Summary of the Parasha
“Appoint judges (shoftim) and officers in all your gates”, who will judge righteously, without favoritism and without bribes, for “a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise”. “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof”, justice, justice you shall pursue. It is forbidden to plant a sacred tree (asherah) by the altar, to set up a pillar, or to offer a blemished animal. An idolater is judged on the testimony of two witnesses. For difficult cases one goes up to the supreme court at the chosen place and does not depart from its ruling “to the right or to the left”.
The law of the king: Israel may set a king over itself, chosen by God, from among its brothers; he must not have too many horses, wives or gold, and he writes a Torah scroll that he reads every day. Abarbanel, himself a minister of kings, saw this law as a permission granted reluctantly rather than an ideal. Then the gifts to the Kohanim and the Levites (the shoulder, the jaw, the stomach, the first of the grain, wine, oil and shearing).
The prohibition of divination, sorcery and consulting the dead: “You shall be wholehearted (tamim) with Hashem your God”. God will raise up a prophet like Moses, who must be heeded; a false prophet is recognized when his prediction does not come true. The cities of refuge for accidental killing, and strictness toward the deliberate murderer. The prohibition of moving your neighbor’s boundary (hasagat gevul). The law of witnesses: never a single witness, and false witnesses receive the punishment they intended for another.
The laws of war: the Kohen anointed for war encourages the people (“Hear, O Israel, do not be afraid”); sent home are the one who built a house, planted a vineyard or became betrothed without yet enjoying them, and “the one who is afraid”, lest he discourage his brothers. Peace is offered to a city first. Fruit trees are not destroyed: “Is the tree of the field a man?” Finally, the eglah arufah: when a body is found in a field and the killer is unknown, the elders of the nearest city wash their hands and declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood”.
Summary of the Haftara
“Anochi Anochi Hu Menachemchem” (“It is I, I who comfort you”)
Text in Isaiah 51:12–52:12
The fourth haftara of consolation. After Israel’s laments, it is God Himself who comforts: “It is I, I who comfort you. Who are you to fear mortal man?” He calls Jerusalem: “Awake, awake, rise up, Jerusalem, you who drank the cup of His wrath”, “shake off the dust, put on your garments of glory” (verses taken into Lecha Dodi). “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who says to Zion: your God reigns”. The return will come without haste, “for Hashem goes before you”.
Parasha-Haftara Connection
The parasha describes Israel’s leaders, judges, kings, Kohanim and prophets; the haftara announces the day when God Himself will be the comforter and the king: “Your God reigns”. Both speak of the prophet who brings God’s word to the people, and of the messenger of peace who announces redemption.