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“Jewish Justice & Jewish Leadership”
So much emphasis has been placed on fighting for social justice, that articles regularly appear appealing to Jewish leadership to tone down the emphasis on “Tikkun Olam,” (a phrase that comes from the Aleinu prayer) calling on Jews to “repair the world under the reign of the Al-mighty.”
“Enmity”
Enmity is regarded by Judaism as so corrosive that even hating one’s friend in one’s heart is explicitly prohibited by the Torah. The Talmudic interpretation of a verse in parashat Shoftim offers a surprising definition of “enemy.”
“The Torah Declares War on Bribery”
Although much of western society considers bribery in judgment to be a perversion of justice, this has not always been the case. The intention of providing equal justice to all citizens is a rather recent development. In the Torah, bribery has always been looked upon as the height of venality.
“Waste Not — Want Not”
A single isolated law prohibiting chopping down trees in times of war has evolved in to a fundamental body of vital precepts prohibiting the wanton waste and the callous destruction of property and nature.
“The King of Israel: The Privileged and Obligated Monarch”
In parashat Shoftim we read about the appointment of a king for the people in the land of Israel. Is this appointment optional or required? What rules “govern” the king? What kind of government does Judaism advocate–a theocracy, a monarchy or a democracy?
“The Great Real Estate Swindle-Its Implications”
A seemingly innocuous rule of not moving one’s neighbor’s boundary has remarkable implications concerning the Jewish concept of the integrity of property, both physical and intellectual, unfair competition, improper business practices, and the encouragement of virtually unbridled intellectual competition.
“The Extent of Rabbinic Authority”
In this week’s parasha we are introduced to the Torah law that affirms rabbinic authority. In the traditional observant Jewish community today the nature and extent of rabbinic authority is a matter of dispute. This dispute regarding Daat Torah (whether advice given by great Torah scholars must be followed by Jews committed to Torah observance) very much devolves about the meanings and interpretations of the verses cited in parashat Shoftim.
“Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue”
The Torah’s ideas of a judicial system and the pursuit of justice has revolutionized jurisprudence throughout the world.
“Astrology, Witchcraft, and Spiritualism in Judaism”
In parashat Shoftim, the Torah tells us that when the Jewish people enter the land of Israel they must not follow the abominable practices of the nations that reside there. It is strictly prohibited to cause a son or a daughter to pass through fire, to practice divination, astrology or to visit one who reads omens. Patronizing a sorcerer, an animal charmer, inquiring of the Ov or Yidoni or consulting the dead is forbidden. The Jews are supposed to be wholehearted with G-d, and not to support the magic or spirituality of the ancients. The questions remains, is there any efficacy to witchcraft or to the magic of the ancients?
“The Torah-The First Environmental Treatise”
The Torah’s commandment in Genesis to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden ” to work the land and to protect it,” was humanity’s first call for conservation and protecting the environment. This revolutionary message that the Torah introduced 3,300 years ago, is as fresh, as vibrant and as green as if it were given today. Many additional revolutionary environmental laws may be found in parashat Shoftim.
“Security for Citizens and Caring for Guests”
In parashat Shoftim we encounter the ritual of eglah arufah, the ceremony of the heifer that is put to death. We learn from the ritual of eglah arufah, that both city officials and hosts, in general, have a responsibility of escorting visitors and making certain that they can travel safely from one city to another. Those who fail to provide security, are held morally responsible. It applies for those who welcome visitors into their homes, today as well.
“War, the Jewish Community, and Jewish Family Life”
The Torah looks upon the duty of a husband to bring happiness to marriage, not only for individual happiness, but also for the national well-being, as a sacred duty. For that reason, for an entire year after marrying, the husband is freed from all public services and duties, even service in the army. The exemption will hopefully result in the laying of a strong foundation for family life, as well as a fundamental means of strengthening the community.
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