Parashat Shoftim 5782

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Moses emphasizes the importance of a judicial system: judges shall be appointed to judge fairly, not taking bribes. He instructs them, צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף…., “Justice, justice shall you pursue….” (This quote hung in the office of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg z”l.)

We learn of the gravity of being a witness. An individual can be condemned to death only on the testimony of 2 or 3 witnesses; if they are to be stoned, the witnesses themselves must be the first to put their hands on the person in carrying out the sentence. False witnesses are not to be tolerated. One who is suspected of giving false testimony is brought, together with the accused, before the judges to determine who is telling the truth. If the accuser is indeed determined to be a false witness, then (s)he must suffer the same punishment that would have been meted out on the accused had they been found guilty.

Six cities of refuge are to be set up as safe places for one who killed another unintentionally. If anyone who murdered someone intentionally fled there, (s)he was to be removed from there and delivered to the (family) avenger.

We also learn the laws of war: those going to battle must not be afraid. (Chazak v’Ematz!) Anyone who had built a new house but not dedicated it, planted a new vineyard but not eaten from it, betrothed a wife but not married her— and anyone fearful or faint hearted–was to be sent back home. Additionally, when besieging a city, you may not cut down trees that are used for food.

Interactions with fellow Israelites and our enemies alike must be guided by this overriding principle: “You shall be perfect with the Lord your God. (18:13)”