When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This week I learned about Parashat Shoftim (שֹׁפְטִים), the 48th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings.
According to Wikipedia, Shoftim (שֹׁפְטִים), Deuteronomy 11:18 through 21:9, contains 5,590 Hebrew letters, 1,523 words, 97 verses and makes up 192 lines of the Torah scroll.
Shoftim, the Hebrew word for “Judges”, sets forth rules of conduct related to judges, kings, Levites, prophets, cities of refuge, witnesses, war and unsolved murders. .
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Shoftim:
“Imagine if the President of the United States was required to write an entire copy of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights upon being elected President!! Imagine if every elected official was required to know the laws and even pass a civics test demonstrating knowledge of the function of government and the administration of justice! These are the requirements set forth in this week’s Torah portion that are proscribed for an individual who is appointed King. Furthermore, in addition to writing his/her own Torah, the King was required to read the entire document publicly each year. We can only imagine how much more our public servants would adhere to the formula described in Shofetim, “Justice and Righteousness shall you pursue”.
The pursuit of justice does not exist for its own sake. It is an expression of the sincere desire to establish G-d’s sovereignty on earth. The achievement of a just society which favors neither the rich nor the poor is an integral part of the religious way of life which we refer to as Halacha- “the way to go”. It is the desire to see all levels of society treated fairly and equitably and that included in all the laws and their enforcement are elements of kindness and devotion to the Torah. This why, of the 613 mitzvot in the Torah, so many more deal with human relationships than relations with G-d.
Our task as citizens is to seek truth and justice and to speak out whenever and wherever these values are threatened. This is clearly stated in the comment, “where there is no justice, there cannot be peace.” This is why the prophets proclaim, “let justice flow like a mighty stream” and “Tzion shall be redeemed through justice”. We can only hope that our current and future leaders will rediscover the need to seek a just society and recommit themselves to resetting the course of society toward these sacred goals.
- How many witnesses are required to convict of criminal wrongdoing according to the Torah?
- What is the punishment for a false witness?
- Why does the Torah advocate so strongly against fortune telling and worship of the dead?
- Why are we commanded against owning many horses? What does this teach us about our attitude toward slavery?“
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his shicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
This moment of Jewish Learning is brought to you by the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We are part of a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn more about how your Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://www.fjmc.org/content/affiliating-fjmc.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
About Post Author
