פרשת שופטים – August 21-22, 2020

August 21, 2020

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Times listed are for the Greater Washington D.C. Area.

Candle lighting:         7:36 pm
Shabbat ends:           8:35 pm

Hearing the Shofar each day of Elul is a Minhag designed to remind us that the King is coming to visit soon! 

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Family Learning

1. The תורה tells us that we need both שופטים and שטרים in each city. What is the difference between these 2 jobs? (רש”י טז:יח)
2. In what manner should the judges judge the people (טז:כ)
3. Once establishing a homeland, who should be appointed to lead? (יז:יד-טו)
4. Why should a king not have too many horses? (יז:טו)
5. What must a king write and keep close to them at all times? (יז:יח)
6. Since the כהנים and לויים do not have land ארץ ישראל, what are the people required to give them (יח:א-יד)
7. What mitzvah is there regarding the border of one’s property? (יט:יד)
8. How many witnesses are needed in a Jewish court case to uphold any testimony? (יט:טו)

Bonus Question:

1. The תורה tells us תָּמִים תִּהְיֶה עִם ה’ אֱלֹקיךָ. What are the 2 ways to translate the word תָּמִים and how does each apply to you? (יח:יג)
2. What are we עדים זוממים? What happens to them?

Discussion Question:

The beginning of Parshat Shoftim is all about establishing a legal system and a government. The wise King Shlomo connected these Mitzvot to the Pasuk in Mishlei (3:17) “His ways are ways of pleasantries and pathways are peaceful”. What is the connection between government and being peaceful? Additionally, when teaching the Mitzvah of going to a court, the Torah says צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף, using the word צֶדֶק (justice) twice. We know that the Torah never uses words for no reason and is never redundant. No one would willingly go to an unjust court. Why use the words צֶדֶק twice? What is the hidden message?   

Additional FUN resources on the Parsha including videos, coloring sheets and much more!

https://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/610813/jewish/Shoftim.htm

This Week’s Comic

Every week, we will be sending a Parsha comic from cartoonist, Andrew Galitzer. If you would like to sponsor a future comic for $18, Andrew will donate half to Berman Hebrew Academy. Please let us know.

You can print the coloring sheet and fill in Andrew’s comic, or you can add your own words!