Finding Our Way (Shoftim 5779)

2017 Women's March Poster by Ruth Mergi
(Voicing pursuit of justice in Hebrew feminine)

One of the most famous phrases in the Torah comes from this week's portion. It's so famous that presidents use it in speeches. A Supreme Court justice has the phrase posted in her chambers. The phrase is "tzedek tzedek tirdoph - justice, justice you must pursue." (Deut. 16:20.) 

This phrase seems a fitting introduction to the season of introspection that began last weekend. That's when the Hebrew month, Elul, opened. It is the month that comes right before Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year). This sense of being judged at this season moved the ancient rabbis to call Rosh Hashanah, "Yom Hadin - Day of Judgment [or justice]." As the calendar turns toward Rosh Hashanah it is customary to become especially self-reflective; judging ourselves and our behaviors in the year that's coming to a close. As my colleague, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein writes about this week's Torah portion, "It is now that I try and focus on the coming period of introspection and self-evaluation." 

Goldstein also addresses the unusual doubling of the Hebrew word, tzedek - justice - in this Torah phrase. She quotes Nachmanides (13th century, Spain), to explain the doubling means (i) judges must exercise judgment justly and (ii) individuals need to actively pursue it. In other words, according to Goldstein, the doubling is directed "not only for the people but [also] for each person." Both the community and the individual need actively to chase after justice. 

The Hebrew verb for "pursuing" here is biblically unusual. As noted by the Sefat Emet (19th century, Poland) when linked to positive human conduct this particular verb is used only twice: with tzedek in Deuteronomy and shalom in Psalms. From this pairing of justice and peace we learn that in order to enact justice and bring peace into our world, it's not enough merely to wish for them. We actively have to go after them. The pairing also hints at a virtuous cycle. True peace depends on complete justice. Peace for all cannot exist without justice for each of us. 

The Israeli author, Amos Oz, who died in 2018, wrote about what animates us to actively go after something: “[People] do not walk except to where [they are] led, and [they are] not led except to where [their] heart desires, and [their] heart does not desire unless the desire be from the depths of [their] soul.'' (Oz, Land of Israel). 

Reb Chaim of Zanz (19th century, Poland) used to tell a story around this time of year on the theme of "where we walk." Here is an adapted version of that story: 

Once a woman got lost on her journey through a dense forest. She wandered this way and that way lost and despairing and hoping. But she only got more lost as the hours went by. As it grew dark, she chanced upon another person in the forest. Relieved she assumed he would know the way out.  

She asked, “I am very lost. Can you tell me which path leads out of this forest?” “I am sorry,” the man answered. “I am lost myself. I’ve been wandering for hours! I cannot help you.” 

Her heart sank, but then she thought about it some more. "Wait," she said, "maybe you really can help me. We can help each other! You've wandered lost in some parts of the forest, while I've wandered lost in other parts. Together we may not know exactly the way out. But we do know a lot of paths that lead nowhere. Let’s share what we know about the paths that have taken us no where. Then together we will find the path that succeeds.” 

At this season of self-reflection as we prepare for the new Jewish year, let's each reflect on where we've fallen off the path. Not being afraid to admit to ourselves and others where we've gotten lost. Then looking for others who at the same time can help us and whom we can help, we will find a way back to the path we've set for ourselves. We may not know exactly where our journey will take us this year, but we can be sure that each of us is supported by a community of others who can guide us each step of the way.

As we spend this month of Elul preparing for the school year and the Jewish year ahead, let’s support each other in finding the ways forward on the paths of justice and peace.