Parashat Shoftim - A Case for Rabbinic Authority

Fail proof Your Relationship With Hashem | Parashat Ki Tavo with Rod Bryant

We have found considerable lack of clarity in describing the functions of the king. It may very well be that the Torah was intentionally unclear on the subject and avoided detailed explanations so as not to lay down the law definitively. The role of the king was thus open to according to the decisions of the sages and the will of the people in each generation.

If a case is too baffling for you to decide … you shall appear before the levitical priests, or the magistrate in charge at the time, … You shall act in accordance with the instructions given you and the ruling handed down to you; you must not deviate from the verdict that they announce to you either to the right or to the left (Deut. 17:8-11).

This lecture examines the contrast between Rabbi Ovadiah Sforno and Maimonides on the issue of mediocrity and balance in Torah living. Discover the inspiration in your personal yearning.

One of the warnings in this week's reading is not to listen to a false prophet who seeks to lure his listeners into partaking in pagan practices. The Torah stresses that he should not be heeded, even if he supports his words with signs or portents, as we read in Deut. 13:2-4

In the book of Deuteronomy Moses presents the Israelites (and us) with a commandment which was not found in the previous books of the Torah-- the commandment to love the Lord: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might". [2] This new mitzvah is mentioned no less than ten times in Deuteronomy. This innovation goes hand in hand with another unique commandment - the declaration that the Lord loves the nation of Israel: "And because He loved thy fathers, and chose their seed after them, and brought thee out with His presence, with His great power, out of Egypt" (Deut.4:37).

It this week study of Parashat Eikev the Blessed One said; "Beware, Lest Your Heart Grow Haughty". In today's class, we will discuss the difference between haughtiness and pride. Can one be proud of his or her accomplishments without violating this commandment? Discover the enlightening conversation and learning opportunity.

Moses' request of the people at this historic moment is understandable, for only that same generation can attest to later generations about the three important events in the life of the people from which they are to draw their strength. Only this generation can attest to the exodus from Egypt, the revelation of the Lord at Mount Sinai, and the miraculous conquest of the promised land. Attesting to the exodus is possible at this point, for there still survived many people in whose mind this experience had been deeply inscribed.

Tisha B'Av (lit. "the ninth of Av") (Hebrew: תשעה באב‎ or ט׳ באב‎) is an annual fast day in Judaism which commemorates the anniversary of a number of disasters in Jewish history, primarily the destruction of both the First Temple by the Babylonians and the Second Temple by the Romans in Jerusalem.

In this weeks portion, we see Moshe offer peace to King Sihon after G-D commanded for Israel to make war and subjugate them. What was Moshe doing? Was he ignoring G-D's command? We will explore the paradox of War and Peace and the futility of making peace with a sworn enemy.