Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue

Parshat Shoftim

Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9

Synopsis

Upon entering the land, the Israelites are commanded to establish courts of law within their settlements. Judges are told to be fair and impartial, never accepting bribes or favoring anyone.

Again, Moses warns the people against idolatrous worship. An individual accused of establishing alien worship is declared guilty only upon the testimony of two or more witnesses. The penalty is death.

A case too difficult for a judge to decide is brought before the Levitical priests or magistrates for a ruling.

Should the people choose to establish a monarchy after they take possession of the Land, Moses provides them with a framework for how this is to be done. The king must be an Israelite. He should not have numerous wives or acquire great wealth. The teaching (Torah law) is to guide him at all times.

Moses instructs the people not to become involved in soothsaying or sorcery, for these are idolatrous practices of other nations.

Moses warns the people against false prophets and tells them how to identify a true prophet. Moses continues his discourse by describing the cities of refuge - three cities on each side of the Jordan set aside for individuals who accidentally kill someone. Moses further instructs the people to increase the number of refuge cities as their territory increases.

As the portion concludes, Moses discusses the rules by which Israel is to conduct its wars, exempt individuals from wars, and deal with unsolved murders.

For your Shabbat table Torah discussion:

• In each of these final portions of the Torah, Moses repeats himself quite often. Why do you think he spends so much time reminding the Israelites of everything that has been told to them?
• This parsha is called Shoftim, which means "judges." In this portion, Moses reminds the people that judges must be fair. Is it difficult to always be fair? What qualities must a judge have that would help to keep him/her fair?
• There are many rules in the Torah, many of which are repeated here. How do rules help to make things fair? What makes a fair rule? What makes an unfair rule?

This week's g-dcast cartoon: