Weekly Parsha

This Week Torah Study is sponsored anonymously.

Let's pray for the "Refuah Shleima" (speedy recovery) of " Jimmi Black". May G-d deliver us from this crisis speedily and grant a complete recovery to those who are ill, Amen!

Prayer List

"Shlomo Tamas ben Sarah"
"Aaron Caleb ben Chana"
"Malka Batya bas Tova"
"Shabatai (Sebastian) ben Tova"
"Adira (Heidi) bas Sarah"

Deuteronomy 16:18 -- 21:9

Shoftim, Shof'tim, or Shofetim (שופטים), Hebrew for “judges,” may mean: The plural of Shofet, judge. Sefer Shoftim (ספר שופטים), the Hebrew name for the Book of Judges. 

Topics in this week's portion include: Judges and Justice, "Forbidden Trees and Pillars" worshiped as idols, Blemished Sacrifice, Penalties for Idolatry, The Supreme Court, The King, Levitical Priests, Priestly Portions, Special Service, Divination and Prophecy, Cities of Refuge, Murder, Preserving Boundaries, Conspiring Witnesses, Preparing for War, Taking Captives, Conducting a Siege and the Case of the Unsolved Murder.

This week we have the famous admonition: "Righteousness, Righteousness shall you pursue, so that you will live and possess the Land that the Almighty your G-d, gives you" (Deut. 16:20).

"Judges and police you shall place for yourself" (Deut. 16:18).

What homiletic lesson can we learn from this verse to improve our own character?

Make for yourself judges and police, that is, before you go and make judgments about other people, judge yourself first. As the Sages said, "First correct yourself and only then correct others" (Bava Basra 60b).

It is very easy to find fault with others. However, this can easily lead to becoming arrogant and retaining all of your faults. While we have an obligation to help others grow, keep reviewing your own behavior to see what you can improve. The purpose of police is to make certain that the laws are enforced. Similarly, when you find a fault in yourself, take action to fix it!

* * *

The Torah writes about a king:

"And it will be as when he sits on his throne of royalty..." (Deut 17:18).

Why does the Torah use the phrase "as when he sits" rather than just say "when he sits"?

Even if a king is a ruler for a long time, he should still view himself as if he just obtained his rulership – as when he began to sit on his throne.

When a person first acquires a position of leadership, he is very idealistic and has many ideas and plans that he would like to implement for the benefit of the people under his authority. However, frequently after some time passes, the leader either becomes bored, disillusioned or worn out; many of his plans become lost.

Therefore, the Torah says about a king that he should always look at himself as if he just started sitting on his throne. This will enable him to have the same energy and enthusiasm as he originally had.

This same principle applies to anyone who is in charge of the welfare of others – for instance, parents! Remember the enthusiasm and goals you had when you first started out and keep trying to sustain it.

Don't expect more from someone else
than you expect from yourself.

The price of greatness is responsibility.

Shabbat Shalom!

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