Instructions for counting the omer are found on our Omer Overview Page. You can find the specific blessing for today at chabad.org.

We’re dedicating a new Sefer Torah on the first day of Shavuot. In honor of this joyous occasion, we’re using the counting of the Omer to take a whirlwind trip through the Torah

Today’s portion is Shoftim from the book of Deuteronomy. Today’s insight was generously provided by Sam Y.

Verses of note: Deuteronomy 16:20

What caught your attention in this parashah?

As the Torah talks about due justice near the beginning Shoftim, it delivers the famous line “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” The reason that this line is so important is because the word “justice” is repeated twice. Since the Torah is very particular about its wording, the fact that this word is repeated means that it was very intentionally emphasized. The question here is whether the usage is just as a literary device, or a description about how to be just.

What’s one explanation for these verses?

One interpretation of this line is that the first “justice” is used to describe the second “justice”. Because justice is so important to a society, the Torah might be saying that we must pursue justice in a just way. Creating a system to determine fairness is very difficult, and if one part of this system creates an unbalance, the whole system would be thrown off. Therefore, in order to create a working system, every element must be pursued in the fairest way and looked at from all angles before put into law.

Where to Learn More

Youtube channel BimBam: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAYQOwOpViCsUL7sKiCg9gg