Shoftim – Peninim on the Torah

“And it found his friend and he died, he should flee to one of these cities and live there.” (19:5)

The unintentional murderer is instructed to flee for the safety of the city of refuge, so that he may continue to live safely without fear of vengeance from the relatives of his victim. To “live” is not merely to exist, but rather, to continue his original life to which he had been accustomed. The Talmud in Makos (10a) states: “If a disciple was exiled to a city of refuge, they in turn exile his teacher with him, for it says, “and he shall live” which implies provide him with the proper arrangements to enable him to live, and a student…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5751

“A prophet out of your midst, from your brethren, like me, will Hashem your G-d raise up for you. Unto him you shall listen.” (18:15)

The posuk promises Bnei Yisroel that Hashem will always send prophets and leaders to guide them. The purpose for them is not to take the place of the various prophets and soothsayers who controlled the lives of the pagans. This is not a requirement in the life and goal of Bnei Yisroel. Our lives and destiny, all that we are to do and not to do, are regulated and satisfied by the Torah. The purpose of the prophet is not to consent to the advisability of our plans, nor to satisfy our desires by some knowledge hereby denied to ordinary…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5751

“And he should not accumulate wives lest his heart turn away from Hashem.” (17:17)

The Torah states in very strong terms the prohibition of Jewish king from accumulating a large number of wives, horses, or wealth. To each of these prohibitions the Torah attaches a reason, “Lest his heart turn away from Hashem.” Shlomo Hamelech, whose Torah wisdom was so immense and whose heart was so pure, felt certain that no surfeit of wives would turn his heart from Hashem. He therefore declared that he maintained the strength to withstand all the trials without sinning, and proceeded to transgress these commandments. The Midrash points out that when Shlomo transgressed these commandments, the letter “yud”…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5751

Appoint for yourselves judges and police for your tribes… – “Do not plant an asheira (a tree for idolatry) for yourself… near to the altar of Hashem your G-d.” (16:18-21)

It is interesting to note the proximity of the Torah‘s enjoinment of the appointing of judges, to the admonishment regarding the planting of an asheira tree near the altar. Rabbi Meir Shapiro Zt”l explains that the Torah here is alluding to the character of a Jewish judge and leader. The mizbayach was filled with the earth and covered with copper. This denotes the nature and temperament of a Torah leader. He should be inwardly meek and humble as earth, and outwardly brazen, unswerving and steadfast as copper – in defense of the Torah’s laws and the sanctity of the Jewish…

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“And it found his friend and he died, he should flee to one of these cities and live there.” (19:5)

“A prophet out of your midst, from your brethren, like me, will Hashem your G-d raise up for you. Unto him you shall listen.” (18:15)

“And he should not accumulate wives lest his heart turn away from Hashem.” (17:17)

Appoint for yourselves judges and police for your tribes… – “Do not plant an asheira (a tree for idolatry) for yourself… near to the altar of Hashem your G-d.” (16:18-21)

YEARS

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