Mirrors and Mentors: A Pause for Self-Reflection (Parsha Power: Shoftim)

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshas Shoftim, the fifth portion in the Book of Deuteronomy, which outlines the establishment of a just society through judges, officers, and the pursuit of righteousness. Rabbi Wolbe begins with Deuteronomy 16:18-20, emphasizing the command to appoint judges and officers at all gates to ensure fair judgment, and the iconic verse “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” (“Justice, justice you shall pursue”), highlighting the need for integrity free from bribery, which can corrupt even the wise and just. He connects the prohibition against planting a tree for idol worship near God’s altar (Deuteronomy 16:21) to the sin of arrogance, which God despises most, as it elevates oneself above others and distorts one’s role as a servant in God’s world. Rabbi Wolbe explains that a king must carry a Torah scroll to remain humble, a reminder for the Jewish people as the chosen nation to uphold higher standards of honesty and responsibility, not arrogance. He shares a story about Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, who, for 14 years, returned Social Security checks sent erroneously due to a mistaken birth date, exemplifying the integrity expected of God’s chosen people. Another story recounts a Russian couple who, unable to access a mikvah, abstained from intimacy for years to adhere to Torah laws, demonstrating profound commitment.

Rabbi Wolbe urges listeners to appoint “judges and officers” in their personal lives by seeking mentors or friends to provide honest feedback, as illustrated by a story of a friend, Dan Coleman, who initially resented a rabbi’s interrogation but later valued it as preparation for divine judgment. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection—looking in the mirror to confront one’s flaws—and seeking external perspectives to overcome personal blind spots, especially during Elul’s introspective period. Rabbi Wolbe concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace vulnerability, accept constructive criticism, and pursue personal growth to align with divine justice, wishing all a meaningful Shabbos.
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This episode (Ep 7.44) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Shoftim is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!

• Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing

Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on August 29, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on August 29, 2025

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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: [email protected]
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Keywords:
#Torah, #Parsha, #Deuteronomy, #Shoftim, #Justice, #Humility, #Integrity

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