Parashah Shoftim
Deut 16:18 – 21:9
The chapters of this Torah portion summon us to consider the righteous character of Yehovah and the standard He demands from His people. Justice must never be compromised—under no condition. Bribery, already condemned in ancient days, was forbidden because it twists righteousness, causing judges to forsake truth and abandon objectivity.
In our time, bribery has been dressed with a new name: “lobbying.” Yet behind the word lies the same corruption. Vast fortunes are spent by the powerful to sway the decisions of lawmakers—decisions that are far from just in the eyes of the Almighty.
Justice is the root of blessing and prosperity. Where it is absent, only chaos and ruin remain. And so the world hastens toward judgment—the judgment of the Sovereign Lawgiver—because mankind has chosen injustice over righteousness.
Instructions for War
“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and a people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for Yehovah your God is with you, the One who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” — Deuteronomy 20:1
In this chapter, the Torah speaks of physical wars. Yet in doing so, Yehovah reveals a most considerate and loving side of His nature, for He Himself instructs His people on how war should be conducted. We must be clear: these instructions were not about the conquest of Canaan. The seven nations who dwelt there were to be utterly uprooted because of their occult practices, their perversions, and their idolatry. But when Israel would engage in wars beyond its borders—wars of expansion that would come as a natural result of walking in obedience to the Torah—the procedure was different.
First, they were to offer terms of peace. If the city accepted, its people would become tributaries and servants of Israel. But if they refused, the city would be besieged; and once it fell, all the men were to be put to death, while the women, children, and livestock would be spared. The spoil of such nations would belong to Israel.
These verses set forth the terms by which Israel was to conduct war against towns distant from Israel’s inheritance. It was not to be waged in a cruel, mercenary manner. A proposal of peace was to be offered; and if that offer was refused—if negotiations failed—they were to proceed without hesitation.
