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Inbal Bat Alon
If we compare the p’sukim regarding Avraham and David, we will find a small, but perhaps significant difference. Regarding Avraham, the order is: charity first and justice second. In contrast, regarding David, justice precedes charity. In the few dozen places in Tanach where the combination appears, usually in regard to the behavior expected of a G-d fearing person, justice almost always comes first, following the David model. One of the notable exceptions is where the subject of the pasuk is Hashem. Hashem is described as, "He loves charity and justice; the kindness of Hashem fills the world" (Tehillim 33:5). (This pasuk is apparently the basis of the beracha, "melech ohev tzedakah u’mishpat.") Indeed, Avraham is described as keeping the way of Hashem, which puts charity before judgment.
Let us now try to put the matter in perspective. David served as king and was required to judge between one person and another. His job was thus to make just decisions, which reflected the truth as to who deserved what. Even within this context, he realized the importance of having an element of charity (if the sides agreed) to make the judgment more palatable to the litigants and increase peaceful relations. Regarding Hashem and His "disciple," Avraham, the idea is to do charity whenever possible. However, if one were to do only charity and not demand any accountability, the world would be out of control. Thus, the desire for charity must be tempered by an element of judgment.
S’dom and its surroundings had reached the point where judgment was needed to put an end to the spiraling moral deterioration. Hashem allowed Avraham to try to arrive at charity within a framework of justice. It is noteworthy that Avraham did not say, "They are without virtue, but please have mercy on them anyway." Rather, he devised a judicial claim that it was unjust to destroy the cities if they contained a minimum of righteous inhabitants. When this claim proved untenable, even the charitable Avraham had no recourse but to accept Divine justice as Hashem proposed.
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
