Pursuing Justice, Truth and Peace

This week’s parashah, Parashat Yitro, discusses many important topics. Considering the current situation that we, the nation of Israel, find ourselves in, I believe it would be best to look to the Torah to see what it says about the system of justice. In this week’s Torah portion, we see that Moshe, the leader of the nation of Israel, is involved in providing judgment to the people. So much so, that the verse explains that he was judging, “from morning to evening” (Exodus 18:13).

Rashi explains that this verse cannot be understood literally. Moshe had other responsibilities as a person and as a leader. However, the Torah is teaching us an essential lesson. It references the creation of the world, as the Torah refers to each stage of creation with the same terminology of “evening and morning.” As such, Rashi tells us, quoting our Rabbis, that a person who judges a truthful decision becomes a partner in the creation of the world with the Holy One.

This seems to be quite an approbation for judges! However, the rabbis do not just speak in generic praises or express trite compliments. What idea is being expressed and how can one possibly become a partner in the creation of the world? Certainly, we are aware that we are here after the world has been created, so how can we partner in our very creation? These words beg for an understanding.

The medieval sage Rabbeinu Yonah tells us to look to two seemingly contradictory statements of the Rabbis in Pirkei Avos, the Ethics of our Fathers. Shimon Hatzadik is quoted as having said (Pirkei Avot 1:2) that, “the world stands on three things: Torah, service [of Hashem], and acts of kindness.” However, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel stated (Pirkei Avot 1:18) that, “the world is sustained by justice, truth, and peace.” Are these two rabbis disagreeing? Each enumerates a different set of three items. One says Torah, sacrifices in the Temple or prayer, and acts of kindness are what the world stands on and the other says that justice, truth, and peace hold up the world. And if they disagree, what is the difference between what the world is standing on and what the world is sustained by?

As we mentioned, the rabbis are exacting with their words. They carefully choose certain terms to express different ideas. Rabbeinu Yonah explains that these two rabbis are discussing two different issues. Shimon Hatzadik is speaking about the purpose of creation. Humanity was created in the image of God to connect the Creator to the world. We fulfill a greater purpose when we involve ourselves in a higher system of values. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, however, is speaking about what allows us to achieve this objective.

Imagine if you will, a world filled with corruption, theft, murder, and other immoral and violent actions. We do not need to look further than what we said being perpetrated upon our people in our homeland and applauded and cherished by others across the world. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel explains that justice, truth, and peace are needed to allow this world to continue to exist because otherwise, we would be unable to reach a life of service to God. As such, when a person pursues justice, when an individual stands up for what is right, they are quite literally partnering with God in the sustaining of this world to allow for its purpose to be accomplished.

In a time where we see so much vitriol and hatred spread towards Jews and Israel, when we see excuses being offered as opposed to condemnation for attacks committed against our people, we need to stay strong and not give up fighting for truth and justice. Without fighting for these, we won’t be able to get peace. And without peace, truth, and justice, we will not be able to find a life of God. Please, God, we should pursue justice, truth, and peace, and be able to lead a life of Torah, service of God, and acts of kindness.

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Barany