YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- D'varim
Let us examine these p'sukim carefully and try to learn a lesson for all generations, including our own. Who are the shoftim whose return we are awaiting? At first glance, it seems that these are judges, whom the Torah refers to as shoftim (see Devarim 16:18) and rabbinic sources refer to as dayanim. If so, this is also parallel to the matter of Zion being "redeemed with justice." In other words, Zion will be liberated when it has a judicial system that justly implements the laws of the Torah. However, this understanding requires us to evaluate the symmetry in the first pasuk, where the shofet is parallel to the yo’etz.
What is a yo’etz? Literally, the word means one who gives advice, which often refers to one whose noteworthy attribute is his wisdom. However, we find that it is not referring necessarily to someone who has no power other than to provide ideas for others to act on. Micha (4:9) asks: "Is their no king amongst you? Has your yo’etz been lost?" Here we see that the yo’etz is parallel to the king. Upon further thought, we interestingly notice that the root of king (maloch) is also the root of lehimalech (to ask others for advice).
Let us now return to our pasuk. If the yo’etz is the king or some other similar leader, then so is the shofet. This should not be shocking, as in Sefer Shoftim, we have little to no evidence of the shofet serving as a judge in court and much evidence of his being a general and a political leader. Thus we are talking about the restoration of the executive branch. (We would point out that one of the jobs of the executive is to protect the judicial system and its judges.) We can thus learn from these p’sukim that the ultimate redemption depends on a just usage of executive powers. This must be the hallmark of an independent Jewish state, which is the vision of the prophets. Within this context, the second pasuk, dealing with justice and tzedaka (which can mean righteousness and/or charity), is crucial. There must be law and order in any successful government. However, Yeshaya teaches us that the government must also be dedicated to fairness and to charity. Social sensitivity toward the needs of the weakest in society must go hand-in-hand with law. Without this, a system of justice is a somewhat hollow value.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
