B"H

Tuesday, Menachem Av 28, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / August 15, 2023

This week’s Parsha is the fifth Parsha in the book of Deuteronomy, Parshat Shoftim (Judges)

The Parsha begins with the commandment of appointing judges throughout the land of Israel. "Judges and officers, you shall appoint to you in all your gates, which the L-rd your G-d gives you to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.  You shall not wrest judgment; you shall not respect persons; nor shall you take any bribes, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.  Justice, justice shall you pursue so that you may live and inherit the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you."

The Torah commands that upon settling in Israel, a judicial system should be established to judge according to Torah law and to resolve disputes amongst the people.  At the same time, the Torah emphasizes the importance of designating officers to carry out that judgment, when necessary. 

The availability of proper judgment is so important, according to the Torah, that Moshe orders to appoint judges "in all your gates" -- in every city-- so that people can easily and quickly settle their disputes. 

The Torah commands the judges to be equally fair with all parties.  Everyone should be treated equally, whether rich or poor, simple, or learned.

Q.  The Torah is everlasting and applies to us at all times and all places. How does the commandment to appoint judges and to judge honestly apply to every Jew, even those who are not judges?

A.  Our sages explain that this mitzvah applies not only to judges but to every individual, for in reality everyone has to take on the role of a judge upon themselves and make the proper decisions during a person’s lifetime.

The Torah literally says, "Judges and officers you shall appoint to you." The Torah tells us that we must be our own judges. Each of us should self-judge their own actions and deeds if they are in accordance with G-d’s will and whatever needs correcting should be corrected.  The Torah tells us that this should be done with "righteous judgment." We should not be blinded by self-love and self-righteousness, which will distort true judgment of ourselves. 

Q.   Rosh Chodesh Elul begins this Wednesday night, through Thursday and Friday. Parshat Shoftim is the first Shabbat in the month of Elul. Why is this lesson important for us in the month of Elul?

A.   The month of Elul is the last month of the year.  It is the month in which each of us has to make a thorough accounting of all our deeds throughout the previous year.  It is the final month of the year, when we should correct the mistakes we made during the year.  Elul is the month of self-Judgment. The beginning of the Parsha, "Judges and officers youshall appoint toyou... Justice, justice shall you pursue…” reminds us of our own responsibilities to do a self-inspection and self-judgment, to reinforce the good deeds we did, and correct whatever needs correction, during this month of Elul.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY