Parshas Shoftim begins with the words: “Shoftim v’shotrim titein lecha b’chol she’arecha,” “Judges and officers shall you appoint in all your gates.”
The Torah teaches us that a Yid must live with justice, integrity, and a constant awareness of Hashem’s ratzon. The meforshim explain that the words “b’chol she’arecha,” “in all your gates,” can also remind us to guard the “gates” of a person: what we see, what we hear, what we say, and how we allow the world around us to influence us. Every day gives us a new opportunity to make choices that bring more kedushah into our lives.
The parshah tells us: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” A Yid is called upon not merely to appreciate what is right, but to actively pursue it. In our relationships with others, in our decisions, and in our avodas Hashem, we strive to act with honesty, compassion, and emes.
Parshas Shoftim also contains the powerful command: “Tamim tihyeh im Hashem Elokecha,” “You shall be wholehearted with Hashem your G-d.” We are reminded to place our trust in Hashem rather than become overwhelmed by uncertainty about what lies ahead. Even when we do not understand what is happening, we can strengthen our emunah and know that Hashem is guiding us.
The parshah also speaks about going out to battle and tells us: “Lo tira meihem, ki Hashem Elokecha imach,” “Do not be afraid of them, for Hashem your G-d is with you.” These words have special meaning as we daven for the safety of our chayalim. We ask Hashem to watch over them, protect them from harm, strengthen them, and bring them home safely.
This is also the special koach of Tehillim. Dovid HaMelech gives us the words to turn to Hashem in every situation: to strengthen our emunah, pour out our hearts, and ask for refuah, yeshuah, brachah, and protection. Every sincere tefilah is precious, and no Yid is ever alone.
May our Tehillim and tefilos bring refuos, yeshuos, brachos, and protection for all of Klal Yisrael. May Hashem guard all of our chayalim, comfort those who are suffering, bring all those in danger to safety, and send the ultimate yeshuah with the coming of Mashiach and the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash, bimheirah b’yameinu, amen.
Names for Refuah Shleimah
Maxim Yehuda ben Yaffa
Aaron ben Shamsi
Rachamim Sasson ben Bracha
Yechiel HaLevi ben Rochel
Chizkiyahu Dov ben Shoshana
Kayhan Ilan ben Biyhay Chana
Shmaryahu ben Raizel Shoshana Miriam
Ella Imashom bas Tzipora demikre Sveta
Heleni Orna bas Chen Chana
Esther Hadassah bas Devora
Noach Gabriel Tzvi ben Tzipora
Fruma bas Raizel Shoshana Miriam
For the Protection of Our Chayalim
Shalom ben Aviva
Idan ben Miriam
Chen ben Rachel
Chamra ben Tamar
Erez ben Meirav
Matan ben Nitza
Dani ben Yevgenia
Nevo ben Yafit
Amit ben Yael
Or ben Ronit
Uri ben Rachel
Maayan ben Sagit
Yarden ben Ayala
Netanel ben Avraham ben Nechemia Simcha
Oded Ephraim ben Vivian
Chaim Idan ben Inbal
Ro’i Chaim ben Meirav
Avihu Rafael ben Anat
Chaim Daniel ben Hodiya
Itai ben Chana
David ben Ziva
Eran Rafael ben Elka
Yinon ben Karina Yehudit
Itai Rafael ben Rotem
Yehonatan ben Adisa
Shlomo Yitzchak ben Rachel
Eliya ben Ravit
David ben Chaya
Yosef ben Shoshana
David Michael ben Chana Anna
Ro’i ben Tali
Menachem David Chai ben Miriam
Moshe Chaim ben Keren
Yaakov Yisrael ben Varda
Itamar Menachem
ben Naomi Heniya
Malachi Yekutiel ben Hila Dafna
Ofir Rafael ben Liora
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
