PARSHAT SHOFTIM – JUDGES AND JUSTICE · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

בס”ד

Parashat Shoftim lays out the foundations for a judicial system, emphasizing the importance of justice, integrity, and truth. It instructs the people of Israel to establish courts in every city to judge the nation with righteousness. At the core of this concept, judges are seen not merely as public officials, but as agents for implementing the will of G-d on earth.

This concept has a deep connection to the Seven Noahide Laws. The Noahide Laws form the universal moral system given to all of humanity, and one of the most central of these is the commandment of “Dinim” (Laws of Justice). This commandment requires all people to establish a legal system to enforce the other laws and ensure that the world is governed by a basis of justice and integrity.

In the Torah and Jewish tradition, there is a special emphasis on the integrity of judges. The severe warnings in the parasha—”Do not pervert justice,” “Do not show partiality,” “Do not take a bribe”—stem from the understanding that judges are the ones who put G-d’s will into practice. Where there is no justice, there is no divine presence.

Just like the people of Israel, the Noahides are also commanded to establish a judicial system. The commandment of “Dinim” places upon them the responsibility to prevent anarchy and absolute chaos in the world. It obligates them to appoint judges and institute laws that will maintain social and moral order. In this system as well, the judges are those appointed to apply divine justice in the world.

The Torah emphasizes, “Justice, justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land.” Righteous judgment is not only a means of maintaining social order but also a necessary condition for the world’s existence. When the judicial system functions properly, the judges express divine providence over the world.

Parashat Shoftim, emphasizes the importance of righteous judgment, a core principle in the Noahide Laws. The judges are the ones who represent divine justice and implement it in practice, thereby becoming partners in the continued existence of the world.
Sources: Deuteronomy 16:18-20. Likutei Sichos Vol. 29 Parsha Shoftim.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein

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