“Shoftim” is the title of this week’s parsha. It is the Hebrew word for “Judges”. It tells of the rules for man acting as a fair judge of laws in the world. It contains a famous phrase:
“Justice, Justice you shall pursue”
“Justice” implies an absolute. It is a concept, a code of right and wrong. It, when said as a simple word, implies an ideal state of the world.
It is paired with the second phrase “Justice you shall pursue”. A pursuit is something that is in process. If you are not “there” (the absolute) then you are trying to “get there” which is a pursuit.
An absolute ideal paired with the reality of pursuit is a formula for tension. And Judaism is a religion that is built on that tension. We must be a part of the world, but in ways separate ourselves from it. Consider:
- Rituals and ancient halacha, but it must be paired with action and interaction with the world
- Eternal partnership with Hashem, enacted and worked in the temporal reality in which we live
- A Jewish state that must live by a higher moral code, but must deal with the messy reality of running a state that can survive
- Judaism in a way that is mandatory (Israel) and a way that is voluntary (Diaspora)
We often lament tension and the inherent difficulties that it brings. This week we are reminded that this tension is not a burden, but a part of the covenant that we should relish. We must look at this tension as an opportunity to create the improvement we desire in the world (tikun olam).
The ideal is our anchor to the past we have come from, and of the future we dream about. The pursuit is our drive to make the steps needed to bridge the two. We need this tension, to be Jewish, work to better the world, and find redemption. This week we are reminded of this balance and tension so…. justice, justice we shall pursue.
Shabbat Shalom.
| Parsha Summary
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| General Overview: This week's reading, Shoftim, addresses fundamental issues pertaining to the leadership of the Jewish people. It begins with a discussion regarding judges, and later discusses the concept of the kings, prophets, and the kohanim (priests). Many commandments are introduced in this weeks reading, including: appointing judges, the obligation to follow Rabbinic Law and the words of the prophets, the obligations of a king, the punishment for perjury, laws of war, and the procedure for dealing with unsolved murders. First Aliyah: We are commanded to appoint judges in every city of Israel. These judges are instructed to adjudicate fairly. Capital punishment is prescribed for idolatry, and various idolatrous practices are banned. The sacrifices we offer to G‑d must be blemishless. We must follow the rulings of the Sanhedrin, the Rabbinic Supreme Court, and the Oral Law. Refusal to accept the Sanhedrin's authority is a capital offense. Second Aliyah: Moses 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. Third Aliyah: The Kohanim were chosen by G‑d to be His holy servants. They do not receive an inheritance (portion) in the Land of Israel, because "G‑d is their inheritance." Instead, theKohanim are the beneficiaries of various priestly gifts; selections of meat from certain sacrifices, as well as tithes from crops and animal shearings. Fourth Aliyah: Although the Priestly families were divided into many shifts, each serving in the Temple in their designated turn, a Kohen always retains the right to come to the Temple and personally offer his personal sacrifices. This section then contains prohibitions against divination, fortunetelling and similar occult practices. Instead of probing into the future we are commanded to put our faith and trust in G‑d. Fifth Aliyah: We also have no need for these abovementioned abominable practices because we are blessed with prophets who transmit G‑d's messages to His people. We are commanded to obey these prophets. This section prescribes the punishments for non-compliance with prophets' words, as well as for an individual who falsely claims to speak in G‑d's name. This aliyah then reiterates the command to establish cities of refuge for the inadvertent murderer. Moses commands the Jews to designate six such cities, and when G‑d expands the borders of the land (with the coming of Moshiach) to add another three cities of refuge. Sixth Aliyah: A minimum of two witnesses are required to secure a conviction in a capital or corporal punishment case. Individuals who testify falsely are liable to receive the punishment which they sought to have imposed upon their innocent victim. The procedure for battle is outlined in this section. When approaching the battlefield, a Kohen addresses the troops, admonishing them not to fear the enemy, and listing the various individuals who are exempt from military duty, such as one who has recently betrothed a woman or built a new home, or a fainthearted and fearful person. Seventh Aliyah: Before waging battle against an enemy in battle, we are commanded to make a peaceful overture. Only if the enemy does not accept the offer does battle ensue. In the battles against the Canaanite nations, if the enemy does not agree to the peace offer, the Israelites are commanded to completely annihilate them. We are forbidden to cut down fruit-bearing trees while laying siege on a city. The reading closes with the procedure to be followed in the event of an unsolved murder. |
Parsha Summary
General Overview: Moses continues his pep talk to the Israelites, cautioning them not to fear the Canaanite armies for G‑d will wage battle for them. He also notifies them that their entry into the Land is not due to their own virtues – Moses reminds them of their many transgressions to emphasize this point – but rather, it is in the merit of the nation's Forefathers. The commandments of prayer and Grace After Meals are mentioned. The second part of the Shema is also found in this portion.
First Aliyah: This section begins with a promise: if the Israelites observe G‑d's commandments, they will be blessed in a multitude of ways, including the obliteration of their Canaanite enemies. Moses enjoins the Israelites not to fear these enemies, for G‑d will miraculously deliver them into their hands. Moses instructs the Israelites to destroy all the idols and their accoutrements which they will find in Canaan. Moses then discusses their forty-year desert ordeal, and the many tests and miracles which accompanied them. Moses provides a description of many of the wonderful features of the Land of Israel, and the Israelites are commanded to bless G‑d after they eat and are sated.
Second Aliyah: Moses admonishes the Israelites that the new-found fortune which will be their lot once they enter the Promised Land should not lead them to forget the One who provided them with the wealth. Such a blunder would lead to their destruction and ruin.
Third Aliyah: Moses tells the Israelites that they will inherit the Land of Israel not due to their own merits and righteousness, but because of the promise G‑d made to the Patriarchs. In fact, Moses reminds them of the many times they angered G‑d while in the desert, placing special emphasis on the sin of the Golden Calf, when G‑d would have annihilated the Israelites if not for Moses' successful intercession on their behalf. He also makes brief reference to the other times when the Israelites rebelled against G‑d.
Fourth Aliyah: Moses recounts how after the Golden Calf debacle, G‑d commanded him to carve two new tablets upon which G‑d engraved the Ten Commandments, to replace the first set of tablets which Moses had shattered. At that time, G‑d also designated the Levites to be His holy servants, because of the devotion they demonstrated throughout the Golden Calf incident.
Fifth Aliyah: Moses charges the Israelites to love and fear G‑d, and to serve Him. He expounds on G‑d's greatness, and impresses on the Israelites their great fortune: that G‑d has chosen them to be His treasured nation. He again reminds them of the many miracles G‑d had performed on their behalf since they left Egypt.
Sixth Aliyah: Moses tells the Israelites that the land of Israel is constantly dependent upon G‑d for irrigating rains, and that the land is constantly under G‑d's watchful eyes. We then read the second paragraph of the Shema prayer. In this section we are admonished to observe G‑d's commandments, which will cause G‑d to supply bountiful rainfall and harvests. Non-observance will lead to exile. We are commanded regarding prayer, tefillin, mezuzah, and teaching Torah to our children.
Seventh Aliyah: Moses informs the Israelites that if they follow G‑d's ways and cleave to Him, they will easily occupy the land of Israel, and no man will stand up against them.
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