parsha bit: Shoftim

[cellio]

This week's parsha contains the directive "tzedek tzedek tirdof" -- "justice, justice you shall pursue". The rabbis ask why "tzedek" is repeated and give various explanations. Rabbi Ashi says that the first "tzedek" is the justice of following the law strictly, and the second is the justice of compromise. For example, when two ships seek to use the same narrow passage at the same time, they might have equal claims under the first tzedek but must compromise under the second (lest they both sink). Compromise is not merely pragmatic but commanded. (Sanhedrin 32b)

Comments

[kerryp.livejournal.com]

Not half an hour ago, I just finished reading Rabbi Telushkin's fictional detective novel entitled "An Eye for an Eye", which uses this directive as its central theme. The novel, in the same vein as the Rabbi Small mysteries by Harry Kemelman, does an excellent job of discussing different perspectives of Jewish law. I recommend it.