Tomorrow in synagogues worldwide the Torah potion of Shoftim (Judges) will be read. The portion opens with the following words from Deuteronomy, Chapter 16:

18…You must appoint judges and sheriffs for yourselves in all your cities that God, your God, is giving you, for each of your tribes. They must judge the people by rendering fair judgments.

19…You must not pervert justice. You must not show partiality. You must not accept a bribe, for bribery blinds the eyes of the sages and perverts the just words of the Torah.

20…Justice, Justice shall you pursue, in order that you live and take possession of the land that God, your God, is giving you.

74 days from elections here in Israel it is fitting that we read these words which can actually act as a guide to all of us as we evaluate the various candidates seeking to lead this country’s government.

The underlying principle contained in the admonitions of this chapter are not only to pursue justice in all its ramifications, but also to understand that in order not to show partiality and to render fair judgements, everyone needs to realize that even in the justice system, as in life........

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