A Soulful Journey

                                          The rabbinic standard of justice: “The measure with which a man measures will be measured out to him.”    -Mishna Sotah 1:7 We get what we give.  Be kind.  Be good. It is in your best interest.

There are many instances where justice is are articulated and dispensed.  Here are three examples: “You shall not render an unfair decision. Do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich. Judge your kinsmen fairly.”  Leviticus 19:15 “Through those near to Me I will show myself holy.”  Leviticus 10:3 These words were spoken to Aaron after his sons decided they knew better how to approach God. “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, because you do not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land I have given them.”  Numbers 20:12 This admonition is directed at Moses when he did not follow God’s instructions.

"When I was no more than six years of age, I did something that my father considered of reprimand.  He sent me to the local police station with a note.  The officer on duty read it and locked me in a jail cell for five minutes saying, 'This is what we do to naughty boys.'  I have, ever since, gone to any lengths to avoid arrest and confinement.  To you young people my message is - stay out of jail!'  - Alfred Hitchcock A good lesson to all parents for all children.

"He who sheds human blood, humans will his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6).  "He who would shed human blood" is not only about punishment but prevention as the sacred text means only if there is no other way to stop the potential murder. - Sanhedrin 72b Our task is ultimately about justice, not revenge.  While we may be angry to the point of fury, we must never lose sight of the sacred call to justice.

"To fear punishment is nothing," he said.  "What we must fear is sin."   -Menachem Mendl

After the fading celebrity Zsa Zsa Gabor was found guilty of slapping a traffic cop during a minor traffic violation.   The judge then slapped her with an unbearably harsh sentence: she was ordered to put her real age (then 66) on her driver’s license.   She was also sentenced to three days in jail. Coming to grips with reality – like aging, failing mental acuity, waning strength is difficult to face.   Ultimately though it needs to be confronted.

A rich merchant arrived at a city to collect debts owed to him.  He was insistent for payment by those who owed him large sums but he did not press the smaller debts as strenuously.  One very poor man he did not bother at all. The wretchedly poor man boasted to others, "See, I am left alone because my credit is better than yours." "Oh no -- that is not the reason," the others explained.  "The merchant does not bother you because you are so small and insignificant.  You have little or nothing to give." Moral: Since Moses was harshly chastised for a minor sin, how are we, insignificant by comparison to him, to be punished for our numerous sins?  But, we are only inconspicuous beings, like the poor merchant, who have nothing.

“When we demand justice, it is not always justice on our behalf against other people.   Nobody, I imagine, would ever ask for justice to be done upon him for everything he ever did wrong. “We do not want justice – we want revenge; and that is why when justice is done upon us, we cry out that God is vindictive.”    - Dorothy L. Sayers Isn't Hillel's rule "What is hurtful to you, do not do to others?"

Rabbi Haim Gedalia of Ushpitzin "interceded with God in favor of an innkeeper who was notorious for his many sins. ‘Very well, I forgive him,’ said the Almighty. Pleased with his success, the rabbi began to search out all sinners to defend. This time, God didn’t listen. Remorseful, the Rabbi fasted for six days waiting for the reason of God’s displeasure. "You were wrong to look for sinners.’ A celestial voice told him. ‘If God chooses to look away, you should do the same.’ " Elie Wiesel