Taste of the Parsha

In Parshat Shoftim, Moshe continues preparing the people to enter the Land of Israel. After teaching individual mitzvot, he now turns to the bigger picture how to build a just and orderly society.

Every city must appoint judges and officers to ensure true justice no bribes, no favoritism, only truth.

Even the king is not above the law. He must write his own Torah scroll, read from it every day of his life, and remember that his position is to serve the people, carrying a sacred responsibility from Hashem.

Moshe also reminds the people of the role of the Kohanim, the Levites, and the prophets, whose focus must remain spiritual to keep the nation guided and connected.

The parsha introduces the concept of Cities of Refuge places where someone who killed by accident could flee for protection until the case is judged.

It also lays out rules for war: always offer peace before battle, send home those who are fearful, and even in war, never destroy fruit trees “for man is the tree of the field.”

Finally, the parsha teaches communal responsibility for life. If someone is found murdered in a field and the killer is unknown, the nearby town performs a special ritual to show that every life matters and that no one is indifferent.

This parsha is a guide for building a strong, moral, and compassionate society with clear laws, humble leadership, and a deep sense of shared responsibility