SHABBAT MESSAGE FROM RABBI ROB: Earlier this week I mentioned the Noahide laws, laws the predated the Ten Commandments, and the first of the Noahide laws speaks of establishing courts of justice. In this weeks Torah portion, the very first reading is about appointing righteous judges who will act honestly and fairly. Though generations and generations separate the Noahide laws and the commandment to appoint judges, as we read in the Torah, we should understand that a theme is being established; that theme is justice. I posit that the message of Torah is that God has created us and, given that we are a spiritual reflection of the divine Presence, we are thus commanded to act in ways that reflect our divine origin. We must therefore ask ourselves, what could be more divine that to live not only a life of holiness and righteousness, but a life of justice? In fact, we should understand that that justice is itself an aspect of holiness and righteousness. We cannot be holy and righteous unless we are truly just. Throughout Torah we often read about justice. Moses judged. Later we learn of King Solomon sitting in judgement. Thus, we learn that a good, holy, and righteous society is based on justice for all, true, honest, and impartial justice. Judges are to act in complete fairness, not favoring one party over another, not favoring the rich over the poor. They are to be truly just! In that same light, we ourselves are prompted to act fairly, honestly, and justly. so, as we approach the holiest days of the Jewish spiritual year, Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur, we must remember to judge ourselves in fairness, honesty, and with justice in our hearts and in our minds. SHABBAT SHALOM!
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 13:22:18 +0000