Parsha of the week

Shoftim ("Judges")

 

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

   

Moses instructs the people of Israel to appoint judges and law enforcement officers in every city. "Justice, justice shall you pursue," (Deut. 16:20) This phrase is a guiding principle in Judaism. It is often interpreted to mean that in our pursuit of just and righteous ends, the means to the end must also be just. The Judges are admonished that they must administer justice it without corruption or favoritism. Crimes must be meticulously investigated and evidence thoroughly examined-a minimum of two credible witnesses is required for conviction and punishment.

 

In every generation, says Moses, there will be those entrusted with the task of interpreting and applying the laws of the Torah. Shoftim also includes the prohibitions against idolatry and sorcery; laws governing the appointment and behavior of a king; and guidelines for the creation of "cities of refuge" for the inadvertent murderer. Also set forth are many of the rules of war: the exemption from battle for one who has just built a home, planted a vineyard, married, or is "afraid and soft-hearted"; the requirement to offer terms of peace before attacking a city; and the prohibition against wanton destruction of something of value, exemplified by the law that forbids to cut down a fruit tree when laying siege (Deut. 20:19) In this context the Torah makes the famous statement; "For man is a tree of the field."

 

The Parshah concludes with the law of the "eglah harufa" special procedure to be followed when a person is killed by an unknown murderer and his body is found in a field-which underscores the responsibility of the community and its leaders not only for what they do, but also for what they might have prevented from being done. All share in society's guilt.

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Elul Limmud (Elul Learning)

 

Elul is the month preceding the month of Tishri and Rosh Hashana - a month of intellectual and spiritual preparation before we face God and each other in the Days of Awe to come. Come by the office and and I will teach you to blow the shofar - It is meant to be heard everyday in Elul.

The Kol Nidre ("All Vows") prayer, which is also the name of the service on the evening of Yom Kippur, is chanted three times towards the beginning of the service. According to Max Arzt in his book Justice and Mercy:  
 
"The reader and the two others who hold the scrolls during the chanting of Kol Nidre may be said to be reminiscent of the "court" constituted by three laymen before whom one appeared for the annulment of vows.  Kol Nidre is recited three times because it was a practice for legal formulae to be so recited (Mishnah Men. 10:3). Because the recitation of Kol Nidre is like a court procedure, which could not be conducted on a holiday, it is recited before sunset."
 

After the 11th century, the practice arose of chanting Kol Nidre first in a low and soft voice and then gradually increasing volume at each repetition. Some prolonged the singing until nightfall to enable latecomers to hear at least one rendition.