Our Torah portion is called “shoftim,” meaning judges, as the opening verse teaches: “judges and officers shall you make in all your gates…and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” The opening verses speak of the special qualities of a righteous judge, and the need to avoid all hint of corruption or discrimination. We are to regard each person in the palm of one’s hand, meaning that each person is equal in the eyes of the law. For judges are to act justly and love mercy, as the prophets taught.

This ‘sedrah’ also discusses the problems of kingship, of different types of warfare, and the dangers of idolatry. (to name but a few topics) This portion also contains a Jewish version of the “best interest of baseball” clause. “If a case is too baffling for you to decide… you shall promptly repair tot he place that the Lord will have chosen and appear before the Levitical priests or the magistrate in charge and present your problem. When they have announced to you their verdict in the case, you shall carry out the verdict…observing scrupulously all their instructions to you…(Deut. 17:8-12)

This passage constitutes the Torah’s realization that its body of rules can never be comprehensive enough. It therefore empowers some future authority to rule or legislate as that authority sees fit. In essence, this Torah passage legitimatizes rabbinic authority for all future generations.

Join us for an incisive Torah study this coming Shabbat.