Triennial Reading Cycle 2
For Year 5784

Shoftim includes the following themes:

1. Judicial System – Verse 16:20 includes a notable Jewish expression: JUSTICE, JUSTICE YOU SHALL PURSUE. In the Talmudic era (200 BCE - 600 CE) Judaism developed an elaborate judicial system which sought to punish the guilty while protecting the accused prior to judgment.

2. Idolatry – The Torah lists the conditions and ramifications of idol worship. The punishments were severe: Judaism did not permit the deification of human beings of animals. Belief in God allowed a person to recognize a more powerful source above himself. Idolatry was human-oriented and controlled. Such a lifestyle would breed arrogance and not humility, illusions of grandeur and not moderation.

3. Kingship – A Jewish King was bound by Jewish canon rather than by personal discretion. He reflected the moral and spiritual character of Judaism – his Kingship was guided by the highest standards. Then and now, many rulers have note heeded the Biblical command. We read about constant misuse of power, unethical and immoral practices and government competition on the highest levels. The Bible warned Israel about the weaknesses of human kings. Unfortunately, not much has changed.

4. Priests/Levi’im – These two groups were the spiritual leader of the people. They were motivated by spirit and not by self-interest. By denying them land, the Bible helped them avoid conflicts of interest and allowed them to serve all people equally. Later on, the Priesthood suffered its own forms of competition at the expense of Israel’s unity and national purpose. Today also, religious leaders must exhibit behavior above reproach. They must also, however, be honored and revered by the community that surrounds them.

5. Prophets – The prophets were the social activists of their age; they served as the moral conscience of the people. They spoke in God’s name – not as sorcerers or practitioners of witchcraft. Their words, though difficult at times for the people to digest, reflected the moral decay of the people. Were they to speak out of self-interest or self-promotion, they would be committing fraud. Even if the people initially rejected the prophet’s message, the prophet had to live and act beyond reproach. Although the age of prophecy is long gone, people today rely on the counsel of their religious leaders. When such leaders abuse their authority or speak to people deceitfully, their actions can have a negative impact on the people they purportedly serve.

6. The Torah then discusses carious aspects of Criminal Law, including:

Cities of Refuge – If someone commits manslaughter unintentionally, he/she would be relocated as a sort of protective custody. In biblical times, members of the dead person’s family might seek revenge (from a person called the Go’el Hadam, Avenger of Blood) – even for an unintentional crime. The cities of refuge established a sanctuary where the manslaughter would be protected.

Landmarks – Today, our property borders are recorded in deeds, which carefully define the measurements of our homes. We often construct fences or plant trees around the perimeter. When someone encroaches on our land, we can contest such encroachment through legal means. In biblical times, ha’sagat g’vul, removing a landmark/encroaching on someone’s property was also prohibited. Today, we expand the concept of ha’sagat g’vul to other areas of life – including copyright infringement. As one contemporary example: there are people who take copyright designs – for example, cartoon, TV or movie characters – and incorporate them into clothes, artwork, even yarmulkas. Frequently, they do so without asking permission. Such an action often constitutes copyright infringement, what in Hebrew we refer to as ha’sagat g’vul. Because such practices are so pervasive, the people who violate copyright rules are often ignored. Nevertheless, the concept of ha’sagat g’vul is of great legal and moral concern.

Plotting Witnesses – When witnesses step forward to falsely accuse (with intention) another individual of committing a capital crime, the witnesses are called plotting witnesses. If their plot is discovered, they receive the punishment they intended for the innocent victim.

7. Laws of Warfare – Even in war there are rules. (Think about the Geneva Convention.) Certain people were exempt from military duty, such as a newlywed, one who has bought a new home, or one who is too timid to serve (and might influence others). Despite the need for self-defense, Jewish law displayed an uncommon sensitivity in establishing such exemptions. During war, the soldiers were careful not to destroy fruit-bearing trees, which sustained and nourished the people, even the enemy. The Israeli military, even in its most severe battles, has carefully avoided any attack on holy sites.

Haftarah Reading: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

During the weeks following Tisha B’Av (the day commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple), we read various selections from Isaiah which offer hope and consolation to Am Yisrael. In this fourth Haftorah of consolation following Tisha B’Av, the prophet arouses Jerusalem and her exiled people:

Awake, Awake.
Put on your strength, Zion,
Put on your beautiful garments!
O Jerusalem, the holy city!
For the uncircumcised and impure
shall never enter your gates again.

Parshat Shoftim

Deuteronomy 18:6-19:13
September 6-7, 2024