Food Tourah: Shoftim

August 26, 2025 in Food Tourah

Because life so often happens around food, we’re spending the year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat menu. This week we have the Torah’s 48th parsha, 6 more to go!  

Two verses into this week’s portion we encounter the famous phrase, “Justice, justice, shall you pursue” (16:20), because Shoftim (judges) is all about the structure of a just society.  Rules are given for judges and officers of the court.  All should act without taking bribes or showing favoritism.  Kings may be appointed, but only from within the Israelite people and they should not try to amass wealth.  Levites will live off of the offerings of the people bringing sacrifices.  True prophets will rise, but the Israelites should vigilantly guard against following false or idolatrous prophets.

Those who commit crimes should be punished and measures should be taken not to prosecute innocent people. A minimum of two witnesses are required before convicting someone of a crime.  If someone causes another’s death accidently, they should be allowed into a city of refuge so that vigilante justice will not be enacted.  If a dead body is found lying in a field and no one knows how the death was caused, the priests hold a special ceremonial ritual to absolve the innocent of any guilt in the death.  

Shoftim explains how to justly conduct a war.  Peace should be offered first and fruit trees should not be destroyed.  There are men of fighting age who are exempt from battle if they have built a home but not dedicated it, planted a vineyard but not harvested its fruit, or married a woman but not “taken” her.  Also a man who is “afraid and soft-hearted” (20:8) is freed from battle so his cowardice will not affect the troops.  It is impossible to read the biblical rules of engagement in Deuteronomy 20 and 21 without reflecting on aspects of the current war, but here our commentary is reserved for food. 

These two meat (Lemony Braised Lamb Shank and Spring Vegetables) and vegetarian (Barley and Root Vegetable Rainbow Stew) stews reflect humility and simplicity that are supposed to be evidenced in the leadership of the Israelites.  They both use root vegetables, which show groundedness, and do not use overly rich favors.  As a side dish, the flavors in this Quinoa Salad reflect the balanced scales of justice with an even mix of fairness.  The wrapped aspect of Stuffed Grape Leaves, which can be done vegetarian or with meat, show how compassion is wrapped around justice.  You can make them yourself or they are easy to purchase pre-made. For dessert, I love the idea of a Layered Parfait.  It’s easy to make it non-dairy with a non-dairy yogurt.  The two layers can symbolize the two witnesses needed on fair trials and the transparency of the glass can show that nothing is hidden with due process and fair trial.

B’tayavon and Shabbat Shalom,
Alison (Baraf) & Sarah (Roark)

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For a more in-depth look at this week’s parsha, visit Sefaria.com.