Tsedek is the Pursuit

"Tsedek is not a destination, it is the pursuit"

"God becomes evident THROUGH the people we help"

"Don’t seek to do Justice by unjust means"

Quotes from this week's Torah Study that are worthy of remembering.

As discussion traveled through the many reminders of the rights of the stranger. Deuteronomy 24:17-18 and back to Exodus 22, and Leviticus 17 & 19 and on to the Prophets - Isaiah 1, Jeremiah 7, Job, and into the Proverbs "do not rob the wretched or destitute". It is evident that this is a pervasive theme in Tanach. Concern for the stranger is unique in Biblical times to those who follow the word of Torah. We are reminded that "we were once strangers" almost as often as we are reminded of the Exodus story itself.

Then the discussion turned to the difficult question of "why is the world not perfect?" if God is in control. I like the analogy that we are like 'property managers'. But we have a very big job to repair the world and the laws in Torah make an excellent guide for many difficult situations that just happen.

Then we got into the discussion about how to treat the widow and special consideration needed. This will be continued next session.

Research from “tsedek, tsedek” this week led me to an interesting analysis of repeated words in Torah - Link.

And an interesting D’Var Torah on Justice and reflections for Rosh Hashanah 5767: Link.