Greetings!

The name of the portion is Shoftim which means Judges. It also has the word Shotrim in the first verse. This word means Police. The verses also has the word Sha'ar and Shevatim which means Gates and Tribes. The usual translation of this verse is "Judges and Officers shall you appoint in all of your cities, which HaShem your God gives you, for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement.". This is somewhat corrupted translation. A more direct translation would be "Judges and Police you will give to yourselves in all your gates, which HaShem your God gives you, to your Tribes, and his sentences of the people will be based on a righteous Law (Mishpat).

One of the Chasidic Rebbe's - The Sfat Emet explains that the Gates are our body senses. He explains that we need to Police and judge what we receive from the illusion known as our physical world. He suggests that the essence of this parasha is to judge ourselves so that we do not have to be judged on Rosh HaShana. This is the essence of Tshuva.

There are 97 verses in this Parasha. The code word given by the sages is Samech Lamed Vav Aleph which means to weigh or evaluate. This is why the last two words of the verse are in the singular. There is only one Law (Mishpat) - Evaluate your actions so that you can be a better person today than you were yesterday. That is the essence of all of our spiritual work. When we strive for and accomplish this spiritual work - the effect is a life with less chaos in it today.

The essence of this Parasha is to evaluate ourselves so that HaShem does not do so. There is an adage that says When we judge other people HaShem judges us. When we judge ourselves HaShem is busy judging other people.

Have a beautiful week filled with much Love for yourself, your family, your neighbors, your friends, your nation, and the world.

The Sephardim start Slichot this week. Why is it called Shichot? Samech Lamed Chet has the numberical value of 98 which is Tzadi Chet. This word means cleansing. It is not saying i am sorry. It is using the order (energy) of the Hebrew Aleph Bet along with the 13 Midot (attributes) of Mercy to cleanse ourselves. To judge our selves, in order to improve ourselves. Do not compare yourself to another person. Only compare yourself to the person you were yesterday. Are you higher than you were last Rosh HaShana? if not, what will you do to change your actions? One day, one hour, one minute at a time.

Kol Tuuv

Shabbat Shalom

Enjoy the Reading!

P. S. I really suggest you read last years email to help you understand this years. The link is on the left near the top. It will help you to understand what is written here.

Shabbat Shalom

Are you interested in learning more Hidden Wisdom? This link will bring you to the mp3 files for the first classes of Spiritual Laws. Feel free to download them, listen to them, and forward the link to your friends and family!

If you are interested in Participating in the class click here to find out how! SPIRITUAL LAWS and How to use them in Your Life!

Kol Tuuv

Shabbat Shalom

chanoch

P. S. It is my intention to automate the return of verses from the Torah based on your name. This will include a full Hebrew and English translation as well as Translations in other Lanuguages. To do this we need significant donations. Please contribute and share in the revelation of light associated with the spreading of this information. Go to www.Paypal.com and click on the send money link. Type in chanoch_7@hotmail.com and give what you can afford or if you want to truly understand Tzedakah more than you think You can afford. HaShem will replace this money 10 fold when you need it.

P.S.S. I am looking for volunteers to translate our recordings into many other languages. Come share in the revelation of wisdom. Use your native language skills. All you need is a cell phone that has unlimited long distance and approx 3 hours a week. Write to chanoch_7@hotmail.com if you are interested. You will be amazed how your life improves by this sharing!

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One of the main purposes of the Mitzvah of Hearing the Torah on Shabbat Morning is to receive the Metaphysical Energy we will need during the next week. Please strive to hear the Torah Reading each week for this benefit.

Kol Tuuv

Chanoch Ben Yaacov
Yeshshem.com