When we read Parshat Shoftim, we should remember that hope is a necessity in life. In life, some things may take longer than expected, but as long as we have hope and trust in Hashem, we know what we are waiting for will come. In Parshat Shoftim, we are repeatedly told: “When this happens.” In 17:14, it says when we come to the land that Hashem has given us as an inheritance. In 19:1, we are told when Hashem will separate us from the non-Jews in the land of Israel. In 20:1, it states when we will fight the other nations for our land, don’t be scared because Hashem is with us. These are all events that have yet to happen. The Jewish people are still not in Israel, they went through Egypt and then the desert for 40 years, but they are told to have hope. Moshe told them there will be a time that they will finally get this, don’t stop hoping and trusting God.

The hope that Moshe instilled in Bnei Yisrael was helpful because they did make it into the land of Israel. They did fight the other nations and won. They did separate themselves from the others with their own law and kinship systems. Nowadays, we must remember the hope and trust that Moshe showed the Jews. We must instill within us the hope and trust that Moshe instilled in our ancestors. Even if you can’t see it, there is a when. It will happen! Many of us pray for different things and as the Jewish nation we have been waiting for Mashiach for so long—but take a moment to realize it is all coming. It is not only coming but it will come at the best time for us. I bless us all to have hope and trust in Hashem and all He does.