- Hebrew name
- שֹׁפְטִים
- Book
- Deuteronomy
- Verses
- Dt 16,18–21,9
- Haftara
- Is 51,12–52,12
« Justice, justice, thou shalt pursue »: the section organizes a limited power — the king is subject to the Law and must write a copy for himself, judges do not take gifts, a single witness is not sufficient. It also contains the prohibition against destroying the fruit trees of a besieged city, often cited as the first rule of restraint in war.