No one is above the law

 Shoftim

Deut. 16:18-21:9

 

Précis: The parasha Shoftim (literally, “judges”) is devoted primarily to various themes of justice, and includes warnings against false testimony, idol worship, and the dangers posed by mortal kings. The parasha also warns the people against false prophets, magicians, soothsayers and witches. It establishes requirements for cities of refuge in the Promised Land. In short, the parasha is devoted to ways to create a just society in the Land of Israel.

 

Deut. 17:18 “When he (the king) is seated on his royal throne, he shall have a copy of this Teaching written on a scroll by the Levitical priests. Let it remain with him and let him read it all his life…”

            This is an essential proof text for the concept that no one – king or President – is above the law. This verse tells us that the leader is to be guided by the law, and is emphasized later on in the reading by the fact that the king is supposed to write his own copy of the scroll.

            The Supreme Court of the United States, in Trump. vs United States, issued its decision in July. Some believe that it relieves a President of the United States from prosecution for crimes he (or she) commits during the term of office. How far this “immunity” extends is a matter which may or may not be clarified in the months and years to come.

            It is, however, troubling to consider that a President who unilaterally orders the internment of immigrants (let alone their expulsion from the country), or who has his political opponents jailed, or accepts bribes from foreign sources, would be immune from legal sanction. In a society divided as we are politically, impeachment seems impossible. After all, if a President who was impeached for incitement of an attack on the Congress as it went about declaring the winner of the 2020 election could not be sustained, what is left to us? That same man once said he could “get away with shooting somebody on 5^th Avenue.” Impossible?

            Pray for justice. Pray for the rule of law.

Doing the next thing right

 Re’eh

Deut. 11:26 - 16:17

 

Précis: Moses begins by quoting God, saying “Behold (re’eh), I set before you a blessing and a curse this day.” The blessing flows from observance of the laws and the curses result from violations. A concern with idolatry permeates the following verses. The parasha explains that there will be a single site for sacrifices. A test for a false prophet and the punishment of an idolatrous city are included. The parasha then shifts to other subjects: a prohibition against self-mutilation, the biblical basis of the laws of kashrut, tithing so that the needs are met for the Levites, the "stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.” Remission of debts, freeing of Hebrew slaves, and the dedication of firstborn cattle are discussed, as are the commandments for the observance of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

 

Deut. 11:26–28 “Behold I set before you a blessing and a curse this day; a blessing if you obey the commandment…and a curse, if you will not obey the commandments…”

            As I’ve noted before, this verse has been understood to be a kind of “prime directive” for Judaism: we have the free will to do right or wrong.          

            In my studies, I sometimes find guidance in an unexpected place. One example was an essay by Jim VandeHei (Axios Finish Line, 10/16/22) in which he recounts an experience he had in his church, sitting in a pew while being aggravated about work matters. His preacher began to talk about how one can choose to always do the right thing, a question often asked by his young students. The preacher “offered nine words of wisdom that guided me through that problem — and shape how I try to live today: ‘All you can do is the next right thing.’”

            It is overwhelming to commit to always doing the right thing. But if we focus on the next thing, it’s doable. It’s also clarifying: We do have a choice in every tough situation, even when we feel wronged.

            VandeHei suggests that this concept is also “life-enhancing.”  Just as the Jewish tradition suggests that one mitzvah leads to another, he suggests that “You can create a healthy habit of making good decisions if you stack small hard but good decisions on top of each other.”

            In the chaos that is life, doing the next thing the right way can be comforting to ourselves and to others.