Wandering Through the Moves

I arrived in Cincinnati late Tuesday night and completed my Ph.D. orientation this week. Last week I missed commenting on Parashat Re’ei, and this week we’re on to Parashat Shoftim! It’s fitting that G!d is speaking to the Israelites in this portion about setting up rule in their new land. Moving is hard – physically tiring, spiritually draining, mentally and emotionally confusing, sometimes lonely, and often infuriating. Especially after a period of nomadic living (my recent subleasing in NYC), it is at the same time comforting to know I will stay in one place for longer than a few months, but impossible not to miss the land from which I departed. It is this whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that creates a necessity for organization and guidelines for living.

G!d was bringing the Israelites into the best land. Rather than leaving his people to their own ideas, G!d gives good instructions in the opening verses of this passage about appointing judges and kings to help decide cases and rule the land. Deuteronomy 16:20 says, “Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that the L!rd your G!d is giving you.” G!d’s judges are in place to provide correct and just rulings, rather than to dispense favoritism among the people.

If the judges are to be absolutely just, what about the kings the people will eventually appoint? In the latter part of chapter 17, instructions are given for appointing a supreme human ruler of the land the Israelites are about to enter. It is of first importance that this person is chosen by G!d – who has anticipated the desire of the people for a king and set in place appointed leaders. He has taken care before the problem arises to provide his solution. Unsurprisingly, he also instructs the people not to choose a non-Israelite. Considering his instructions to take over the land they will inhabit from those already dwelling there (because they worship idols rather than G!d), this is consistent with the rest of his expectations and statutes.

Since the Israelites were brought out of slavery, G!d is emphatic that a king should not lead them back to the land of Egypt for any purpose, and should also be modest in his lifestyle and possessions. The Torah is to be written at the beginning of his rule, and should instruct his daily lifestyle and leadership of the people. G!d’s people should seek after him and follow the paths he has set for them to go forward rather than returning to the past.

Wandering and moving are not easy things, but there are benefits and lessons that can never be outweighed in these experiences. Sometimes the places I find myself as I wander and move are “good” (for me) – fun, enjoyable, filled with friendships and many things to do. Other places are more difficult to occupy – lonely, biased, “boring,” humid and rainy. But every location promises learning and growth that would be impossible in any other place at any other time. G!d has a plan worked out for each person in each place he sends them.