Parsha Q&A - Shoftim « Ohr Somayach

Parshas Shoftim

For the week ending 2 Elul 5759; 13 & 14 August 1999

Contents:

Parsha Questions

Kasha

I Did Not Know That!

Parsha Questions

Answers | Contents

What is the role of shoftim? What is the role of shotrim?
What qualifications should one look for when appointing a judge?
May a judge accept a bribe if only for the purpose of judging fairly?
What is the source for the concept "seek out a good beit din"?
Although the avot built matzevot, the Torah later forbade doing so. Why?
"You will come to...the judge who will be in those days." It's impossible to visit a judge living at a different time, so why must the Torah add these apparently extra words?
What does Hashem promise a king who doesn't amass much gold, doesn't raise many horses and doesn't marry many wives?
How many Torah scrolls must the king have?
How was King Shaul punished for disobeying a minor command of the Prophet Shmuel?
Certain kosher animals are not included in the law of "chazeh, shok, and keiva." Which ones?
Families of kohanim served in the Beit Hamikdash on a rotational basis. When was this rotation system implemented?
Which three categories of false prophets are executed?
What does it mean to "prepare the way" to the cities of refuge?
How many witnesses are meant when the Torah writes the word eid (witness)?
"Through the mouth of two witnesses...." What types of testimony does this verse invalidate?
If witnesses in a capital case are proven to be zomemim (false-conspirators) before their intended victim is executed, how are they punished?
Why does the section about going to war follow the laws governing witnesses?
The Jewish army is warned of four "scare-tactics" the enemy might employ. What are they?
When a murder victim is found in a field, who determines which city is closest?
What happens if the murderer is found after the calf's neck was broken?

Kasha

(kasha means "question")

How would you answer this question on the Parsha?

"Do not take a bribe, because bribery blinds the eyes of the wise…" (19:19).

In this week's Parsha the Torah says that bribery blinds the "chachamim" - "wise people." Earlier (Exodus 23:8) the Torah says bribery blinds the "pikchim" - "open-eyed people." Why does the Torah use these two different expressions, chachamim and pikchim, to describe judges?

ANSWER

A judge in a Torah court must be wise in two areas. First, he must be expert in all areas of Torah law. Such people are "chachamim" - "wise." Second, he must be well-versed in worldly matters so he can properly interrogate the litigants and see if they are trying to fool him. To do this, he has to know "every trick in the book." Such people are "pikchim" - "open-eyed."

(Vilna Gaon in Aderet Eliyahu)

I Did Not Know That!

The Jewish king is commanded not to marry many wives, not to have many horses, and not to hoard silver and gold. If he obeys, the Torah promises that he and his offspring will sit firmly on the "kiseh".

The three letters of the word kiseh (throne) hint to these three commandments. Kiseh is spelled kaf samech alef. Kaf stands for kesef (silver), samech stands for soos (horse) and aleph stands for isha (wife).

(Deuteronomy 16-18, Rashi, Kli Yakar)

Answers to this Week's Questions

Questions | Contents

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

What is the role of shoftim? What is the role of shotrim?
16:18 - Shoftim are judges who pronounce judgment. Shotrim are officers who enforce it.
What qualifications should one look for when appointing a judge?
16:18 - That he is expert in the law and that he is righteous.
May a judge accept a bribe if only for the purpose of judging fairly?
16:19 - No, because it will sway his judgment.
What is the source for the concept "seek out a good beit din"?
16:20 - "Tzedek tzedek tirdof...."
Although the avot built matzevot, the Torah later forbade doing so. Why?
16:22 - Because the Canaanites used them for idolatry.
"You will come to...the judge who will be in those days." It's impossible to visit a judge living at a different time, so why must the Torah add these apparently extra words?
17:9 - To teach that although a judge may not be as eminent as judges of previous generations, we must obey him nevertheless.
What does Hashem promise a king who doesn't amass much gold, doesn't raise many horses and doesn't marry many wives?
17:18 - That his kingdom will endure.
How many Torah scrolls must the king have?
17:18 - Two. One stays in his treasury and one he keeps with him.
How was King Shaul punished for disobeying a minor command of the Prophet Shmuel?
17:20 - He lost his kingship.
Certain kosher animals are not included in the law of "chazeh, shok, and keiva." Which ones?
18:3 - Chayot (non-domestic-type animals).
Families of kohanim served in the Beit Hamikdash on a rotational basis. When was this rotation system implemented?
18:8 - During the time of David and Shmuel.
Which three categories of false prophets are executed?
18:20 - One who prophesies something he didn't hear, something told to another prophet, or prophecies in the name of an idol.
What does it mean to "prepare the way" to the cities of refuge?
19:3 - To post direction signs saying "refuge" at the crossroads.
How many witnesses are meant when the Torah writes the word eid (witness)?
19:15 - Two, unless otherwise specified.
"Through the mouth of two witnesses...." What types of testimony does this verse invalidate?
19:15 - Written testimony and testimony translated from a language which the judges don't understand.
If witnesses in a capital case are proven to be zomemim (false-conspirators) before their intended victim is executed, how are they punished?
19:19 - They are put to death.
Why does the section about going to war follow the laws governing witnesses?
20:1 - To teach that if the Jewish People execute fair judgment they will be victorious in war.
The Jewish army is warned of four "scare-tactics" the enemy might employ. What are they?
20:3 - 1) Clanging their shields; 2) Making their horses stomp and whinny; 3) Shouting; 4) Blowing horns.
When a murder victim is found in a field, who determines which city is closest?
21:2 - The Sanhedrin.
What happens if the murderer is found after the calf's neck was broken?
21:9 - He is tried and, if guilty, executed.

Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Eli Ballon

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Parsha Q&A - Shoftim

Parshas Shoftim

Parsha Questions

Kasha

(kasha means "question")

I Did Not Know That!

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Answers to this Week's Questions