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Shoftim (2026)

Shabbat Shoftim

Dvar Torah – Navigating Ambiguity with Wholeness
In this week’s portion the Torah enumerates several ancient practices of witchcraft, fortune-telling, and necromancy, strictly forbidding engagement with them. In ancient (and even modern) societies these practices offered the illusion of clarity and certainty. However, Maimonides famously teaches that the Jewish people are meant to be wiser than this. Having experienced the ultimate truth of hearing the spoken word of G-d, we possess the spiritual and intellectual maturity to see past these superficial superstitions.

This passage concludes with a powerful summarizing directive: Tamim tiheyeh im Hashem Elokecha – "Thou shalt be whole-hearted with the Lord thy G-d." (Deut. 18:13)

The classic commentator, the Ohr Hachaim, notes a double entendre embedded in this verse which serves as both a commandment and a promise. We are instructed to be wholly with Hashem, and conversely when we are with Hashem, we will be whole.

As people we crave clear, definitive answers. Yet the world we encounter both in our personal human experiences as well as in the public arena is ripe with confusion, ambiguity, and lack of clarity. Looking at the world, it’s natural to sometimes ask “Why?”, indeed at times it’s a natural element of the personal theological experience.

Within this ambiguity Hashem wants us to look towards Him for direction rather than chasing superficial and artificial certainty. We’re encouraged to embrace life's inherent confusion by relentlessly looking to Hashem and His Torah for answers. This is a challenging journey, but in doing so we and being wholly with Him we conversely ensure He will be wholly with us.

Shabbat in/out times
Yerushalayim 18:44/20:01
Tel-Aviv 19:04/20:03
Paris 20:50/21:59
NYC 19:37/20:38
Atlanta 20:07/21:03
Toronto 20:04/21:07
San Diego 19:16/20:12

Shabbat Shalom!




 

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