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muman613:
http://www.torah.org/learning/yehoshua-reflections/ch6no7.html
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(6:18) - Additional Thoughts on Collective Responsibility

"But you should guard the ban lest you destroy yourselves by violating it through which you will condemn the Jewish camp and ruin it."

Radak comments on the repetitive nature of this verse and explains that it includes a stern warning regarding collective responsibility. Every Jewish person was obligated to secure that no one violate the ban. They were forewarned that even the slightest violation by one person would yield devastating results. Why was this collective responsibility treated so severely? Should masses of righteous people suffer because of the frivolity of a few misdirected sinners?

It seems that the Jewish people were taught here an important lesson about Eretz Yisroel. Moshe Rabbeinu warned the people time and time again against the influence of idolatry. The Torah states: "If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land all who will remain will be pegs in your eyes and thorns in your sides" (Bamidbar 33:55).

The task of ridding Eretz Yisroel of idolatry was all-encompassing. Idolatry's influence was so poisonous and contagious that any trace of it threatened the spiritual fiber of the entire Jewish nation.

This lesson was clearly expressed through the spoils of Yericho. We have learned earlier that the total destruction of Yericho served as a tribute to Hashem. Yericho was treated as an idolatrous city and, bar a few items preserved for the Sanctuary, the city and all therein was totally devastated. A strict ban was placed upon the remaining spoils because of their association with idolatrous people. Any involvement in or benefit from the city would, in some way, validate its existence and bring back memories of its inhabitants.

The Jewish people were therefore sternly warned against any violation of this ban. Even if one person partook of the spoils, this would associate him and ultimately his surroundings with idolatry. So severe was this threat to the nation's spiritual existence that Hashem held everyone responsible for this with their lives. And indeed when one person did violate the ban the entire Jewish camp was endangered and suffered serious losses. This severe response undoubtedly drove this message home and reminded the people of the dangers of even slight influences of idolatry.

From this point onward the Jewish people would be motivated to do their utmost to preserve their spirituality thereby securing their physical existence in the land of Hashem.

With so many winds blowing across the land it is so important to maintain this perspective. Eretz Yisroel is a land of spirituality and does not tolerate foreign influences. We must do our utmost to rid the land of such influence and realize that potential threat to our spirituality is, by definition, a serious threat to our physical existence in the land, as well.

Ephraim Ben Noach:
Okay so Sunday, J Witnesses showed up at my house for the second time, I told them that I follow Judaism and I would not talk about Yeshua. They were very nice people, and we had a nice long talk, but during our conversation they called me Jewish a couple times. I did not feel like trying to explain to them what a Noachide was, so I did not say anything. Is that a sin?

muman613:
The Lubavitcher Rebbe discusses conversion and Moshiach:

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