Shoftim

Parshat Shoftim - Deut. 16:20 - "Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may live, and inherit the land which the Lord your God gives you."

R. Ashi said. "Justice, justice you shall pursue, the first (mention of justice) refers to a decision based on strict law, the second, to a compromise." (Sanhedrin 32b)

We experience and respond to ourselves, each other, and the broader world based on both the letter and the spirit of the law - from places of both gevurah (strength) and chesed (lovingkindness).  May we know when and how to use both responses as we pursue justice in our lives.

Mattos

Haftorah Mattos: Jeremiah  Ch. 2: 1-3: The first of the three readings of admonition leading up to Tisha B’Av, concludes with the consolation:  “And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying: Thus says the Lord: I remember for you the affection (chesed) of your youth, the love of your espousals; how you went after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown. .  .  .”

May we hear the voice of the Lord, reminding us of the loving kindness within us, giving us the courage to open to the unknown.