| Article from Erica Brown: Neglect of widows and orphans is not a new theme in the biblical text. We are admonished in Exodus and Deuteronomy to care for the most vulnerable in our society. What do Isaiah's strong words add? Isaiah's point is a legal one. According to Rashi, the prophet is pointing a finger at a justice system where bribes are accepted our of avarice, and those unable to pay-like the widow and orphan-have their cases postponed to a later date. Because the vulnerable are not given top priority in the justice system, they stop using the courts...
An indictment of a legal system is ultimately an indictment of society. We all have moments when we ignore the urgent needs of those around us. We don't do it willfully; we assume that someone else will take care of the problem. Growing up in a democracy, we naturally assume that when agreement cannot be reached between people, a government agency will step in and adjudicate. Our tax payers' dollars will come through; a social service institution or charitable non-profit will pick up the pieces...
Every day presents an opportunity to make our lives more whole, less fragmented, more honest and less compartmentalized. We are all hypocrites in one way or another. We strive to be good but stumble. We aim for consistency but miss the mark. So instead of trying to change the whole world at once, perhaps we can make minute but meaningful steps to promote justice. Small acts of justice are the bricks of any future Mikdash.
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment