Parsha Shoftim

Introduction to the portion of Shoftim. This portion deals with the necessity to appoint honest judges and policemen in all your municipalities. (Ch. 16 verses 18 & 19)

The Torah commands us to appoint righteous judges and that they should pursue justice. Next a warning not to plant an Asherah tree. though it may look like any other tree it is an idol, and a unscrupulous judge is compared to an Asherah tree. (Ch. 16 verses 20 - 22)

A blemished sacrifice. And the penalties for idol worship. (Ch. 17 verses 1 - 8)

Finishing off the topic of judges and their decisions. The next topic concerns Jewish kingship. (Ch. 17 verses 9 - 15)

The continuation of the laws concerning a King of Israel. An emphasis on his responsibility to lead the nation on both a secular and spiritual level. He must be humble! (Ch. 17 verses 15 - 20)

The command to give the priest 24 special gifts, since they did not receive a portion in the land with the other tribes. They have an obligation to serve God in the place that He would choose. (Chp. 18 Verses 1 - 21)

The end of this chapter deals with the laws of Divination and prophecy. (Ch. 18 verses 14 - 22) (Ch. 19 verses 1 & 2) Introduce the laws of the Cities of Refuge.

The laws of the Arei Miklot, the cities of Refuge, a place where someone who killed another person would run so that the relative of the deceased could not kill him. Once he enters the City of Refuge he is safe from the revenge of the relative. From that city he is taken out an judged by the court and they decide his guilt or innocence. (Ch. 19 verses 3 - 15)

( Ch. 19 Verses 16 - 21 And Ch. 20 Verses 1 -2)

Preparing for war. Three conditions that exempt a man from going out to battle. Then the fourth, if he is faint of heart. The logic behind these exemptions is perfect! The wisdom of Torah. (Ch. 20 verses 3 - 9)

Continues with the laws of war and besieging a city. (Ch. 20 verses 10 - 20) (Ch. 21 verses 1 - 9) Deals with the law of a dead body found in a field. The ritual of the Eglah Arufah, the calf whose neck we break as a sign that after a war we view a human life as something sacred.