Parashat Shoftim What famous 2009 Coen Brothers movie opens with a quotation from Rashi to this week’s Torah portion? Deuteronomy 18:13 says, “You shall be whole-hearted with the Lord your God.” The word for whole-hearted (Tamim) is difficult to translate, and basically means “pure.” “You shall be pure before the Lord your God.” To this Rashi comments: "Be pure with the LORD your God." Walk with God in purity (t’mimut) and look only to God. Do not look to future events; rather, accept with equanimity whatever God brings you - in order to be "with" God and with God's portion. At the end of the opening scenes in the Coen Brothers' movie, A Serious Man, the first part of Rashi's commentary appears on the screen. "Walk with purity..." But what does it mean? Well, honestly, it's up to your interpretation. But here's what I think. The parashah contains all kinds of ways for us to stray from God's ideal life. This particular section talks about not getting involved with spirits, like ghosts, which is the reason the Coens included it in their film. With all of the detail in biblical law, and some contradictions, how do we know that we are headed in the right direction? Besides the specific laws, there are also some general principles in the Torah, for example: • Do not hate your brother/sister in your heart • Love your neighbor as yourself • Do what is good and right in the eyes of God • All humanity is created in God's image • You shall pursue justice • Be pure and walk with your God Sometimes our decisions are a matter of contrasting the spirit of the Torah with the letter of the Torah. Sometimes the Torah tells us to admonish a person who behaves badly, but often love is a more potent change agent than criticism. The Torah sometimes may seem to demand justice, but mercy may be the better response. Sometimes we give forgiveness when forgiveness is not deserved, just out of kindness. And, in truth, sometimes, to help a person improve, mercy should be shunned in favor of justice, for the long term benefit of the person involved. How do we know which principle to observe? Use the general principles as your guide. If I do this, am I demonstrating "Love your neighbor?" By doing this, am I acting according to "Do not hate your sister in your heart?" If I act this way, am I walking with God? The general principles are meant to be correctives, to show a general direction by which to guide our actions in specific situations. And besides, it's fun knowing where the Coens got their quotation. Shabbat shalom.