{"id":23269,"date":"2025-08-29T19:17:29","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T18:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/?p=23269"},"modified":"2025-08-30T18:30:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T17:30:51","slug":"reflections-on-parshat-shoftim-5785-whats-the-deal-with-horses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/ko\/reflections-on-parshat-shoftim-5785-whats-the-deal-with-horses\/","title":{"rendered":"REFLECTIONS ON: PARSHAT SHOFTIM 5785 – WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH HORSES?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u05d1\u05e1”\u05d3<\/strong>I<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integrating Torah into one’s life through reflection and conversation can be an incredibly fun and engaging experience. It’s a journey of discovery, where ancient wisdom and timeless teachings come to life in our daily experiences. Through reflection, we have the opportunity to dive deep into the rich tapestry of Torah, extracting profound insights and lessons that resonate with our modern lives. The joy lies in the ‘aha’ moments, those instances when a Torah verse or story suddenly connects with our personal challenges, aspirations, and values. And when we engage in conversations about Torah with others, it becomes an interactive exploration, where diverse perspectives and interpretations enhance our understanding. These dialogues often spark excitement and intellectual curiosity, making the learning process both enjoyable and fulfilling. Torah becomes a vibrant and dynamic part of our lives, offering not just guidance but also a source of endless fascination, connection, and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: Don\u2019t feel obligated to go through every source or answer all the questions\u2014unless you want to. Even one source, or one question will give you plenty of material for discussion and meditation. Enjoy this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PARSHAS SHOFTIM: WHAT\u2019S THE DEAL WITH HORSES?<\/strong>

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you come into the land that the L-rd your G-d is giving you\u2026 you shall surely set over yourself a king whom the L-rd your G-d shall choose\u2026 Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt in order to multiply horses, for the L-rd has said to you: \u2018You shall never return that way again.\u2019\u201d
(Deuteronomy 17:14\u201316)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week\u2019s Torah portion introduces the mitzvah of appointing a king. Strikingly, the Torah places strict limits on royal power. A king may not hoard wealth, take too many wives, or\u2014most curiously\u2014amass too many horses. Why the special concern about horses?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horses and Egypt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rashi explains that the king may keep only as many horses as are required for his chariots and military service. Anything beyond that is excess. The Sages note that Egypt was famous for breeding the best horses, and kings would naturally turn there to supply their armies. But this would mean reopening trade and dependence with the very land from which Israel had been redeemed. The Torah warns: \u201cyou shall never return that way again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Egypt represents more than a geographical place\u2014it is the symbol of slavery, pride, and misplaced dependence on human power. Amassing horses from Egypt risked both a practical return and a spiritual regression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power Without Pride<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other commentators focus on the effect of horses on the king himself. Horses are magnificent, swift, awe-inspiring creatures, and they lend grandeur to their rider. Too many horses, however, can inflate a ruler\u2019s ego. The king of Israel was not meant to project absolute power, but to embody accountability to G-d. Even his glory had to be bounded by humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

King David captured this perfectly: \u201cSome trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we call upon the name of the Lord our G-d\u201d (Psalm 20:8). Strength and technology are not the source of salvation. They are tools\u2014but ultimate power belongs only to G-d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does This Mean for Us?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This lesson extends far beyond ancient monarchs. Every age has its \u201chorses\u201d\u2014symbols of speed, strength, and prestige. Today they may be cars, machines, or technology. These things can be blessings when used wisely, but curses when they become sources of pride, addiction, or false security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Noahides, the message is clear: true greatness does not come from amassing possessions or appearances of power. It comes from humility, responsibility, and remembering that all authority and ability are entrusted to us by G-d. To rely on the gift while forgetting the Giver is to return to \u201cEgypt\u201d\u2014a mindset of slavery to things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Word of Caution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here too we must recall Rambam\u2019s warning against mechadesh dat<\/em>\u2014creating new commandments. Noahides are not bound by the specific mitzvah of limiting horses, nor by the institution of kingship in Israel. What you are bound to is the universal principle behind it: resisting pride, idolatry, and misplaced trust in power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, reflect on the following questions:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. What are the \u201chorses\u201d in my life\u2014the things I rely on for strength, status, or control?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Do I see my tools and possessions as means to serve G-d, or as ends in themselves?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. In what ways might I be tempted to \u201creturn to Egypt,\u201d leaning on unhealthy dependencies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. How do I balance dignity and responsibility with humility before G-d?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Do I place my ultimate trust in technology, wealth, or status\u2014or in the One who grants them all?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Shabbat Shalom!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    PDF<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By Rabbi Tani Burton<\/strong>

    If you want more questions for contemplation, <\/strong>    SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI TANI BURTON ABOUT DE PARSHAT QUESTIONS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00a9 Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our blogs may contain text\/quotes\/references\/links that include copyright material of Mechon-Mamre.org<\/a>, Aish.com<\/a>, Sefaria.org<\/a>, Chabad.org<\/a>, and\/or AskNoah.org<\/a>, which we use in accordance with their policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u05d1\u05e1”\u05d3I Integrating Torah into one’s life through reflection and conversation can be an incredibly fun and engaging experience. It’s a journey of discovery, where ancient wisdom and timeless teachings come to life in our daily experiences. Through reflection, we have the opportunity to dive deep into the rich tapestry of Torah, extracting profound insights and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":23270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parshot-of-the-rabbis"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nREFLECTIONS ON: PARSHAT SHOFTIM 5785 - WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH HORSES? - Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Noahides are bound to the universal principle: resisting pride, idolatry, and misplaced trust in power.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/ko\/reflections-on-parshat-shoftim-5785-whats-the-deal-with-horses\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"ko_KR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"REFLECTIONS ON: PARSHAT SHOFTIM 5785 - WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH HORSES? 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