Parashat Shoftím en Inglés 5786.

SHOFTIM Moshé reviews the laws necessary for Israel to live as a civilized and holy society in the Promised Land. The first thing he establishes is justice: “Judges and officers you shall appoint in all your cities, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” Justice could not depend on power, influence, or bribery. A judge was forbidden to show partiality because bribery blinds the eyes of the wise. If a case was too difficult for the local court, it had to be brought before the higher authority: the cohanim and the Supreme Court, which had its seat at the Sanctuary. Its decision was final, and refusing to obey it was punishable by death. On the inner level, Shoftim represents the mind that discerns between good and evil, connected with Biná, understanding. Shotrim represents the power of will that carries out this discernment in the body. The inner “bribe” is self-love and vanity, which corrupt our judgment. Therefore, the Torá requires judges to be placed at the “gates” of the body: the eyes, ears, and mouth, in order to filter what enters and what comes out. Idolatry is also regulated. Offering animals with defects to HaShem is prohibited because the korban means “approach,” and it must be whole, without duplicity in the heart.