Devar/5768/Shoftim
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< Devar | 5768
עברית
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Justice, justice shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Deut 16:20)
The Torah informs us that "justice" is not just a good trait -- but rather is necessary in order for us to live, and in order for us to inherit the Land which was promised to our forefathers. What is the connection between justice and our ability to hold onto the Land? Indeed, it was in any case promised to us?
The Torah commands: 'Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. (Deut 1:16). When you judge righteously, then there will be peace between a man and his brother, and between a man and the stranger. Both the "man and his brother", and the "man and the stranger" are called "brothers". That is to tell you, that there is no such thing as "first class" and "second class" Jews -- rather, every Jew who keeps God's commandments is considered a "brother", and we must treat him accordingly.
Now in our Land, as usual, there is tension between the "National Religious" and the "Chareidi", and between the "Sephardi" and the "Ashkenazi". The Torah tells us there are no such differences -- and if we persist on this path, God forbid!, we will not succeed -- neither to keep our inheritance, nor even to survive, Heaven help us. Our enemies are happy to see us fighting amongst ourselves -- and they are afraid when we are united!
Let us not give an opening to our true enemies -- rather let us take the lesson of the Torah to heart, that we Jews are all brothers, even though we came from different exiles and we have differing opinions. Let us unite, and be victorious forever! Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and they that return of her with righteousness (Isaiah 1:27)
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