When the honor of Israel increases, the honor of God also increases. Therefore, it is our duty as individuals to strive for justice and righteousness in our actions, and to pray for the redemption and well-being of Israel. By doing so, we are magnifying the honor of the Master and sanctifying His name.
In conclusion, let us remember the words of the sages and strive to live a life of righteousness and saintliness, always seeking to increase the honor of God and His creations. Through our actions and intentions, may we contribute to the growth of holiness and the ultimate redemption of Israel.
“Wherever the activity of Israel is alive, the light of the True God bursts into flames and shines bright,” (section, Orot Ha-Techiya, Lights of Renaissance, 69).
“This intention [for the honor of God and for the honor and Redemption of Israel] needs to be included in his divine service and also be an actual part of his prayers, namely, to pray on behalf of his generation, to atone for he who needs atonement, to bring to repentance he who needs to repent, and to plead in defense of his entire generation…
“It is proper for every Chasid to be motivated in his deeds, for the good of his entire generation, to bring merit to them…See then, that it is a duty incumbent on the Saintly to plead and exert themselves on behalf of their generation…These are the true shepherds of Israel, which the Holy One, blessed be He, greatly desired in, who sacrifice themselves for His sheep, seeking and striving for their peace and well-being in all matters,” (Mesillat Yesharim, chapter 19).
And what greater matter for self-sacrifice can there be than to help bring about the full Redemption of all Israel?
In our generation, that HaShem is redeeming before our eyes, besides prayers and longings, it’s possible to do actual physical acts, for example, make Aliyah (move to Israel), build up the Land, etc.
What can be done, like work to re-establish the Sanhedrin, and prepare everything, including all the materials, to rebuild the Beit Hamikdash, should be done.
Parshat Shoftim provides the blueprint to build the Tzadik State of Israel at the time of Redemption.
What is a Tzadik State?
Just like the Torah sets out the structure, of how an individual Jew can best relate to his Creator (through the Mitzvot), and express his/or her personal example of Kedushah (holiness) in the world, it also does it for the Jewish People on the national level. This national structure sets up the framework for individual Jews and the nation as a whole, to reach their full potential.
“You shall be for Me a kingdom of priests [teachers] and a holy nation,” (Exodus 19:6).
The Torah shows the Jewish People the institutions needed, to build a holy society in Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), that will then become a shining example for the nations, on how to express Tzidkut (righteousness) on the national level.
In the parsha, we encounter the Mitzvot to appoint a king, and the laws of war (Deut. 17:14-20, 20:1-20); to establish a Torah-based Legal System (Deut. 16:18) and recognize G-d’s prophets (Deut. 18:15); and issues dealing with the Priests and Levites (Deut. 18:1).
The Mitzvot, map out the ideal national structure for the Jewish people in their homeland. The parsha describes the central elements of full Jewish life in their own country. Jews today should be working towards bringing about: Malchut/Kingdom, Sanhedrin/Torah, Nevuah/Prophecy, and Kehunah/Temple.
When one is held back from actual deeds, the Ramchal teaches us, what our prayers and longings should be for. And, when the time of Redemption sprouts, as is the situation today, what Kavanah we should have, as we strive to build the Tzadik State of Israel.
As the prophet told Israel, “…be a light unto the nations, that My salvation may come to the ends of the earth,” (Isaiah 49:6).