Parashat Shofetim (Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

Welcome to the first Carpool Curriculum of the new school year. We are in Parashat Shofetim (Deut. 16:18 - 21:9). In this parasha the Torah makes it clear that God wants us to question our leaders. And just as we welcome new Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor the ancient Israelites are instructed to appoint judges to make sure that no one person gets too much power. Judges and kings are told how to behave and those rules apply to today, too.

Judges are told not to favor the poor over the rich, everyone should be viewed equally. Why might a judge favor a rich person? Why might some judges favor a poor person? What about you? Do you think you could always be fair and judge cases without favoring one side or another?

Judges are not allowed to accept bribes. Why not? Does a judge automatically rule for a person just because they took a bribe from them? If you took a bribe but ruled the other way, what might the person think about that? Is that okay to do?

Once a decision has been given in a case we are told that we cannot go off on our own (Deut. 17:11-12). Why might people be tempted to do something else once the judge has made the decision? Why would it be a problem for people to do their own thing after a judge has ruled? Whose job do you think it is to enforce the rulings of judges in America today?

In 15:15 we are told that if the Jewish people decide to appoint a king he has to be from among their own people; no reason is given for this law. Why can't someone from "the outside" be appointed? What are the laws governing who can be President? Why are those rules like that? Not all of Israel's Prime Ministers been born and raised in Israel. Why might the system have been different over there?

The king has to keep a copy of "the law" right next to him. Why? Why can't he just keep in his mind? Why can't he just hire someone to sit there next to him and remind him of the law?