Join our weekly Peninim on the Torah list!

  • Reset
Category

5771

YEARS

5751
5752
5753
5754
5755
5756
5757
5758
5759
5760
5761
5762
5763
5764
5765
5766
5767
5768
5769
5770
5771
5772
5773
5774
5775
5776
5777
5778

Home -> 5771 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5771

The Kohen shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, “Hear, O’ Yisrael, today you are coming near to the battle against your enemies; let your heart not be faint; do not be afraid; do not panic; and do not break down before them.” (20:2,3)

There is a well-known passage in the Talmud Berachos 5a which addresses the strategy one should employ upon being confronted by man’s greatest enemy from within: the yetzer hara, evil inclination. Chazal give us four options which, based upon a person’s spiritual level, should assist him in staving off the yetzer hara’s crippling influence. The first approach is yargiz yetzer tov al yetzer hara, agitate one’s good inclination against his evil inclination. Take the yetzer head on, using the good inclination within oneself to overwhelm the evil. If this does not prove effective, Chazal advise engaging in Torah study. If this…

Continue Reading

Home -> 5771 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5771

And do not erect for yourself a matzeivah (idolatrous pillar) which Hashem, your G-d, hates. (16:22)

Much of Sefer Devarim alludes to warnings concerning the idolatrous behavior of the nations inhabiting Eretz Yisrael. The Torah admonishes us not to learn from their nefarious practices, lest we fall prey to the yetzer hara, evil inclination, which seduces one to worship idols. One of the prohibitions is the erection of a matzeivah, pillar of stone, on which they would offer sacrifices. This is forbidden, even if the offerings are to Hashem. Rashi explains that Hashem abhors a matzeivah. He commanded us to make a mizbayach avanim, altar of stones, a mizbayach adamah, altar of earth, but not a matzeivah….

Continue Reading

Home -> 5771 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5771

Justice, justice shall you pursue. (16:20)

Rashi explains the Torah’s enjoinment that we pursue justice as a demand that we seek out the most competent, knowledgeable court of law to adjudicate our dispute with another Jew. Sifsei Chachamim adds that, even though the case we have can really be listened to by any decent court of law, the claimant has an obligation to go out of his way to seek the most learned, qualified, impartial bais din available. A din Torah is often “cut and dry.” Reuven owes Shimon, so all that is necessary is a judge who is not “blind,” and who has the courage…

Continue Reading

Home -> 5771 -> Shoftim

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shoftim, 5771

They shall judge the people with righteous judgment. (16:18)

The simple meaning of this command is that the judges who are appointed to adjudicate various disputes should do so with integrity and righteousness, acting with impartiality in maintaining a system of justice that is above reproach. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that the appointed judges were to intercede before Hashem on behalf of the Jewish People and find merit for them. While this is certainly a noble calling, the choice that the Midrash presents as an example of a leader who exemplifies the trait of seeking merit in behalf of Klal Yisrael is enigmatic. The fifth Shofet, judge of the…

Continue Reading

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our weekly Peninim on the Torah list!

You have Successfully Subscribed!