Dvar Torah for Parshat Shoftim

Based on Likutey Moharan I, #56

"When you come to the land that God your Lord is giving you... You must appoint the king whom God your Lord will choose... When [the king's] throne is secure he must write a Torah scroll... and keep it with him always. He shall kara bo (read, call) from it, all the days of his life and learn to be in awe of God and carefully keep every word of this Torah... He will then not begin to feel superior to his brethren... He and his descendants will thus have a long reign in Israel."
(Deuteronomy 17:14-20)

One hears, on occasion, the anti-Semitic canard that the Torah is not relevant nowadays, that its mitzvot and messages are not applicable in our day and age. And it would be appear, at first glance, that this week's parsha provides some basis for this slur, since there hasn't been a king of Israel for over 2,000 years! Or does it? Reb Noson writes, "the Torah is for everyone, at all times and in all places!" (Yemei Moharnat II, #31). So let's take a second look.

Rebbe Nachman teaches that each person has some degree of Malkhut, literally, kingship, or authority. Some bear the mantle of authority at home, some in the work place, some in the classroom and some in the playground.

(To better understand this, the Holy Ari (Rabbi Yitzchok Luria) teaches that there is a "tree of souls." Each person, depending upon his position in the tree, has souls dependent upon (and therefore, "beneath") him. For example, a certain tzaddik may be a main limb of this tree, with several smaller limbs extending from him. These smaller limbs have branches extending from them, which further extend into twigs, leaves, etc. The same is with each soul. As the person grows, his Malkhut grows with him and other souls become dependent upon him.)

Rebbe Nachman goes on to say that one must be very careful to never use his/her Malkhut for his own personal benefit. The Talmud teaches, "Power buries its possessor" (Berakhot 55a). Instead, one in charge must see that his Malkhut is "free" - unshackled to his base whims and desires - and used solely for God's sake. That is, one must use the Malkhut that s/he has over others to guide and direct them to serve God and not to satisfy his own wants.

God told the prophet Yechezkel, "You are a watchman for the people" (cf. Ezekiel 3:17). The people of the city are under the care of the watchman. It is his job to warn them of impending danger. If he does not, he bears the responsibility for their losses. So, too, Yechezkel was to advise them to repent and if not, he would assume full responsibility for their sins. Any one of us, if s/he does not use his Malkhut responsibly, is liable for the sins committed by those under his authority. This is why "power buries its possessor." However, if he fulfills his obligation and advises them, he is absolved of their sins. Thus, a person's obligation to use his Malkhut means advising those under his influence to repent and return to God.

How is it possible for a person to reach and influence everyone, all the souls dependent upon him? In what manner is he to do this? How can he even know them, what they need, in order to be able to influence them?! What can a person do to exert his influence properly, to use his Malkhut in a manner that it will not "bury its possessor?"

Rebbe Nachman gives us the answer: we must study Torah to the extent that we can. The Torah itself screams out to mankind: "Fools! How long will you be in love with foolishness" (Proverbs 1:22)?! When we study, the call of the Torah is intensified. Those who are our responsibility then hear the Torah's call, wherever they may be. They begin to study the Torah they need and to derive from it the lessons they must learn.

Our same Torah study saves us from being buried by our power by giving us longevity. How so? God and the Torah are one. When you study Torah you are in effect calling God. And God lives forever. The more Torah you study, the more you draw and reveal Godliness throughout the world and the more longevity you add to your life.

Rebbe Nachman then explains why the king in particular is commanded to study Torah. "When his throne is secure he must write a Torah scroll... He shall kara bo (read, call) from it, all the days of his life...." Who embodies Malkhut more than a melekh (king)?! In order to influence those under his dominion, he must "read the Torah" - he must call out to God to draw him close; "all the days" - the eternity of God, the ultimate in longevity. By investing himself with Godliness, the king is able to radiate the Torah's lessons and God's longevity to the people of his kingdom.

The same is true of every one of us. The more you call God's Name by studying Torah, whether individually or with others, the more you reveal Godliness in the world, and the greater opportunity mankind has to experience God.

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!