Torah Thoughts

This week we read the Torah portion “Shoftim” (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9).

“Shoftim” contains 14 positive commandments (“do’s”) and 27 negative commandments (“do not’s”). There are 97 verses.

“Shoftim” is translated as “judges.” Our Torah portion opens with the mitzvah to appoint judges and law enforcement officers in every community in Israel. The eternal words “tzedek, tzedek tirdof”, “righteousness, righteousness shall you pursue” have been the cornerstone of Jewish society since its inception. The Hebrew word for justice, “tzedek” literally means righteousness. In the eyes of the Torah, there is no true justice without righteousness, without an awareness of the presence G-d. Indeed, the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of Israel, was located in the precincts of the Holy Temple, adjacent to the altar, emphasizing the judiciary’s reliance on and absolute submission to Divine will.

A judge, executing his mandate in accordance with the Torah, the Divine will, is revealing the ultimate truth in the world. Until the verdict is released, there is a sense of chaos in the world, even if the facts are known to all. The judge is invested with the power to restore order, in a sense reenacting the process of creation. Thus, in the eyes of our Sages, a judge executing judgment in accordance with the Torah becomes a “partner” with G-d in creation.

(Deuteronomy 16:20) “Righteousness, righteousness shall you pursue so that you may live and possess the land that HaShem your G-d gives you.” A just society is a prerequisite for life and for the existence of a Jewish social, political entity in the Land of Israel.

The establishment of a legal system is so fundamental to human existence, that it has been included in the list of seven “Noahide Laws” which according to our tradition are incumbent on all humanity. In recent days, we have witnessed the shocking results of lawlessness in the wake of the hurricane. For years we have seen the bloodletting in Iraq and Gaza where anarchy is the law. Let us appreciate the fact that we live in a society ruled by law, based on biblical principles, and let us do everything in our power to protect and uphold the legal system that is the matrix in which we function as a society and as unique individuals.

The HAFTARA (excerpt from the prophets) this week is the fourth in a series of seven “Haftarot of Consolation”. These are read between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah. This week we read from Isaiah 51:12-52:12. After severe privation and oppression, G-d comforts His people and reminds them that their adversaries are mere mortals who will die and wither away. G-d will return His children to Zion. Their enemies will drink from the bitter cup from which they for so long had been drinking. The herald will come over the mountains to announce to Jerusalem that peace, goodness and salvation are imminent.