Shoftim – Social Responsibility
At the conclusion of this week's Torah portion, Shoftim (Judges), the Torah introduces the Jewish commandment of the Broken-necked Heifer. When a murdered person is found lying in an open field and the identity of the killer remains unknown, the leaders and judges of the nearest town must perform a public ritual. They lead a young heifer to a valley and declare: "Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see."
This act serves as an atonement and brings urgent public attention to the unsolved crime, ensuring justice is pursued. At first glance, this raises an obvious question: Why should the town elders and judges have an atonement for a murder committed in secret? The killer alone committed the heinous crime and deserves full punishment. What does the local court of justice have to do with a violent act that happened out in…
Thank you Rabbi for your thoughts on this topic of social responsibility and justice.
Would I be right in assuming that in the future world to come under the guidance of the Messiach where knowledge of the Most High will will be abundant that the present Laws governing how murder and those accused of it will no longer be valid?
Habakkuk 2:14