The month of Elul beckons us to craft a plan for realizing the lives we wish to lead in the year ahead. However, this week’s parashah, Shoftim, provides a poignant reminder that this month, as well as the Days of Awe, are concerned not just with our personal spiritual development, but with the development of our communal and governing institutions, as well.
Shoftim contains very specific instructions regarding procedures for how the Israelites are expected to build their civilization. From guidance for judges, rulers, priests, and prophets; to laws regarding cities of refuge, municipal boundaries, and witness testimony; to rules governing the conduct of war and addressing unsolved murders–the Torah articulates specific expectations for the pursuit of justice, governance, and military conflict.
Though Jewish tradition expresses grave concern for our behavior as individuals, our Torah also contains very real expectations for our behavior as members of communities. In fact, the atonement rituals for Yom Kippur that are presented within our Torah bear little significance for the individual. Rather, these rituals are meant to help the Israelite community to begin focusing upon its shortcomings and making amends.1
As such, the t’shuvah we practice throughout Elul, and the Days of Awe, is meant to remind us to thoughtfully consider how we may improve our community’s adherence to the laws and values of our tradition. In what ways have we fallen short as members of our communities? As members of our People? What can we do to help our communities, and our People, face the year ahead with more fidelity to our most deeply held values?
-Rabbi Josh Knobel
1 See Leviticus 16 for much more detail.