Shoftim - September 5, 2024

This evening we discuss why, in Jewish Law, there are so many judges relative to the population, at least one judge per 10 people. Based on Rabbi Yochanan Zweig and Rabb Yerucham Levovitz, we understand the primary role of judges is for their sterling character to act as role models to influence and improve society, even before they step into the courtroom. We derive an important lesson from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev on how to receive the judgement we want from God on Rosh Hashana, demonstrated by a great story from Rabbi Meilech Biderman about a rabbi who reads upside down. And from Rabbi Henoch Singer we analyze a technical detail in diverging sets of witnesses in a criminal trial, and how judges should respond when they have been fooled. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman (rabbi@adath.ca) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.