Rachel Turtledove – Year 10

Parashat Shoftim

This week’s parashah is Shoftim, which means Judges. It is part of Moshe’s final speech to the Israelites before he died. He instructs the people to pursue justice so that they can live just lives in the promised land, Israel.

Moshe explains some of the rules to maintain a just society, such as: The children of Israel must create Cities of Refuge within Israel and employ witness testimony in deciding legal cases. This is important as it ensures that people have somewhere to go to be safe from persecution, similar to the refugee crisis the world is facing today. Being a witness and providing refuge contribute to a just society as we are ensuring that everyone is being cared for and feeling welcomed.

Moshe proceeds to say that if the Israelites eventually want a king, they will have to ensure that the elected king is worthy of that role. The king cannot own a lot of horses or silver, and cannot have many wives. He must not over-extend himself which will negatively effect those he is supposed to protect. As well, the king needs to write his own Sefer Torah, Torah Scroll, and make sure he adheres to its commandments.

In the beginning of the parashah, Moshe says the people should appoint judges and officers. Although this can be interpreted as appointing officers to these positions to make sure everyone is doing the right thing in society, on a deeper level, it can be interpreted to mean that each and every one of us should judge ourselves, making sure that each and every one of our actions are not only conforming to what the Torah states, but are also moral and just actions.

One of the most prominent lines in Shoftim is: “Tsedek, tsedek tirdof – Justice, justice shall you pursue.” Being just and pursuing justice is the most important thing that a person can do. This call, “Justice Justice shall you pursue” has shaped and defined who the Jewish people are and what we are about. This is especially important today in the face of the critical need to ensure justice on issues such as economic injustice, environmental devastation and acts of terror and genocide.

This call tells us to not wait in addressing such issues that we face, around the world today, but to strive to live just and righteous lives.

Lastly, the parashah also addresses the idea of never ‘arriving’ at justice, but striving throughout our lives to uphold the values of being just. Some may find this idea of striving for justice liberating, as sometimes, thinking we have arrived at justice can actually drive us towards injustice. Those who set themselves up to do God’s work of justice can become the most unjust people as can be seen seen in today’s world. Pursuing justice and striving to be a ‘just’ person acknowledges that we must grow and improve so that our justice and righteousness is essentially the best it can be.

So how does all of this relate to us? We all need to make sure we are pursuing justice in our own lives. It is also important that we each take time out of our day to self-reflect on our individual actions and determine whether these are all moral and just.

Liat Granot – Year 8

Shoftim

Tzedek, tzedek tirdof – Justice, justice you shall pursue,” This famous statement comes from this week’s parashah, Shoftim.

A main theme in Shoftim (which means ‘Judges’) is justice. The parashah speaks about appointing just judges when the Israelites enter the land of Israel. Moshe, in this series of final speeches before he dies, also gives some of the characteristics of a just and good judge. “Judges shall be appointed to judge the people with justice. You shall not twist judgment by favouritism or accepting bribery, because both blind the eyes of the wise and cause the words of the righteous to falter. Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and take possession of the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you.”

But what really is justice? Is it just a word? Is it a way of being? A state of mind? Let’s begin exploring this concept by noticing when this is read. Parashat Shoftim is always read around the beginning of the month of Elul, when teshuvah (repentance and a turning to living as a better individual) is a focus for Jews. The Torah calls to our attention with the word “lekha,” (to you) that every person should carefully judge and police his own self especially during this month, and rectify any wrongdoing committed. Focusing on wrongdoing and repenting our wrongdoings are part of being a ‘just’ person and the focus of Elul is repenting for our sins and making a positive change.

Another aspect of justice is not to accept bribery “You shall not distort justice; you shall not show favouritism, and you shall not take a bribe.” Once the Torah says that one mustn’t distort justice, does that mean it is necessary to ban bribery too? Rashi (a biblical commentator) explains that the Torah forbids bribery even in an instance where one specifies that the money is being given on condition that the judge issues a fair verdict! For as soon as the judge is thus bribed, he will be biased in favour of that particular party, and will be unable to issue an unbiased ruling. As the verse continues: “for bribery blinds the eyes of the wise.” As soon as a kinship exists between a judge and one of the people in court, that judge is unfit to conduct over that case.

But how does this relate to us who are not in a law court? During the month of Elul, every person is expected to judge his or her actions and deeds of the previous year. However, every person has been ‘bribed’ by a sense of self-love, and is incapable of being able to make a completely fair evaluation. Therefore, every person must appoint a ‘judge’, an impartial spiritual mentor, who can issue an objective opinion. Aka God.

So this week let’s reflect on all of our actions to make sure we too are just people.