Shoftim Summaries
Shoftim 5769-2009"The Torah Declares War on Bribery"
Although much of western society considers bribery in judgment to be a perversion of justice, this has not always been the case. The intention of providing equal justice to all citizens is a rather recent development. In the Torah, bribery has always been looked upon as the height of venality. link to full |
Shoftim 5768-2008 A single isolated law prohibiting chopping down trees in times of war has evolved in to a fundamental body of vital precepts prohibiting the wanton waste and the callous destruction of property and nature. |
Shoftim 5767-2007 In parashat Shoftim we read about the appointment of a king for the people in the land of Israel. Is this appointment optional or required? What rules “govern” the king? What kind of government does Judaism advocate--a theocracy, a monarchy or a democracy? |
Shoftim 5766-2006"The Great Real Estate Swindle-Its Implications" A seemingly innocuous rule of not moving one's neighbor's boundary has remarkable implications concerning the Jewish concept of the integrity of property, both physical and intellectual, unfair competition, improper business practices, and the encouragement of virtually unbridled intellectual competition. Link to full |
Shoftim 5765-2005"The Extent of Rabbinic Authority" In this week's parasha we are introduced to the Torah law that affirms rabbinic authority. In the traditional observant Jewish community today the nature and extent of rabbinic authority is a matter of dispute. This dispute regarding Daat Torah (whether advice given by great Torah scholars must be followed by Jews committed to Torah observance) very much devolves about the meanings and interpretations of the verses cited in parashat Shoftim. Link to full |
Shoftim 5764-2004 The Torah’s ideas of a judicial system and the pursuit of justice has revolutionized jurisprudence throughout the world. |
Shoftim 5763-2003 In parashat Shoftim, the Torah tells us that when the Jewish people enter the land of Israel they must not follow the abominable practices of the nations that reside there. It is strictly prohibited to cause a son or a daughter to pass through fire, to practice divination, astrology or to visit one who reads omens. Patronizing a sorcerer, an animal charmer, inquiring of the Ov or Yidoni or consulting the dead is forbidden. The Jews are supposed to be wholehearted with G-d, and not to support the magic or spirituality of the ancients. The questions remains, is there any efficacy to witchcraft or to the magic of the ancients? |
Shoftim 5762-2002 The Torah’s commandment in Genesis to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden “ to work the land and to protect it,” was humanity’s first call for conservation and protecting the environment. This revolutionary message that the Torah introduced 3300 years ago, is as fresh, as vibrant and as green as if it were given today. Many additional revolutionary environmental laws may be found in parashat Shoftim. |
Shoftim 5761-2001 In parashat Shoftim we encounter the ritual of eglah arufah, the ceremony of the heifer that is put to death. We learn from the ritual of eglah arufah, that both city officials and hosts, in general, have a responsibility of escorting visitors and making certain that they can travel safely from one city to another. Those who fail to provide security, are held morally responsible. It applies for those who welcome visitors into their homes, today as well. |
Shoftim 5760-2000 The Torah looks upon the duty of a husband to bring happiness to marriage, not only for individual happiness, but also for the national well-being, as a sacred duty. For that reason, for an entire year after marrying, the husband is freed from all public services and duties, even service in the army. The exemption will hopefully result in the laying of a strong foundation for family life, as well as a fundamental means of strengthening the community. |