Justice

This week we read פרשת שופטים. The initial subject of the Parsha is the importance of establishing proper courts of justice. The connection between the subject of judges, and the end of last week’s Parsha that discussed coming to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage festivals, was that the place where justice was executed was Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

The great Sanhedrin met adjacent to the Temple, and there were other lesser courts there as well. Both King David and King Solomon made it a priority that the Temple be associated with justice.

The Gemara speaks of such courts that were led by righteous judges. The litigants who tried their cases, were certain that the decision rendered, would be unquestionably just. Even when individuals lost their case, they left the courtroom singing, for they knew that the decision was fair.

There is Midrash that says that justice can be learned from the ant. Other ants instinctively knew that they would not steal that which was gathered by other ants.

The society is strengthened when it is known that justice is not perverted with bribery and falsehoods. Its strength comes when it is clear that the motto of the judicial system is, צדק צדק תרדוף, that you shall surely pursue justice. Shabbat Shalom