Parashah Roundup: Shoftim 5768

by Steve Brizel

The Appointment of Judges

The Chasam Sofer (as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass) explains the importance of appointing proper judges: link

R. Yonasan Sacks discusses the halachic elements of appointing judges: link (audio)

The Appointment of a King

Rav Soloveitchik zt"l examines the halachic aspects of appointing a king: link

R. Jonathan Sacks explores the ambivalence in the Torah and the Rishonim surrounding this mitzvah: link

R. Ephraim Buchwald demonstrates that the king's life, despite its privileged role, was to be guided by the obligations of the Torah: link

Click here to read moreChazal, Rabbinic Authority and Overriding Torah Law

Rav Soloveitchik zt"l discusses Halachic authority, the limits of Chidushei Torah and the importance of recognizing halachic hierarchy in a famous Drashah on Parshas Korach and in a shiur on Hilchos Gerus: link

R. Yissocher Frand, based in part on a famous story related by Rav Soloveitchik zt"l and recorded by Rav Herschel Schachter about the Psak Din of whether R Chaim Soloveitchik zt"l was worthy of saying shiurim in the Volozhin Yeshiva, reminds us every generation is tested with respect to the fact that we must adhere to the Piskei Halacha of the Gedolei HaDor, even if they do not appear to measure up to the stature of Gedolim of prior generations: link

R. Hershel Schachter explains the Shalsheles HaMesorah of Torah She Baal Peh of Chiddushei Torah on a Torah level in every generation: link (audio)

R. Daniel Z. Feldman discusses the unique power granted to Chazal to override Torah law: link (audio)

R. Avigdor Nevenzal reminds us that in the absence of King, High Priest and Prophets, the only authorities that we have and who are our highest authorities are our Torah leaders: link

R. Chaim Navon investigates the relationship between Torah Shebicsav and Torah Sheh Baal Peh: link

Halacha K' Rabim and the Role of the Zaken Mamreh

R. Berel Wein discusses the tension between majority rule, the rights of a minority and the unique halacha of a Zaken Mamreh: link

Haughtiness and Humility

R. Mayer Twersky, based upon the teachings of the Tomer Dvorah and R Gershon Zaks zt"l, shows why the Smag counts haughtiness as a negative mitzvah and why the Rambam (Yad, Deos: 2:3) views haughtiness as heretical: link

Temimus and Teshuvah

R. Michael Rosenweig reminds us that Teminus is a foundational element of our relationship with God and a primary element for teshuvah: link

R. Baruch Simon investigates the halachic elements of Temimus: link (audio)

Chodesh Elul and Teshuvah

R. Shlomoh Wolbe zt"l, based on a statement of the Rambam in Shemoneh Perakim, reminds us that the study of mussar is the means of reviewing one's traits, weighing his actions and examining his character on a daily basis: link (DOC)

R. Aharon Lichtenstein urges us to remember that changing paths, not just deeds, is the key to a succesful process of teshuvah: link

R. Asher Brander underscores the importance of renewing the stale without razing the infrastructure: link

The Mashuach Milchamah and Our Ultimate Redemption

R. Shlomo Riskin reminds us that our national reemption is tied to our faithfulness to God during the dark nights of Jewish history: link

The Jewish Army

R. Zev Leff, based on the Sefer HaChinuch, suggests that a Jewish soldier who fights with his complete heart and with the intention of sanctifying Shem HaShem in the course of battle will emerge unharmed: link

Hasagas Gvul

R. Baruch Simon discusses the elements of this Torah prohibition: link (audio)

Eglah Arufah

R. Yitzchak Etshalom explores the relationship between the Mitzvah of Eglah Arufah and a famous Medrash that explains why Yosef sent a wagons (Agalos) to Yaakov Avinu: link

R. Aharon Lichtentsein suggests that the Mitzvah of Eglah Arufah reminds us of the value of human life, even during wartime: link