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 requires of His people. Justice must never be compromised—under any circumstances. Bribery, condemned even in ancient times, was forbidden because it perverts justice, causing judges to forsake truth and abandon impartiality.
In our day, bribery has been given a new name: “lobbying.” Yet behind the label often lies the same corruption. Vast fortunes are spent by the powerful to influence the decisions of lawmakers—decisions that are often far from just in the eyes of the Almighty.
Justice is the foundation of blessing and prosperity. Where it is absent, chaos and ruin inevitably follow. And so the world hastens toward judgment—the judgment of the Sovereign Lawgiver—because mankind has chosen injustice over righteousness.
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 warfare. Yet in doing so, Yehovah reveals a deeply compassionate and just aspect of His character, for He Himself instructs His people on how war was to be conducted. We must be clear: these instructions did not apply to the conquest of Canaan. The seven nations who inhabited the land were to be utterly destroyed because of their idolatry, occult practices, and moral depravity. But when Israel engaged in wars beyond the borders of the Promised Land—wars that would arise as a natural consequence of living in obedience to the Torah—the procedure was different.
First, Israel was to offer terms of peace. If the city accepted, its inhabitants would become tributaries and serve Israel. If they refused, however, the city was to be besieged; and once it fell, all the men were to be put to death, while the women, children, and livestock were to be spared. The spoils of the city would then belong to Israel.
These verses establish the principles by which Israel was to wage war against cities outside its inherited territory. It was not to be conducted in a cruel or mercenary manner. Peace was to be offered first. But if that offer was rejected—if every opportunity for peace had been refused—Israel was to proceed without hesitation.