Good Shabbos! Good Shabbos!
This weeks’ Torah Portion is Parshas Shoftim. Shoftim means Judges. Fittingly, much of this weeks’ Portion deals with defining a judge, how judgments should and should not be made, some laws of witness and more. When you think of a ‘Judge,’ what comes to mind? Most likely, a very knowledgeable, experienced moral person wearing a long black robe sitting in a fancy chair behind a huge wooden grandstand bench presiding over cases of law. Yes, this is a judge. However, we have to remember that all of our Torah is was given for all of us to grow and learn from, not simply the very knowledgeable and experienced robe wearing folk. So, what does this portion about judges have anything to do with me? Firstly, this is call to support the precepts established in this weeks parsha regarding setting up a structure of law, courts, judges and officers for implementation. On a different level the mere mention of this weeks parsha recalls the statement from the mishnah in Pirkei Avot, “Dan L’chaf Zchut” Judge favorably. Judging others favorably is a commandment for all to follow, not only the judges with Robes. Everyday we come in contact with people that we look up to, as well as perhaps some people that we don’t. We have a challenge from our heritage to Judge them ALL favorably. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov writes very clearly that this obligation extends to even the least righteous members of our community. This being said, we should not turn a blind eye to reality. A bad action, is a bad action. A mistake, is a mistake. However, we have to remember to judge the action, and not the person.
Let’s take the “judgments” of this week’s parsha and work to realize that judging others (and ourselves!!) favorably is an obligation that brings more goodness and joy into our world. When we work to see only the good, we will become accustomed to seeing more good. We can create a snowball effect of Goodness. With an increased awareness of the good around us, our lives can only get better!
Shabbat Shalom!
Derek Gormin
Director of Education