parshat Shoftim

This short little five-word phrase – “You should be tamim with Hashem your G-d” - is one of the most powerful and profound p’sukim in the Torah. But - what does “Tamim” mean?

The parsha of Shoftim is the classic source of the three types of leadership in Judaism, called by the Sages the “three crowns”: of priesthood, kingship and Torah.

The first commandment addressed to the Jewish king is: “Just he should not acquire for himself many horses, and he should not return the nation to Egypt to acquire many horses" . The commentators have explanations of the connection between the prohibition on horses and the matter of not going to Egypt.

Discussing Jewish property rights and real estate, comparing the laws as they apply in the Diaspora and in the Land of Israel.

A Shiur by Rabbi Berel Wein for the Weeky Torah reading of "Shoftim".

A Shiur by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks for the weekly Torah reading of "Shoftim".

An explanation of the various halachic underpinnings of the Sanhedrin, including: What are the roles and responsibilities of the Sanhedrin? What exactly is semicha, and why is it such a central factor in the creation of the Sanhedrin? What attempts have been made in the last hundreds of years to reconvene a Sanhedrin and reestablish semicha?