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SHOFTIM

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Isaiah 51:12-52:12

John 1:19-27

The Torah portion Shoftim, opens with instruction to appoint judges and officers (Deuteronomy 16:18-19).  They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.  The people shall not prevent judgment.  The judges shall not respect someone’s presence or position and shall not accept a bribe.  The bribe will blind the eyes of the wise and make just words crooked.  (16:20) Righteousness, righteousness shall you pursue, that you will live and possess the Land that HaShem, your G-d, gives you.

 

Elul is a wonderful time for us, as family members of HaShem.  It is a time in which we should be in deep introspection into our lives and our relationships.  We seek G-d in order to come closer to Him and pursue that intimacy we desire.  In seeking Him, we must look for truth and distance ourselves from falsehood.

 

Often times we seem to miss something as we seek G-d.  We think we are doing all that we can to approach Him.  Bribes, mentioned in this portion, may come in the form of financial.  Flattery, whether we seek it or accept it, is also a form of bribery.  Another form is complacency, blinding us to our need to improve ourselves.

 

How do we improve ourselves?  In the Torah we are challenged to pursue righteousness.  Only by pursuing righteousness and justice will one be assured of not falling into the clutches of complacency.  Shaul (Paul) encourages us to wake up from our sleep, look carefully how we walk, and live a purposeful life making the very most of the time we have (Ephesians 5:14-17).  We should always be ready to give an answer to anyone for the hope we have.  We must continue to seek Him through prayer and study of His Word (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

Shavua Tov

 

Rabbi Z.

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