Parshah • August 2023
Shoftim – The Judge and the Policeman
Society may have the wisest judges but without an effective police force, the judges’ wisdom remains but empty words. And the converse is also true: having a strong police force…
Society may have the wisest judges but without an effective police force, the judges’ wisdom remains but empty words. And the converse is also true: having a strong police force…
There is a wonderful teaching in Pirkei Avot, the section of the Talmud devoted to the wisdom-teachings of the Masters of old. Therein it is asked, “Who is the wise…
You recall the wonderful experience of walking upon the shore of the sea watching a beautiful sunset over the distant horizon, and becoming aware of your feet sinking comfortably into…
At night we are tireder and less likely to think creatively, whereas in the morning we feel fresh and energetic. This is because both soul and body underwent a rejuvenation…
What does it mean to stand firm, especially against all odds. The Jewish people’s resilience is unparalleled- 3500 of history, far outstripping the longevity of any other nation, culture, race…
You plan. You work hard. And success comes. What next? Enjoy the fruit of your labours. Take a much-deserved vacation. Relax. Not according to the opening verse of this week’s…
People argue. When the argument becomes fuelled by emotion, the argument can escalate into war. When societies and countries argue, the venom may reach a critical point that war erupts.…
The book of Devarim is basically a repetition of the previous four books. So why repeat what we already have received?
We are all familiar with the anecdotal traveller who argues vehemently with the gate steward to allow him onto the plane though he has arrived too late, but to no…
The ethics and morality of waging war extends to the imperative to wage war within, to tame our ego and dependency on mundane life pleasures. A successful war would elevate…
Standing firm means to recognise each other’s gifts and to integrate them, uniting us as a strong single unit that can overcome every challenge and adversity – one super mind…
The failure of the mission by the twelve spies is a mystery. How could they lose faith in G-d? But they didn’t. They simply mistook a well-known teaching not to…
Moses appeals to G-d and pleads to enter the promised land. Why not argue his case, especially as justice is on his side? A plea appeals to the heart. Argument…
The Parsha opens with the instruction to see the breadth and scope of the Torah, and its blessings and consequences of non-obedience. But how can you literally see this. You…