Police Yourself - Shoftim 5785

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“You must appoint judges and sheriffs for yourselves in all your cities...” (Devarim 16:18).  These are the opening words of this week’s Parsha, Shoftim.  The simple meaning of course is that in the land of Israel, courts should be set up in every city, with officers or “sheriffs” to enforce the laws and the courts’ rulings. But “cities” is a loose translation of the text.  

The actual Hebrew word the Torah uses for “cities” is “She’arecha” which means “your gates.”  Also it is written in the singular, not plural: “Titen lecha,” (not titnu lachem) appoint (or place) for you - singular, in all your - singular - gates.  (The plural of gates would be Sha’areichem”)  So the verse can be read as: Set up for yourself judges and officers at all your personal gates.


In an address to children in 1985, the Rebbe commented on the verse and this interpretation.  It is possible that a person might think that if we can get away with doing the wrong thing and nobody is watching, we could follow the influences of our Yetzer Hara - the inclination that leads us astray from Hashem’s path.  Therefore the Torah tells us to set up “judges” for ourselves, to carefully examine what is the right path.  And when we feel the pressure to do the wrong thing, to use “officers” - internal strength to push away the negative tendencies and keep us doing what is right.


This lesson, of course, applies to adults as well as kids.  “Gates” in this context are our gateways to the world.  Our eyes, ears, nose, mouth and intimate organs.  The Torah tells us to judge and control what we hear, to make sure it is not gossip or negative talk, etc.  To control what we look at, to make sure it is not inappropriate.  To be careful what we smell, avoiding forbidden smells, for example incense burned as part of idolatrous Eastern practices.  To watch what we say, avoid Lashon Hara, not to curse, etc.  Also to be careful what we put into our mouths, to be sure everything we eat and drink is kosher.  And to ensure that all our intimate relationships are within a kosher marriage and following the laws of Family Purity.


It is especially appropriate that we read this in the month of Elul, the time of personal accounting in preparation for the New Year.  This is the best time to judge how we are interacting with the world and with others, and to work to fix whatever is unguarded.  


The prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) said, referring to the time of redemption through Moshiach, (Yeshayahu 1:26): “I will restore your judges as at first and your counselors as in the beginning; afterwards you shall be called City of Righteousness, Faithful City.”  It is interesting that he does not say "sheriffs" or officers.  He instead says “counselors.”  This is because when Moshiach comes there will be no evil in the world and no negative inclinations.  As Rambam writes (Mishneh Torah Kings 12:5):  “In that era, there will be neither famine or war, envy or competition for good will flow in abundance and all the delights will be freely available as dust. The occupation of the entire world will be solely to know G-d.”  We will only need counselors to guide us and teach us how to achieve this goal.  May it happen immediately.  


I wish you a good and sweet New Year.

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