Shoftim – Living with Purpose

By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

A philosopher once said, “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it”. A basic principle in Judaism is that every action, word, and thought has purpose. This applies to all areas of life, however mundane they may seem. In Judaism, we uplift the physical to the spiritual realm, infusing our every action with purpose and meaning.

In this week’s Parsha, we find an example of a higher purpose. In the following passage, the Torah commands us to appoint judges who will pursue justice (Devarim 16, 20):

“צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְקֹוָ֥ק אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽך”

“Justice, Justice! you must pursue; so that you will live and inherit the land Hashem your God is giving you.”

Whenever a word in the Torah is repeated, it comes to teach us an integral lesson. The double use of the word “justice” teaches two different aspects. The first aspect of justice is that the judge must give fair judgment. However, this is not sufficient to qualify as a judge of Jewish Law. Rather, he must also embody these principles in every aspect of his life, to the highest standards. He must live and breathe justice. Every action of his must be just.

The Talmud (Ketubot) emphasizes that a judge must distance himself from dishonesty. A judge, therefore, is prohibited to receive any sum of money from any outside source other than his regular pay role even if such funds have nothing to do his position as a judge. Such a prohibition was instituted so that a Jewish judge would never come close to any action or dishonest ruling.

The requirements given by the Torah regarding a judge may also be applied to all walks of life. One should not only perform his role well, he should embody it. Rather than solely viewing one’s job as a means of sustainment, he should also realize its greater purpose. A doctor must internalize that his purpose is to save lives. A teacher must believe that her contribution will mold a child’s future. A construction worker should know that building a strong and firm home will provide shelter and comfort for his fellow man.

When the physical is uplifted to the spiritual, our connection to the Creator of the World deepens. (Yeshayahu 51,16):

וָאָשִׂ֤ים דְּבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יךָ וּבְצֵ֥ל יָדִ֖י כִּסִּיתִ֑יךָ לִנְטֹ֤עַ שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְלִיסֹ֣ד אָ֔רֶץ וְלֵאמֹ֥ר לְצִיּ֖וֹן עַמִּי־אָֽתָּה

I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand ,in order [for you] to plant the skies [anew],lay the foundations of the earth [anew]and say to Tziyon, ‘You are my people.

Our job in this world is to improve the physical and sanctify it. We must be involved in laying “the foundations of the earth” (the physical aspects), making this world a better place.

Just as a judge must not only do his job well, but also embody justice, so too our life mission is not only to do a good job, but also to embody its purpose. By discovering the higher purpose and meaning behind our actions, we transform them to the spiritual. It is the recognition of the spiritual realm, which will ultimately make a mark on our souls, bringing us closer to perfecting the universe.