Shoftim

August 21, 2020
1 Elul 5780

Parashat Shoftim
Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9

Dear Friends,

The month of Elul began yesterday; this morning, the sound of the shofar resonates around us as it is blown for the first time this year. The sound of the shofar has the power to enter our very being and shake us to the core. It is not a pretty sound. It is one of depth and power -- the power to wake us up.

The sound of the shofar comes at just the right moment. We are all functioning in ways we never have before, deep into a new normal that does little to sustain our connection with one another. It is at this moment of being, tired, worn out, frustrated, and possibly fearful that the sound of the shofar arrives. Never have we needed it more. Hearing the sound of the shofar (the only required mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah), is to be woken up at this moment of transition when transformation lies within our reach. We are capable of more than we ever imagined. We are capable of seeing the world differently, of seeing one another differently knowing that the words of Dr. King are not yet true, knowing that hate and fear cannot propel us forward, knowing that we can make a difference.

We are taught in this week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, that we are to pursue justice. “Judges shall be appointed to judge the people with justice. You shall not twist judgment by recognizing a face or accepting bribery, because both blind the eyes of the wise and cause the words of the righteous to falter. Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and take possession of the land which God, your God, is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 16:18 - 20)

We are also taught what to value and what is worrisome when it comes to our leaders -- our kings. We know that no leader is perfect, but the Torah lets us know which flaws can be the most destructive for the people they are being asked to lead. Putting oneself above the people has always been deemed dangerous, hence the importance of justice and the rule of law so deeply embedded in our tradition.

“When you come to the land that God is giving you, and dwell in it, you will want a king. You shall then set a king over yourself who God will choose. This king shall not be a foreigner but one of your brethren. This king must not have many horses, nor many wives, nor amass silver and gold for himself in excess, so that his heart may not go astray. Rather, when he sits upon the throne, he shall write for himself a duplicate of this Teaching in a book. He shall read from it as long as he shall live, so that he may learn to fear God and not lift himself above his brethren nor turn aside from the commandments.” (Deuteronomy 17:14 - 20)

This Torah portion prepares us for a new beginning. It too, is a wake-up call like the shofar. The High Holy days are upon us and, as we do every year, it is a time of reflection. But this year the stakes seem higher, and our actions and our inaction mean more than it ever has. The Torah portion comes to teach us one more very important truth -- that we are on this journey together. We are not alone. With that in mind, join us whenever you can throughout the month of Elul as we prepare together for the High Holy Days and the year ahead with study sessions and learning opportunities. Shabbat morning services resume this week. In addition, we will have our first Elul study session this Tuesday from 2 to 3pm, when we will explore what it means to create a sacred space in your home and how each of us can approach this unique challenge.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn