SEDRA : SHOFTIM Hertz Chumash p. 820 Deuteronomy Chap. 16 verse 18

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SYNOPSIS:

Moses proceeded to review the regulations needed to ensure the conditions necessary for a civilised society. Local judges and officers were to be appointed in every city, and justice was to be administered righteously and impartially. A judge was, therefore, strictly forbidden to display bias or accept a bribe. If a local judge were to find a case too difficult to decide, he should refer it to a higher authority, namely the Kohanim and the Supreme Court sitting at the Court of the Sanctuary. Their decision would be final, and refusal to abide by their verdict may be punishable by death.
The crime of idolatry, determined after a thorough inquiry, was to be punished by death through stoning. The testimony of a least two eye witnesses was required and they had to administer a formal warning to the perpetrator. These witnesses were to be the first to carry out the execution.

Moses noted that the time would come when it was appropriate for the people to choose a king to rule over them, as was the case with other nations. When this occurred, the appointed ruler was to be a native Israelite chosen by G-d. He was not to misuse his power to amass many horses, maintain a harem, or accumulate great wealth. He was to write or commission a copy of the Torah Law for his own use, it was to accompany him at all times, so that the would be G-d fearing and Torah-observant.

After enumerating the gifts that the Kohanim were to receive for their sustenance, Moses ruled that if a Kohen from a city other than the one whose Kohanim were on duty came to the Sanctuary, he would be allowed to minister together with the Kohanim already there and to share in the dues they received.

The Torah forbids all forms of superstition and "magic" practiced by soothsayers. Israel had no need to resort to such tricks, for G-d would provide inspired prophets from among the Israelites themselves. These would communicate G-d's will to them. False prophets who spoke in the name of idols were to be punished with death. The false seer could be distinguished from the true one by the non-fulfilment of his predictions.

The removal of a landmark to enlarge one's own estate constitutes theft. Before anyone could be convicted of a crime, his criminality has to be confirmed by at least two witnesses. If a witness was shown to have given false evidence, he was to receive the punishment intended for his innocent victim.

The Israelites should not display any fear before engaging in battle against a powerful enemy, for G-d would protect them. Four categories of men were to be exempt from military service; the man who had just built a new house but who had not yet dedicated it; one who had planted a vineyard and had not yet enjoyed its fruits; one who had just become betrothed; and one who was fearful by nature.

Before Israel attacked a hostile city, she should try to negotiate a peaceful entry, in which case the city's inhabitants would become subservient to Israel. Only if these peace overtures failed could war be waged. If Israel were victorious, all men of the enemy were to be put to death, but their women and children were to be spared. Fruit trees were not to be destroyed during a siege, so that they could continue to benefit the new inhabitants of the conquered city.
If the body of a murdered person were found in the field, and the murderer could not be discovered, responsibility for the murder rested with the city nearest the scene of the murder. In atonement, the Judges and Elders of the city, acting on behalf of the other inhabitants, were to slaughter a young heifer in an uncultivated valley containing a stream. They then were to wash their hands in the presence of Kohanim, testifying that they were in no way responsible for the murder, and pray for forgiveness.

HAPHTORAH HERTZ CHUMASH P 835 Isaiah Chap 51 verse 12

This is the fourth haphtorah of comfort following Tisha B'av. It is taken from the prophecies of Isaiah and speaks of the good tidings of peace and the redemption of Jerusalem and the people of Israel.

TELL ME RABBI ..... "KNOW BEFORE WHOM YOU ARE STANDING"

Above the Aron Kodesh in almost every Synagogue are proclaimed the words "Know before Whom You are Standing ?" or "I have set the Lord always before me". (Psalm 16,8).

The opening words of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish law. Chapter 1 precept 1) reiterate the words of the psalmist:: "I have set the Lord always before me" (Psalm 16.8) : This is a leading principle in our faith, and in the upward strivings of the righteous who walk ever in the presence of G-d. For a man 's mode of life, his demeanour and his deeds, his speech and his movements, when alone at home or in the intimate circle of his family and friends, are unlike those which he would exhibit when in the presence of a great king. And how much more considered will his demeanour be, if he reflect that there stands over him the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, whose glory fills the whole earth, watching his conduct and surveying his deeds; even as it is written: "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him?" says the Lord (Jeremiah 23.24). Such contemplation must perforce imbue him with a true sense of reverence and humility, ..... before the Holy Name..."

The reverence, sincerity, humility and decency of our conduct in synagogue must consistently be of the highest order;"...the Lord always before me". Without appropriate behaviour, our prayers ring hollow.