Aliya Summary: Moshe instructs the Israelites to coronate a king
after they enter Israel. A Jewish king may not amass an excessive amount
of horses, wives, or personal wealth. The king writes for himself two
Torah scrolls. One of them remains with him at all times -- a constant
reminder to remain humble and follow G‑d's Law.
The
reason given for the people wanting a king is in order to be like all
the other nations around us (17:14), which doesn't seem like a very good
or noble reason for wanting a king. And yet G-d tells us that it's
alright, so long as we choose and act appropriately. Like wearing
Tzitzit under our shirts, and many other Mitzvot, there are ways to be
"normal" and yet be different, ways to be better without teasing others
about it. So the Torah allows us to have a king, to have other "normal"
things (armies, clothes), but have it with higher standards than
anyone else.
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