Let's learn some Torah with Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City! Welcome back and a reminder that Erv Rosh Hashanah services will be held on Sunday the 25th of September starting at 7:00PM and then we will gather back at the shul for services on Monday the 26th starting at 10:00AM. Finally, just so you have it down, Erv Yom Kippur services will be at 7:00PM on Tuesday, October 4 and morning services starting at 10:00AM on Wednesday, October 5th. See you in shul...
The Rule of Law
This week we read Parsha Shoftim (Deut. 16:18 - 21:9). The word Shoftim means "judges" as we read, "Judges and officers shall you appoint in all your cities...and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement." What a timely reminder that no one is above the law. If we read on we learn that, "You shall not pervert judgement..." We are warned about disrespecting the law and against taking bribes. Oh...how very timely.
We are told that respecting the law of the land is critical. That if there is a breakdown in that respect the downfall of the nation is not far behind. In other words, friends, we need to pay attention and be mindful of the law because that brings order. When we give immunity to some it has the impact to sow distrust among the others.
The King Issue
Now we get to an interesting section where Moses tells the people that they must say, "I shall set a king over myself..." And, "You shall surely set over yourself a king, whom Hashem your G-d shall choose..." (Deut. 17: 14-15). So, if it is a mitzvah (commandment) to have a king why did Samuel rebuke the people for requesting a king? (1 Samuel 8:5)
The commentaries have given a number of answers to this question. Perhaps the most satisfying is that of the Klei Yakar, who directs our attention to a subtle nuance in the verses of Deuteronomy and Samuel.
It is a mitzvah to appoint a king when the intention is, “I will set a king over myself,” i.e., when one is willing to subordinate oneself to the king's rule and accept his authority. Close attention to the request of the Israelites of the Prophet Samuel show that they requested, “Give unto us a king,” not a king over us whom we will obey, but rather a king unto us who will cater to our wishes. It was this request that angered the prophet.
Leading or Following
Here is an interesting take by Rabbi Twerski z"l: "A term frequently used to refer to a rabbi is “spiritual leader.” However, and not infrequently, the rabbi is a spiritual follower rather than leader."
Rabbi Yisroel of Salant commented on the Talmud that describes the sorry state of affairs that will prevail before the Ultimate Redemption, among them, “the face, i.e., the leaders, of the generation will be similar to dogs” (Sanhedrin 97a). He said that a dog often runs ahead of its master, but then looks back to see whether the master has turned the corner. If he sees that the master has veered off in another direction, he runs back to follow him.
“That is how the leaders will be before the Ultimate Redemption,” Rabbi Yisroel said. “They may give the appearance of leading the community, but like a dog watching its master, they turn around to see which way the community is heading, and they follow them.”
The bottom line is this: We must accept authentic leadership and defer to authority, rather than expect the leaders to follow us. Mob rule is never a good thing.
Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom!
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