Shoftim – Peninim on the Torah

“What man (is there) who is fearful and fainthearted let him go and return to his house.” (20:8)

After the Torah lists those who were free to return home from battle, it mentions the one who is faint-hearted. One who lacks the courage to represent his people in battle should return home lest he instill this fear into others. In Sotah 44a the Talmud adds that this fear is more than an apprehension concerning battle and brush with death. This fear applies to one who is ushca ,urhcgn trh, “fearful of the sins in his hand” One who is afraid of the transgressions he has committed will affect the success of his brethren. He must depart from the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5753

“And the iron flies from the wood and finds his fellow man and he dies, he shall flee to one of these cities and live.” (19:5)

The unintentional murderer was required to flee for the safety of his life to one of the designated cities of refuge. In Parashas Masei, the Torah states that the murderer was to remain within the confines of the city until the death of the Kohen Gadol. If the murderer were to leave the city prior to the Kohen Gadol’s death, he may have been killed by his victim’s closest kinsman. The Mishnah in Makkos 2:7 states that the Kohen Gadol’s mother would provide food and drink for the exiled murderer, so that he would not pray for her son’s death….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5753

“You should prepare the way . . . (so) that every murderer shall flee there.” (19:3)

The Torah implores Bnei Yisrael to “prepare the way” for the unintentional murderer, availing him the opportunity to reach the safe haven of the Arai Miklat. Indeed, they prepared road signs which pointed the way to the nearest city of refuge. The Talmud in Makkos 10b states that just as Hashem shows the way for the unintentional sinner, He certainly does the same for the righteous. Horav A.H. Lebowitz, Shlita, notes that Hashem places “road signs” for all of us, directing us to the correct path to follow for a successful life. The unintentional murderer found his way referring to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shoftim, 5753

And it shall be when he sits upon the throne of his kingdom and he shall write him a copy of this law . . . and it shall be with him. And he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear Hashem his G-d . . . that his heart not be lifted up (in arrogance) above his brethren and that he not turn aside from the mitzvah.” (17:18,19,20)

The Torah implies that the king must seek shleimus, perfection, not only as king, but also as an individual Jew. He is not permitted to allow his exalted position to go to “his head.” Arrogance is an unbecoming character trait for anyone, especially a Jewish king. All too often, one who is constantly involved with communal responsibility forgets his obligation to himself. One’s personal spiritual perfection should not defer to his communal endeavors. One who devotes himself to Klal Yisrael undoubtedly has enormous zechusim, merits. These merits will support him in his time of need. Nonetheless, as Horav D. Bliacher,…

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“What man (is there) who is fearful and fainthearted let him go and return to his house.” (20:8)

“And the iron flies from the wood and finds his fellow man and he dies, he shall flee to one of these cities and live.” (19:5)

“You should prepare the way . . . (so) that every murderer shall flee there.” (19:3)

YEARS

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