On New Moons and Justice

It is said that the only folks who are constantly aware of the phases of the moon are farmers, sailors, and observant Jews.  The first two, because of the moon’s effect on weather patterns which effect their livelihood and, for the sailor, his very life.  The Jew, because the Jewish calendar is lunar-based and all the important days are dependent upon the appearance of the new moon.

Well, the New Moon of Elul appeared yesterday.  Every month on the Jewish calendar has its special days and days of obligation.  In Elul, it’s the month itself – the entire month – that is special.

For Elul is the month leading up to the High Holy Days:  Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Once Elul starts, we should be starting the soul-searching that will lead to repentance.  To the decisions that will lead to a better life in the next year.  Yeah, New Year’s Resolutions:  we Jews do that, except not at the same time of year that the rest of the world does them.

I’m in Greece for a few days right now, but I can guarantee that, once I’m back in Israel, I’ll hear the Shofar sounded every morning at the end of the Shacharit prayer.  It’s a custom, a sort of advanced wake-up call, a warning that the Days of Repentance are approaching, and it’s time to set accounts aright.

This week’s Torah reading is the portion known as Shoftim, judges, for it opens:  Appoint for yourself judges and officials for your tribes, in all the settlements that the Lord your G-d is giving you, and make sure that they administer honest judgement for the people.  It is not only important to appoint judges and officials, but also to hold them to the highest standards. 

Do not bend justice and do not give special consideration [to anyone].  Everybody gets the same consideration, not based on their rank or social position.

Do not take bribes, as bribery blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.  Of all the transgressions a public official, especially one occupied in the administration of justice, can commit, taking bribes is probably the worst.  This is one of the biggest temptations a public official faces.  Many will accept gifts, and insist that they’re not bribes, that they were received with no expectation of favor.  But most of the public know differently, and see an official who accepts gifts from someone who might be in the position of asking a special favor, as having accepted a bribe.  This has been many public officials’ undoing.

Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your G-d is giving you.  The repeated word tsedek – justice – is said to indicate that one must pursue justice, justly.  The end does not necessarily justify the means.  Another opinion on the doubled word, is that it means pursue justice with all zeal.  Whatever Hashem may have meant in repeating the word, it catches one’s attention and focuses one’s thoughts on the idea of pursuing justice.