WHY 'DRAFTING GROOMS'?!- Parshat Shoftim

In explaining on this week's parsha that there are no exemptions from Milchemet Mitzva (obligatory wars), the unique (and admittedly surprising!) term used by our sages is: "that even the groom must leave the yichud room, and the bride, from her canopy" to go with Israel to war. This short and practical article with today's war in Israel, does not (!) deal with drafting women but rather offers 4 innovative explanations behind this surprising phrase.

Parashat Hashavua: “All Creation Will Know” – part IV

Appointing a King in Israel (abridged version)

“He Shall Read from it all the Days of his Life”

Shoftim

The Greatness of Humility

The Torah Portion and the Unique Month of Elul

How to Join the Ranks of the Greatest People in History

A wise man once said: "The history of the world is actually the history of the great men of the world." He meant, of course, that the great people are those who move the historic processes and determine their countries' agenda. There is much truth to this saying, but it must be understood correctly – and if it is, that will determine whether we will end up as one of these "great men," or rather trail far behind them...

Environmental Responsibility

No Talebearing!

What constitutes talebearing?

This week’s parsha teaches the prohibition against having one witness testify against someone, which is a violation of loshon hora.

As Lovely As A Tree

The Torah prohibits planting trees in the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. Why?

For peace: agree to agree!

Kim Li? Litigation and Justice Must Go Hand and Hand

How do we implement principles from this week's Parsha in our beit din network, “Eretz Hemdah- Gazit”?

Standards of Justice

This week's Torah reading envisions for us an efficient, organized system of law and order, justice, and fairness. The Torah set a very high bar regarding the selection of judges and police. They are to be free of prejudice, bias and personally held agendas and social ideals.

The Answer Is “Simple.”

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?

Learning and Leadership

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.

What’s the Matter with Horses?

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.

Be Tamim; Avoid Miracles and Dispute

The Torah's Real Estate Advice

Israel National Torah

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

Do We Measure Up?