Our Torah reading this week (Shoftim) begins with the commandment that the people of Israel should appoint judges (i.e., shoftim: שׁפְטִים) and court officers (i.e., shoterim: שׁוֹטְרִים) so that justice would be enforced throughout the land. The call for justice is stated, "tzedek, tzedek tirdof" (צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדּף): "Justice, Justice you shall pursue" (Deut. 16:20). The word tzedek means "righteousness" and involves the duty to adhere to moral truth. Throughout the portion the theme of social justice predominates, including the ethical characteristics for judges and courts of law, as well as for elders, kings, prophets, and priests, all of whom are responsible for maintaining a just society.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 01:02:27 +0000
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