This Week’s Torah Portion: Shof’tim – שֹׁפְטִים (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9)
צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ׃
Equitable justice you shall pursue, in order that you may thrive and inherit the land that Adonai your God is giving to you.
(Deuteronomy 16:20)
By repeating the phrase “justice, justice,” the Torah teaches us that true justice can only come from a place of equity. When we pursue an equitable society, each person in our communities can feel seen, accepted, and valued for who they are, receiving the treatment they deserve from the people in their communities, as well as fairness under the law. May we all pursue equitable justice for ourselves and every person in our lives.
Parsha Shof’tim – שֹׁפְטִים Torah Summary:
Laws regarding both sacred and secular legislation are addressed. The Israelites are told that in every dealing they should pursue justice in order to merit the land that God is giving them. (16:18–18:8)
The people are warned to avoid sorcery and witchcraft, the abhorrent practices of their idolatrous neighbors. (18:9–22)
God tells them that should an Israelite unintentionally kill another, he may take sanctuary in any of three designated cities of refuge. (19:1–13)
Laws to be followed during times of peace and times of war are set forth. (19:14–21:9)
Shof’tim – שֹׁפְטִים
צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ׃
Equitable justice you shall pursue, in order that you may thrive and inherit the land that Adonai your God is giving to you.
(Deuteronomy 16:20)
By repeating the phrase “justice, justice,” the Torah teaches us that true justice can only come from a place of equity. When we pursue an equitable society, each person in our communities can feel seen, accepted, and valued for who they are, receiving the treatment they deserve from the people in their communities, as well as fairness under the law. May we all pursue equitable justice for ourselves and every person in our lives.