When we analyze the structure of the society in which we live, there is one particular element that stands out regarding the organization and mutual respect of individuals: the laws.
It can be asserted that a society lacking laws is chaotic. If we do not have rights as individuals, then everything is permitted. This is a recipe for disaster. In our modern nations, where governments are plagued by corruption and the judicial system functions more through connections and bribes than by the defense of the law, we can confirm that the social and economic consequences are calamitous.
“White-collar” criminals walk free without repercussions, while people who inadvertently violate unconstitutional laws pay disproportionately.
What is the Purpose of the Torá?
The primary objective of the Torá is to establish a social structure based on justice. Unlike many “ultra-spiritualizing” preachings of modern and ancient theologians, the purpose of the Torá is to create a framework for interaction between people based on a universal criterion of justice.
Both the Ten Commandments and the rest of the 613 commandments detailed in the Scriptures are intended to guide us in a life of justice and equity. Many of them deal with interpersonal relationships—that is, how I relate to my neighbor—while others deal with the relationship between the individual and the Creator.
The interesting thing is that even those commandments that express the way to connect and relate to our Creator are also connected to social justice and the way we relate to our neighbor.
There Can Be No Justice in a Society Without God
The first four of the Ten Commandments say nothing about the way we relate to our neighbor; instead, they focus on our relationship with the Creator. And here lies the secret of Justice. It is Justice because it is commanded by the Creator.That is to say, to determine what is justice and what is not, we must be able to establish a universal concept of it. Otherwise, what makes the subjective parameters of one person or group of people superior to what a different group considers to be justice?
It is for this reason that before dealing with concepts related to justice between individuals, we must establish Who the Creator is and what place He occupies in our life. We must establish that we cannot have other Elohim (mighty ones) before Him (the first commandment) and we must grant Him the respect He deserves as the Creator of the Universe and of all that exists. Once this principle is established, then we can continue deepening our understanding of what He requires of us regarding our interactions as individuals.
The Role of Justice in Ancient Israel
“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue…”
— Deuteronomy 16:20
This exhortation for the children of Israel is accompanied by commandments to institute entire judicial courts, along with examples and statutes on how to administer justice and warnings about not yielding to bribes or personal and subjective interests. Instead, they were to observe a level of absolute impartiality.
An entire book in the Tanakh is dedicated to the Judges, who led Israel for several generations before the institution of the monarchy. And even after the anointing of the kings, we have testimonies regarding the execution of just judgments by King Solomon, who for his part considered justice to be greater than sacrifices:
“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yehováh than sacrifice.”
— Proverbs 21:3
The original purpose of the Toráh is to create a framework for interaction between people based on a universal criterion of justice.