Parshas Shoftim (5760)

Bs”d

Parshas Shoftim (5760)
by Mordechai Dolinsky

The parsha opens: “Shoftim V’shotrim Titen Lecha” and Rashi explains those who pass judgement and those impose authority with a ‘stick and a strap’. There is an aspect of our sedra that can have a strong and important impact on our Elul program of spiritual growth. There are two mechanisms that move people. There is an internal motivation where a person is inspired from within and external factors that play a role in guiding a person on the right path. Each has its place and role in our spiritual functioning and success. The concept of Shoftim and Shotrim is obviously symbolic for the latter, outside motivation, which can be seen as manifested in the following.

Elul has arrived, and we yearn to be connected and for some kind of fulfillment. The focus of our greatest concern is or should be our spiritual welfare, with special focus on our vulnerability to fall into the hands of the yetzer harah and sin chas v’shalom. As a result many of us fall into devastating guilt trips and cry out for Divine assistance. There is a vital aspect of these nisyonos that is important to point out. The usual understanding of dealing with these tests are determined by our ability to harness our store-house of yiras shamayim and the strength of our commitment to fulfill the Ratzon HaShem. Any failure to live up to what is expected of us is attributed to falling short in self-control and yiras shamayim; and indeed often it is. However, a lot of our ‘yeridos’ are in the realm of how we would look upon the following scenario. Someone with a drinking problem that uses a wine storage as a sleeping facility. This example is just symbolic of countless similar situations. After having indulged in some alcoholic beverage that is surrounding him he comes down upon himself very firmly for giving in to his lusts and is off to a self-destructive guilt trip. Then he cries out to Hashem for special Divine support to help him overcome his temptation. What do we have to say to this poor fellow? “CLEAR OUT OF THAT WINE CELLAR!!!”

The Gemara describes an individual who passes through an immodest location and exhibits self-control and doesn’t look. Instead of deserving praise the Chazal are quite sharp in criticizing him for allowing himself to be in a location of temptation. Even if he had the confidence of self-control and he was indeed successful—“WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE WINE CELLAR?!!”.

So often we yearn to overcome difficult trials pertaining to “bain adam laMakom:” or “bian adam lechavero” and we continue to plant ourselves on the battlefield grounds. Our first move for tshuva and self-improvement in Elul is to examine and evaluate this most important factor. “Shoftim V’Shotrim”— external motivations—one must remove himself from the situation of nisayon.

Best wishes for a successful Elul that should lead to a Shana Tova U’Mesuka for us and all Klal Yisroel.