Lessons from the Weekly Parsha

August 14, 2026

Parshat Shoftim

By Rabbi Abraham Unger, Ph.D.
Executive Director

 

This Week’s Torah Portion

Next Steps

When I was a college Hillel Rabbi I gave what I think might be the shortest High Holiday sermon ever delivered. At Rosh HaShanah eve services one year, I asked the students, “Who are you now, and who do you want to be?”

Today, on this Sabbath eve, we are observing Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the month of Elul. Traditionally, this is a time on the Jewish calendar when we begin reflecting to prepare for the New Year starting next month, in Tishrei.

In yeshiva, this month’s study cycle even has a special name. It is called “Elul Zman”, the semester of Elul. Some scholars start reading works on repentance and character during these weeks of self-examination. But, the two succinct questions I asked a group of college students are at the core of this season of looking inward.

Judaism is convinced that at any stage of life we can still evolve and grow. We know by our thoughts and actions who we are as spiritual creatures. Deep down, we all have a sense of our strengths and weaknesses if we have a moral compass and are being honest with ourselves.

What then of tomorrow? Are we satisfied with personal stagnation? Do we simply wish to always see the world through the same eyes, or are we courageous enough to imagine we can yet become something more? The Torah believes in us. We have been worthy enough to earn its Mitzvot.

These are the days to believe in each of our own unique potentials. The story is never over. It is up to us how we will write our next chapter.

 

Weekly Parenting Message from the Parsha

Teaching Our Children How to Reflect

Today begins the new Hebrew month of Elul. In this month before Rosh Hashanah we are asked to look inward and reflect. What aspects of our behavior can we improve, and how can we become our best selves? It is hard enough to be self-aware as an adult, but it is even harder as a child.Here’s where science comes in. A child’s frontal cortex is always developing. It is up to us to model the kinds of behaviors we want our children to emulate, and at the same time, to sit down and speak with them in a guided way about who they are and the type of person they’d like to be.

Treating our children as reasonable partners in conversation will empower them as self-aware growing individuals. Research demonstrates that building our children’s mindfulness, or sense of presence in a moment, is a great way to support their neurological development. Real talks matter.

Judaism teaches that we are always teaching our children, no matter what we are doing. How we conduct ourselves and how we interact with others forms our sons and daughters. The conversations we have with them form them even more.