Parashat Shoftim - Second Aliyah

A monarchy under limits: the Torah acknowledges the human request, “asimah alai melech kechol hagoyim” (let me set a king over me like all the nations, 17:14), but it establishes a kingship framed by law, not unchecked dominion.

1) Who is fit to reign

“Som tasim alecha melech asher yivchar Adonai Elohecha bo” (you shall surely set over you a king whom Adonai your God will choose, 17:15), and on the other side “lo tuchal latet alecha ish nochri” (you may not set a foreigner over you, 17:15). Authority yes, foreignness and estrangement no. The leader must be rooted within the people and its values.

2) Three brakes on power

The king is restricted in three central areas:

• Military power: “lo yarbeh lo susim” (he shall not multiply horses for himself), and later in the verse “lo tosifun lashuv baderech hazeh” (you shall not return that way again, 17:16). Force and army must not become an ideology that returns you to dependence on Egypt.

• The power of desire: “Velo yarbeh lo nashim” (nor shall he multiply wives for himself, 17:17), so that the heart is not dragged after pride and craving.

• The power of money: “vekhesef vezahav lo yarbeh lo me’od” (nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself, 17:17). Wealth does not define leadership.

3) The one positive obligation: a book on the table

When he takes his seat on the throne he begins to write: “vechatav lo et mishneh haTorah” (he shall write for himself a copy of this Torah, 17:18). Advisers are not enough. There is a living book: “Vehayetah imo vekara vo kol yemei chayav” (it shall be with him and he shall read in it all the days of his life, 17:19). The Torah is a daily guide that orients leadership toward reverence, toward keeping the law, and toward action.

4) What comes of it

The purpose of the restrictions and of the book: “Levilti rum levavo me’echav ulvilti sur min hamitzvah yamin usmol” (that his heart not be lifted above his brothers, and that he not turn from the commandment right or left, 17:20). Leadership is measured by humility, by equality before the law, and by broad steadfastness. Not right, not left, a straight line of commandment.

Great leadership begins with inner brakes and with an open text before the eyes. Even someone who is not a king can set a fixed book for himself, a principle against which power, desire and money are examined, so that his heart is not lifted up.