Parshas Shoftim: From Sadness to Joy

In our Torah portion this week, Shoftim: Deuteronomy (Devarim) 16:18 - 21:9, Moses continues laying out the rules for a functional and holy society in the Land of Israel. This week he concentrates on justice and its application by judges and legislators, kings, priests and prophets.

Moses points out the character flaws and actions that destroy society: compromised standards, bribery, idolatry, scams, emotional arguments, situational ethics, intellectual conceit, personal ambition, professional insecurity and cowardice. 

He takes great pains to remind the people that successful and ongoing possession of the Holy Land depends upon holy determinations by authorities who rely on Torah based law when developing national policy and adjudicating conflicts.

Of great concern to him is protecting innocents from harm and those falsely accused of criminal behavior. In His wisdom, the Almighty makes it personal. The whole town or city bears responsibility for shedding innocent blood. If allowed to happen and go unaddressed, everyone incurs guilt.

The Haftorah this week is the fourth Haftorah of consolation between the 9th of Av and the Jewish New Year. This week, Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 51:12 - 52:12, lifts spirits depressed by folly and sin. Isaiah promises joy and song in God's promised redemption when Israel repents. A renewed Jerusalem existing only to praise God awaits us. 

How easily we discard Torah fundamentals and a joyous future in favor of the false promises of popular culture! Modern governance around the globe now suffers from all the ills Moses warned against. Corrupted judges, compromised heads of state, politicians and faith leaders, and nefarious social media influencers hold sway over almost every area of our lives.

Lies get repeated over and over again. Slander and false witness supplant the voice of conscious and common sense. We are pawns in a dangerous game of life and death. 

So far have these deceptions progressed that pre-born babies bear the painful indignity of being dehumanized and blamed, accused and legally tortured to death for society's failures and the shortcomings of their parents.

Each of us has a unique obligation in the effort to save the lives and destinies of our beloved pre-born children. As we approach the New Year and its promise of a renewed covenant with our Heavenly Father, Isaiah 52:9 reminds us that our efforts have guaranteed results. "Burst out in song, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has consoled His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has revealed His holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."

Please share this post on your social media to amplify our message in this troubled world. Thank you.

Cecily Routman 

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen.

Cecily Routman is the founder and president of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation. She opposes abortion homicide in general and among Jews in particular and laments secular policy making in Israel that results in loss of Jewish life and delays the messianic redemption. She envisions a Torah based holy Land of Israel and a world that respects the life of every human being from conception.