Parashat Shoftim
Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
Topics in this week's portion include: Judges and Justice, 'Sacred Trees and Pillars,' Blemished Sacrifice, Penalties for Idolatry, The Supreme Court, The King, Levitical Priests, Priestly Portions, Special Service, Divination and Prophecy, Cities of Refuge, Murder, Preserving Boundaries, Conspiring Witnesses, Preparing for War, Taking Captives, Conducting a Siege and the Case of the Unsolved Murder.
This week we have the famous admonition: 'Righteousness, Righteousness shall you pursue, so that you will live and possess the Land that the Almighty your God, gives you' (Deut. 16:20).