Shoftim - August 28, 2025

This evening we examine the difficult Mitzvah of following the Halachic ruling of your rabbi, even when he is wrong. When does this apply and when does it not apply. We explain the distinction between a dispute of east v. west, and a dispute between right v. left. We use the example of Rav Herschel Schachter and how he approached dealing with myriad questions during covid. Then we trace the single theme of the entire variegated High Holiday season, with its multiple Holidays, distinct Mitzvot and moods, all encapsulated in Psalm 27, the roadmap from Ellul to Shmini Atzeret, and where we hope to arrive at the completion. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.