Torah Commentary September 4, 2024

שאלו שלום ירושלים

Judges

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

This week’s parashah is called Shoftim (meaning: Judges). You will find it in the Book of Deuteronomy 16:8-21:9. The word, shoftim has a wider meaning in Hebrew than in English as it can also refer to a political leader, or in this case the word refers to law. Among the topics that the parashah addresses are the administration of law, a citizen’s right of appeal to a higher court, regulations on the stopping of feuds between families or clans, and perhaps the world’s first attempt at creating “moral” rules of war. It also contains the well-known verse: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof/justice, justice you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:11).

We derive much of the theoretical basis for Jewish jurisprudence from this week’s parashah. For example, the parashah gives us the principle that if a civil case has been fairly decided, and there are no more appeals, then the becomes established law. The principle here is that societies need consistency and that at some point there needs to be finality and legal arguments will no longer be entertained.

This text is extremely realistic in its outlook. It understands that without realism there can be no idealism and that societies based on feelings rather than facts eventually become dangerously violent. This parashah teaches us that there will always be those who shall try to subvert the law or manipulate its plain meaning. Is this text a reaction to humanity’s early failures as noted in the Book of Genesis where all too often idealism failed because humanity chose to ignore reality?

This week’s parashah teaches us, as tragically we learned on October 7^th of 2023, that there is evil in the world, and that there are those who lack moral clarity. Its lesson is that to fail to confront evil is evil itself, and to live in a fantasy world and to refuse to face reality is to become allies of those who seek to undermine stability and social norms.

This Biblical text reminds us that humans are by their very nature capable of greatness but also fallible and capable of horrendous deeds. Does not the story of Cain and Abel remind of humanity’s darker side? For this reason, the parashah teaches that societies need laws. Without clear and just laws humanity loses its way and in the end self-destructs. Law then becomes the protective framework of humanity. To be human, to be just a bit below the angels, we need both personal and group structures. Without these structures we risk falling into anarchy and societal chaos.

There is also a positive side of humanity. Just as we are capable of creating horrors, so too are we also capable of greatness and acts of kindness. The Biblical text thus describes humanity as both good and evil, of being capable of descending to deep ethical lows and also climbing to great ethical highs. Is this text teaching us to be both constantly vigilant but also hopeful and to question what we read or hear from an often-dishonest media? What does this passage teach you about goodness and war? These are essential questions as we enter into a new year at a time when the world appears to be in an eclipse of goodness. As we prepare for Rosh Ha’Shanah how do you see 5784 which is about to become part of history and the upcoming year of 5785?

CENTER FOR LATINO JEWISH RELATIONS

PRESENTS

Amazing Mexico City Cultural Tour

Date: November 14 – 18, 2024

BB= Buffet Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

Day 1. Thursday, November 14, 2024 D

Arrival in Mexico City from your local airport.

Transfer to Hotel

We will provide free transportation from the airport to the hotel for those who desire it.

Luxury Passenger Bus leaves airport at 15:00 (3pm)

For tour passengers who arrive later than 14:00 (2pm), so as to get through customs and immigration, you can join the group at the hotel at 17:00 (5pm).

Please note that for those who might be arriving early they can meet up with the group at the Hotel at 17:00 (5pm) check-in

The Camino Real Polanco Mexico, a 5-star hotel in Mexico City’s Polanco business district, has 10 restaurants within its property.

Welcome group dinner and lecture.

Day 2. Friday, November 15, 2024 BB, L, D

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.

Today’s visits include Chapultepec Castle and Anthropology Museum, UNAM’s Centro Cultural and its Tres Culturas Park, and Beth EI Synagogue. Group lunch and time for shopping. Ride through Paseo de la Reforma to admire the Angel of Independence Monument.

Group Shabbat dinner this evening in Polanco.

Day 3. Saturday, November 16, 2024 BB, L, D

Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel.

The group will visit the Zocalo and National Palace (from the outside), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor Archaeology Museum. Visit the Museum of Memory and Tolerance and Bellas Artes Concert Hall and Alameda Park.

Group lunch in historic downtown Mexico City.

Group dinner at the hotel.

Day 4. Sunday, November 17, 2024 BB, L, D

Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel

Today the group will visit Synagogue Nidje Israel (1941-1970s), a historic synagogue built by Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jews who came to Mexico in 1930.

Visit the Israeli Sports Complex and Museo Soumaya.

Group lunch in Polanco.

Afternoon at leisure.

Farewell group dinner at the hotel.

Day 5. Monday, November 18, 2024. BB

Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel

Morning shopping at Mercado del la Ciudadela.

For those desiring our complementary group transfer to the airport we plan on an airport arrival at 13:00 (1pm) so as to give everyone time for check in, security and immigration.

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances and unexpected situations such as traffic and weather.

Included in the price of the tour:

1- Four nights at the 5-star Camino Real Hotel Polanco

2- Hotel staff tips

3- Tips for group baggage handling at the airport

4- Four breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners with tax and tips

5- Admissions to the museums mentioned in the itinerary

6- Luxury Bus with 46 seats

7- English speaking guide

Not included in the price of the tour:

1- Transportation to/from Mexico City

2- Tips for bus driver and tour guide

Price per person:

Single Occupancy: $1,749

Double Occupancy: $1,359

Full payment is due by September 30, 2024

The tour needs a minimum of 14 participants and is limited to no more than 20.

For additional information please contact Dr. Peter Tarlow at 979-219-0209, ptarlow@latino-jewish-relations.org

or Nydia Tapia-Gonzales at 956-202-1392. ntapiagonzales@gmail.com

Mexico City Itinerary

YouTubes for the week

High Holiday Music

From New York

From Jerusalem

From Mexico City

Please pray for Israel’s soldiers and the safe return of all of the remaining hostages.