This week’s parshah, Shoftim, contains many diverse laws. It begins with the necessary appointment of judges and police, then goes on to speak against idolatry and deals with dissent within the judicial system. The parshah contains laws applicable to a king, to the Kohanim and Levi’im, and to witnesses, thieves and murderers. And on and on. A central theme of this parshah is our turning to HaShem – repentance.
One of the most telling passages deals with going out to war and how one must strengthen themselves despite the challenges the army might face.
“Should you go out to war and you see horses and chariots, a nation larger (mimkha) than you; do not fear them, for I am the Lord your God Who took you out of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 20:1).
The Baal Shem Tov explains the verse as follows: “Should you go out to war…a nation larger mimkha, from you…” That is, when you go out to battle the Evil One and see the opposition and claims against you because you, through your misdeeds, have created this evil. You are afraid because these evil forces have been created by none other than you, yourself, through your misdeeds and sins. Yet you are going out to battle evil – the evil inclination that seems extremely formidable and powerful – only because you want to draw close to HaShem.
Then HaShem says, “Do not fear them.” Do not fear the challenges of the evil one. Why? Because I am HaShem Who took you out of Egypt! And thus, I can take you and save you from even the worst situations. The Zohar teaches that the Egyptians were sorcerers who trapped the Jews without any recourse to leave Egypt. Yet, HaShem broke all their evil spells and destroyed them. Egypt is considered the worst of all the exiles, yet we were redeemed from there. So too, HaShem can redeem anyone even from the worst scenarios, and He will help you conquer your enemy.
The same applies even in today’s situation with Gaza, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, etc. They are all larger than us. Yet, HaShem is all-powerful, and He can save and protect us. What we need is to repent, to turn to HaShem and ask Him to be with us. For He took us out of Egypt and can thus take us out of any horrible situation. We need to turn to Him.
Therefore, Parshat Shoftim always falls at the beginning of Elul, to remind us that the Days of Awe are rapidly approaching. We face judgment. We face difficulties. The way to overcome is to realize that HaShem is with us, always, and that He is always available to help. Just turn to Him.
Have a great Shabbos.
