Shoftim

The Torah Portion of Shoftim

The Torah Portion of Shoftim ("Judges") always falls on the first Shabbos of the month of Elul, and it is written in the Sefer M'ora Shel Torah, that this is to remind us that we need to pray that our judgment will come out well.

"Judges and officers shall you put in all your gates." (Devorim 16:18)

The Masters of Mussar (Ethics) say that every man needs to make for himself "Judges and officers in all your gates".  The explanation is, in the gates of himself -- for speaking, for seeing, and for eating.

"You shall be wholehearted with Hashem, Elokecha." (Devorim 18:13)

The name "Hashem" is used to indicate G-d's trait of Mercy, and the name "Elokecha" is used to indicate G-d's trait of Strict Justice.  Therefore it is written "You shall be wholehearted with Hashem, Elokecha" -- whether He treats you with the trait of Strict Justice, or whether He treats you with the trait of Mercy, you need to serve Hashem in all situations.

"You shall be wholehearted with Hashem, Elockecha." (Devorim 18:13)

Not only in front of others should you be righteous, but also when you are alone by yourself, and only Hashem Elokecha is there with you, you also need to be righteous and wholehearted. 

Haftora

"Shake the dust from yourself, arise." (Yishayahu 52:2)

The Sages say, this is like a chicken.  The explanation is, that if a chicken is dirty from dust, if you wash her with water, you will just make matters worse because the dirt will penetrate more deeply.  The best advice is that she should clean herself, and she shakes the dust off.  So too, everyone needs to make an effort to shake off his sins from himself, as it is written "If I am not for myself then who will be for me" (Pirkei Avot Chapter 1), and then the Holy One Blessed Be He will help him.

The Torah Portion of Shoftim has 97 verses.  14 commandments. 27  negative commandments.Haftora: "Anochi Anocho" (Yishayahu 51).  

L'ilui Neshamat HaGaon HaTzaddik R' Gershon Avigdor Ben Chaim ztz"l


Shabbat Shalom.