Thinking Torah Blog

For some time now, we have been navigating an important shift towards reorienting power with the hope of achieving greater liberation. This effort resonates deeply with our Jewish values of justice and equity. We are acutely aware of the disparities that plague our society—disparities in wealth, education, and freedom, exemplified by issues like the generational wealth gap and the school-to-prison pipeline.

As we work to build a more equitable world, let us also remember the teachings of this week's Torah portion, Kedoshim: 'You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your kin fairly' (Lev. 19:15). True justice requires us to transcend the binary view of the powerful versus the powerless and strive for fairness in all our judgments. Justice is not just if we cannot find a way to act fairly. To move forward, we need new perspectives and fresh visions—ways that transform the current power dynamics rather than merely invert them.