QUESTIONS ON PARASHAT SHOFETIM

1. Elul, the sixth month of the Jewish year, begins at sundown on Wednesday August 23, 2006. According to tradition, what important biblical event occurred on this day? What is the spiritual significance of this month? What spiritual actions should we take? Why?

2. Parashat Shofetim includes laws which govern warfare. Included in the discussion on siege warfare is the profound but difficult to understand question, "Is the tree of the field human to withdraw before you into the besieged city?" (Deuteronomy 20:19). How is the tree of the field like a human? How does this impact our relationship to the environment?