Shoftim 2020
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2020
Choose Great Leaders!
A close friend of mine, a Senior Executive of Human Resources, said to me that he never saw an organization succeed without great leadership. Parshat Shoftim is all about leadership, how to choose and importantly how not to choose a leader.
Judges
“You shall not plant an Asherah tree proximate to the Alter.” It seems quite obvious; Asherah trees were worshipped extensively by the local Canaanite population, why would the torah need to tell us not to plant such a tree near to the Temple Alter? In fact we should not plant an Asherah tree anywhere! The agadic interpretation provides some clarity. “One who chooses an unworthy judge is equal to someone who plants an Asherah next to the Temple Alter.” Expanding on this point, the Malbim interprets verse 19 entirely as to how to appoint a judge. Malbim reads the pasuk as follows, “you shall not pervert justice, (you must appoint judges in way that prevents such perversion), you shall not prefer one face over another, (do not pick the judge with the prettiest face), you shall not receive bribes, (do not prefer your friend over a more worthy individual). The nepotism so prevalent in most societies and yes in our world is considered by the Torah as accepting “Shochad” a bribe. The consequence will be that justice will be perverted and society will suffer.
Kings
Kingship is different, the Pasuk clearly allows or even encourages the passing down of the throne father to son; “Let him not elevate his heart above his brothers and not stray from the commandments right or left so that his kingship shall last, he and his sons, in the midst of Israel.” (ch 17 v20). If he or his children are unworthy then they will lose the kingship. This happened to Saul the very first king. The primary purpose of the king is to wage war and to build a temple. Who chooses the king? What is the process? The Pasuk says “When you conquer and inhabit the land and you declare the need to appoint a king like all the other nations. Then you shall place upon yourselves the king who G-d chooses.” (ch 17 v 14,15) First the people need to ask for a king. G-d will respond via a prophet or the high priest breastplate the “Urim Vetumim”. The “asking” for a king is evolutionary in nature. The nation will “ask” when it matures and self identifies as ready to be “A nation among nations”. We could hardly be recognized as a significant nation without a king!
Prophets
This person is chosen by G-d to deliver His message to the people. The message may be a rebuke or divine direction an matters of national interest; eg Should we go to war! The acid test as to who is a true prophet speaking for G-d and who is a false prophet is either in the content of the message or in the outcome from the prediction. If the message violates the Torah then the prophet is a false one. Similarly if the alleged prophet makes a prediction and it does not come true that person is also a false prophet. The Rambam describes another type of Prophet as one who cleanses his mind and soul to become close to G-d. He argues that such prophecy is self induced and is available to anyone!
Priests and Rabbis
In the Torah the Kohen and Levi act as community educators. The community is tasked with supporting these religious leaders visa mandated gifts; Tithes, first born animals first sheerings etc. The Torah specifically prevents the Kohen from receiving land in Israel; “I G-d am his inheritance” Ch18 v 2). Interestingly, here too the Rambam allows for anyone to choose the path of the Levi dedicated entirely to a life of learning and teaching Torah
The Parsha continues with a description of the process of war including all leader types in the declaring and waging of war. If we appoint appropriate and worthy leaders and follow the exacting procedures we will be assured of victory.
Shabbat Shalom
In Memory of Joel Shulman A’H and on the occasion of the Yurtzeit of my mother Chanah Peryl Bas Shalom A’H