In Song: Shoftim
Charles Foster, ‘The City of Refuge.’
Each week The Arty Semite connects the Torah reading — however tenuously — with a classic work of rock ‘n’ roll.
This week’s parsha, Shoftim, deals with the setting up of a legal system, a monarchy (which is optional) and the role of a prophet. Then the laws dealing with murder and manslaughter are reviewed, as well as the laws of warfare.
The parsha ends with an enigmatic command to behead a calf if a human body is found outside a village, as an expression of responsibility on the part of the village elders for the safety of the area.
In direct contrast with the role of the prophet as God’s representative, we are told not to dabble in dark arts such as wizardry or consulting the dead. Astrology also falls into that category, as illustrated by the opening number of the musical “Hair.”
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
