ב"ה
Shoftim: Leaders
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9
The fifth section of the Book of Deuteronomy continues Moses’ second farewell address to the Jewish people. It opens as Moses instructs the Jewish people to appoint judges (Shofetim, in Hebrew) throughout the Land of Israel to try cases and uphold the law. It continues with Moses’ instructions regarding the other leaders of the Jewish people: the king, the priests, and the prophets.
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Sixth Reading: Deuteronomy 19:14–20:9
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Daily Quote
The etrog has both a taste and an aroma; so, too, do the people of Israel include individuals who have both Torah learning and good deeds.... The date (the fruit of the lulav) has a taste but does not have an aroma; so, too, do the people of Israel include individuals who have Torah but do not have good deeds.... The hadas (myrtle) has an aroma but not a taste; so, too, do the people of Israel include individuals who have good deeds but do not have Torah.... The aravah (willow) has no taste and no aroma; so, too, do the people of Israel include individuals who do not have Torah and do not have good deeds.... Says G-d: "Let them all bond together in one bundle and atone for each other."
–Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra 30:11
The Parshah
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