Recap for 7 Elul, 5776 (Parsha Shoftim)

This Shabbos we continued our learning of Torah V’Derech Eretz from Leo Levy’s book. We also studied Parsha Shoftim, including commentary from Rav Yeager's book. David Schlesinger led our learning.

We learned from Leo Levy’s book the differences between someone who studies Torah as a craft, and someone who is engaged in a regular work profession. The Torah craftsman studies Torah at certain times, and does not interrupt, postpone, or reschedule his study in order to do work. On the other hand, those who are not Torah craftsman give priority to their work, and do not let Torah study get in the way of this. Regardless, Torah study still has the status of “kevah” status for everyone, as we discussed a few weeks ago. Torah study remains a permanent part of everyone's overall life.

We learned from the Parsha, how certain cases would require at least 2 witnesses. Rob commented about his personal experience, that sometimes having more witnesses is not necessarily better. Nevertheless, the Torah requires 2 witnesses in capital cases. We discussed how gamblers cannot be included as a witness, if their primary income comes from gambling. The reasoning is that if gamblers cannot carry out their own obligation to engage in productive work, they cannot be trusted to testify against those on trial for not carrying out obligations.

We learned how Judaism is a religion of obligations, and not a religion of rights. For example, from the parsha, we are commanded to build cities of refuge for those who commit inadvertent murder. Those who live up to their obligations, but commit murder inadvertently, are not held responsible and are in fact protected. This is quite different from secular law which provides for all types of lawsuits and possibly criminal charges when someone’s rights are violated.

We learned from the Parsha some of the laws we must follow when going to war. We must not destroy any fruit bearing trees. As human life has a lot of value, we should try to save it by offering terms of peace before leading an invasion. Prior to conquering the land of Israel, we gave the inhabitants 3 choices: leave the land, adapt to our ways, or fight us.

We learned from the Parsha, that there is an order of doing things in life, building a house, starting a business, and getting married. Dave W pointed out that those who are engaged in these activities are exempted from going to war.  Specifically, those who are building a house, planting a vineyard, or just getting married are exempt.  We also exempt those with a soft heart from going to war.

We learned cases where we are allowed to make assumptions. For example, we can assume that someone who keeps Shomer Shabbos is going to provide kosher food in his home. We do not need to check the hectar of the items he or she is serving us. There are also assumptions, such as assuming the Eruv is up, if it was up the last time we checked it.

Finally, Norm relayed from a lecture he attended, how the 10 commandments are all contained in the Parsha. Also we must avoid wasting anything, not just fruit bearing trees. If we have extra food we should consider donating it or giving it away.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.