The scene is set: the Israelites stand on the brink of the Promised Land. Moses, their leader and teacher, is preparing them for a future without him. He knows that once they cross the Jordan, life will be different. They will no longer wander as a tribe in the desert; they will live as a nation, with judges, leaders, and even kings. And so, he begins with a command that echoes across time:

“Tzedek, tzedek tirdof, justice, justice you shall pursue.”

Moses doesn’t just tell them to follow justice, he tells them to chase after it. And he adds a warning: justice must be administered without corruption, without favoritism, without bending the rules to benefit a friend or harm an enemy.

In every generation, Moses says, there will be leaders entrusted with interpreting and applying the laws of the Torah. The law itself is eternal, but the responsibility of applying it falls on each new generation. It is not enough to simply inherit it; you must live it, interpret it, and carry it forward.

For us, as Alephs and BBGs, this message is strikingly familiar. In our own rituals, Alephs and BBGs commit themselves to living lives guided by the Menorah Pledge and Cardinal Principles. Just as the Torah served as the moral compass of our ancestors, the Red and Blue Books, our membership manuals, guide us today. They remind us of the values we uphold and the standards we commit to.

In fact, Parshat Shoftim offers a perfect image for this. The Torah tells us that a Jewish king must always carry a Torah scroll with him, so that wherever he goes, he is never without a reminder of the values and virtues he must follow. He cannot forget who he is or what he represents.

Isn’t that exactly what our principles and manuals are for us? Our Blue and Red Books, our Menorah Pledge, and Cardinal Principles are our constant reminders, our modern “Torah scrolls.” They challenge us to live with integrity, to treat others with dignity, and to pursue justice in every decision we make.

The lesson is clear: justice doesn’t come naturally. It requires reminders, rituals, and responsibilities. For the Israelites, it was the Torah. For us, it’s our rituals, our principles, and the community we’ve built together as Alephs and BBGs.

So as we read Parshat Shoftim this week, may we remember Moses’ call: “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” May we take it as our own responsibility not only to talk about justice, but to chase after it, live it, and make it real in our lives as Alephs and BBGs.

Shabbat Shalom,
Hailey Arnell & Adi Shankman
37th International Sh'licha & 37th Grand Aleph Shaliach