Shoftim

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Shoftim resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Shoftim: The High Court

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Long before Lord Acton, the Torah well understood that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is for this reason that the King – who did have lots of power – was to be closely monitored[1]. He was not allowed to have excess…
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Parshat Shavua 5783 with weekly guest speaker (Shoftim)

Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz

Class

Shoftim: Intellectual Honesty

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Judaism has always placed tremendous emphasis on intellectual achievement and development. Talmud Torah k’neged kulam—the study of Torah is equal to all other mitzvoth—speaks to this emphasis. Our Sages teach that, "An…
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Parshat Shavua 5782 with weekly guest speaker (Shoftim)

Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot

Class

Shoftim: A Beautiful Animal

Rabbi Jay Kelman

“Do not sacrifice to G-d, your Lord, an ox or sheep that has a blemish; any bad thing, it is an abomination to the Lord, your G-d” (Devarim 17:1). While it is understandable that our offerings to G-d should be wholesome, the Torah's condemnation of…
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Parshat Shavua 5781 with weekly guest speaker (Parshat Shoftim)

Rabbi Dr. Jacob Jaffe

Class

The Haftarot: How to Profit from the Prophets (Parshat Shoftim)

Dr. Moshe Sokolow

Class

Shoftim: Words are Not Enough

Rabbi Jay Kelman

"The hand of the witnesses should be against him first to put him to death, and the hand of the nation at the end" (Devarim 17:7). Giving testimony in a court of law, especially in capital cases, is an awesome responsibility. The Talmud…
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Shoftim: Nothing to Fear

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The basic duty of every government is to provide security and protect its citizens from both internal criminal activity and external enemies. Parshat Shoftim, which contains the mitzvah to appoint a king, thus also contains the mitzvot of appointing…
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Shoftim: Enabling Evil

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Evil does not exist in a vacuum. A culture is needed for evil to be nurtured, in which it can grow and develop. And when that happens, aveirah gorreret aveirah; one misdeed leads to another, greater sin. Perpetrators of corporate…
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