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Deuteronomy 27:18-19

 

דברים כז:יח-יט

Original Text:

אָרוּר מַשְׁגֶּה עִוֵּר בַּדָּרֶךְ וְאָמַר כָּל הָעָם אָמֵן: אָרוּר מַטֶּה מִשְׁפַּט גֵּר יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה וְאָמַר כָּל הָעָם אָמֵן:

Translation:

Cursed be the one who misdirects a blind person on his/her way. -- And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be the one who subverts the rights of the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. -- And all the people shall say, Amen.
[JPS translation. Edited for gender-neutrality]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. Who is speaking in this text? What is the significance of "and all the people shall say amen"?
2. What is assumed about the blind person, the stranger, the fatherless and the widow?
3. What effect does the curse have? Is it a deterrent or a punishment or both?

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    Related Texts:
    Related Sourcesheets:Texts on Social Change v. Social Action, Jewish Ethics on Advocacy, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Jewish Source, Rabbis for Human Rights (http://tiny.cc/mCJW4), Welcoming the Stranger, Anti-Bullying/ Human Empowerment Text Sheet

    Submitted By

    Sarah Margles

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