Towards the end of our sedra we are given the ‘rules of engagement’ – laws of conduct in war. Before we go to war, the ‘anointed kohen’ speaks to the people, ..
Written by D Fine
The start of perek 21 (1-9) is devoted to an ostensibly odd topic, known as the eglah arufah. Briefly, if a corpse is found between two cities and the murderer is unknown, ..
Written by d fine
The sedra opens with the command to appoint shoftim and shotrim in our cities. What are these two positions? Rashi explains that shoftim are the judges who decide ..
Written by d fine
Parashas Shoftim – Guard Your Senses This week’s sedra is Parashas Shoftim which contains many commandments, both new and re-spoken by Moshe concerning the establishment ..
Written by Daniel Sandground
This week’s haftara includes the line in ‘lecha dodi’ “hisne’ari me’afar kumi” – shake yourselves off and get up from ..
Written by D Fine
Some mitzvas are better not done!! For example in this weeks parsha we are told “Soim Tasim Olecha Melech” “You shall appoint a king over you”. ..
Written by B Rose
At the end of the parsha, we have the chapter of the Eglah Arufa (decapitated calf). [Devorim 21: 1-9] The law, simply stated, is that if one finds a dead body in an open ..
Written by B Rose
It seems that many people are becoming frustrated with the Israeli government. Eleven months they have been killing us and the army barely responds. I don’t ..
Written by B Rose
The Torah says that we should not tolerate the presence of witches sorcerers or any people who seek out the future through forbidden means. Rather, “Tamim ..
Written by B Rose
Parshas Shoftim; Malchus The subject of authority is one which crops up lots in this week’s sedra of shoftim; and indeed is the title of the sedra too. For example, ..
Written by D FIne