Parashat Shoftim

The month of Elul is a blessed month in Jewish calendar as they do penitence and do acts of justice, so that they may earn their place in the book of life.

This is the first torah portion in the month of Elul

This portion is from Deut 16:18–21:9

This portion starts with appointment of judges in all the gates. They were to be impartial and conduct themselves without taking a bribe. They were to mediate for peace among the conflicting parties. The gates also refers on how we need to have judges in the gates of our body too.(Eyes ,ears, mouth etc)

When we are bombarded by falsehood in every direction, we should guard our gates and conduct ourselves without any blemish.

Song of Songs 6:3-we are so close to our beloved and we need to introspect every detail of our life.

This portion also talks about the conduct of Israel when they had Kings. The kings were not allowed to cause the people to return back to Egypt. A New Testament believer is equally charged to not to let people go back to Egypt by their conduct.

In this month of Elul we need to work on deepening of relationship with God.

The Jewish sound the shofar during the month of Elul. Its a wake up call.

There are two types of Murder described in this parashat. When a person commits an unintentional murder , he can go to the city of Refuge.

There is an unsolved murder issue towards the end of the Parashat. The elders had to measure the closest city and to make a statement that they had nothing to do with it. This is a mystery like the Red Heifer. When Israelites get into the promised land-they had to be responsible for every single life. Every life, every soul is precious.

They had to scale up in leadership, stewardship and responsibility.

This also has mention on how to go for war. The Priest had to give a command of encouragement. A person who is betrothed or planted a vineyard or built a house had to return home. Paul refers this in 2Timothy 2 in his charge to Timothy. A soldier should not be disturbed by civilian affairs. A soldier is not afraid. He had to keep faith in God and give his best without any reservations.

This also talks about being stewards of fruit trees -very relevant in the context of climate change.

The reception of Torah was a very significant event but it had to be translated into a lifestyle. Faith without works is dead. Be Tamim…Tamim meant being whole hearted and simple. God expected that from His children.(Deut 18:13)

The people had to entrust their future in the hands of the Lord and not worry about anything or about tomorrow(Matthew 6:28–33)

This portion also talks about the Prophet that would rise in Israel.(Deut 18:15) This is fulfilled in our Lord Jesus.