain clear boundaries without treating others with contempt or compromising what is right?
Where do I need to acknowledge wrongdoing, make corrections and remove something that has weakened my obedience?
Does my private conduct reflect the righteousness I claim to uphold publicly?
YHVH, teach us to recognise the distinctions You have established and to respect Your instructions. Give us discernment to identify what defiles and the strength to reject influences that draw us away from obedience. Guard us against customs, pressures and desires that weaken our commitment to Your ways.
Search our hearts and reveal every habit, attitude or influence that we have allowed to remain despite knowing that it is contrary to Your instructions. Awaken our conscience and give us the humility to acknowledge wrongdoing and make the necessary corrections. Cleanse our thoughts, intentions and conduct.
Teach us to maintain righteous boundaries without pride, harshness or injustice. Help us to show compassion without participating in wrongdoing, to uphold truth without cruelty and to remain faithful without considering ourselves superior to others.
Guard our homes, families and gatherings against deception, impurity, disobedience and division. Help us to recognise harmful practices before they become established. Give us wisdom and patience to encourage and correct one another responsibly.
As we prepare for Shabbat, set our hearts firmly upon Your instructions. Help us to enter this appointed time with clean hands, sincere hearts and peaceful relationships. May our rest be accompanied by gratitude, reverence and a renewed commitment to walk in Your ways.
Baruch YHVH. Emet.
YHVH bless thee, and keep thee:
YHVH make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
YHVH lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24–26
Shalom until tomorrow.