Articles in Shoftim
Shoftim: The Honest Court
Define Honesty
A tour group visited a court house and watched the court in session. The guide showed them the judge, jury, prosecutor, defense counsel and witnesses. “You see,” said the guide, “it takes many people to turn the wheels of justice.” At that point the prisoner called out from his …
Shoftim: Unity
Reports and Plans
This week we enter the month of Elul, the last month and culmination of the entire year. By Jewish tradition, Elul is a month of reflection and introspection. We review our behavior of the past year and generate an end of year report. Just as you receive an …
Shoftim: Write a Torah
Your Own Scroll
One of the six-hundred-thirteen commandments is the obligation for every Jew to write a Torah scroll. Jews that are not trained to write the Torah script may discharge their obligation by commissioning a trained scribe to write it for them.[1]
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Shoftim: Seeing Another’s Shame
Two Witnesses
Torah law requires two witnesses to establish the truth of a crime. No sin is punishable on the testimony of a single witness, who can misinterpret what he saw and cause the sinner to be punished unjustly. The testimony of two witnesses can be corroborated by testing them against …
Shoftim: Let The Teachers Teach
Leading By Example
“Judges and guards shall you appoint over you at all your gates.” (1) This biblical passage establishes the halachic foundation for a Jewish Judicial system. The two primary players in the system are the judges and the guards. There can be no justice without judges, who issue halachic …
Shoftim: Torah or Democracy?
Disenchantment
In the summer in 2009, US citizens unhappy with health care reform, angrily voiced their displeasure with the government in town hall meetings across the United States. President Obama’s approval ratings plummeted to unprecedented lows, yet he continued to push his health care legislation. The opposition charged him with ignoring …
Shoftim: Food for Thought for your Dinner Table
Sunday: Local Judges
“Judges and guards you shall set for yourself at all your gates.” Judges were placed at the gates of every Jewish community both inside Israel and outside. Why were the Jews from abroad not brought to Israel for trial? Why were courts established outside of Israel?
A judge must …
Shoftim: Rabbinic Legislation
Where Does it Say?
The following question is one that rabbis commonly field. The written Torah is G-d’s law, but on what authority do Rabbis legislate new laws?
Its a fair question and it was first posed by the Talmud. Before kindling the Chanukah lights we chant a blessing, thanking G-d for …
