The Consent of the Governed (Shoftim 5777)
The contribution of Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, to political thought is fundamental, but not well known. In this study I … Read more
Parshot: Shoftim
The Greatness of Humility (Shoftim 5776)
At a dinner to celebrate the work of a communal leader, the guest speaker paid tribute to his many qualities: … Read more
Environmental Responsibility (Shoftim 5775)
Some commands in the Torah were understood so narrowly by the sages that they were rendered almost inapplicable. One example … Read more
Shoftim (5774) – Learning and Leadership
The parsha of Shoftim is the classic source of the three types of leadership in Judaism, called by the sages … Read more
Shoftim (5773) – Testing Prophecy
In his enumeration of the various leadership roles within the nation that would take shape after his death, Moses mentions … Read more
Shoftim (5772) – Greatness is Humility
There is a fascinating detail in the passage about the king in this week’s parsha. The text says that “When … Read more
Shoftim (5771) – Power from the outside or self-restraint from within
This summer, we’ve seen riots on the streets of London and Manchester on the one hand, Tripoli on the other. … Read more
Shofetim (5770) – The Consent of the Governed
The contribution of Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, to political thought is fundamental, but not well known. In this study I … Read more
Shoftim (5769) – Testing Prophecy
In his enumeration of the various leadership roles within the nation that would take shape after his death, Moses mentions … Read more
Shoftim (5768) – The Three Crowns
THE SEDRA OF SHOFTIM COMES AS CLOSE AS ANYWHERE IN THE TORAH to articulating a Jewish theory of government. The … Read more