Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel used to say: on three things does the world stand: On justice, on truth, and on peace, as it is said: “execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates” (Zechariah 8:16). Ethics of our Ancestors 2:14
Generally speaking, people react to receiving a jury duty summons with the same level of enthusiasm as being told they need root canal surgery. And this was, in fact, my reaction upon receiving the notice from the Office of the Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney. My one consolation was that, in the past, my social work degree had made my selection to a jury anathema to prosecuting attorneys. It was, if you will excuse the reference, my “get out of jail card.” But not this time.
My snide and dubious attitude all changed when I raised my right hand to be sworn in as a juror. This was an oath, and a person’s future was in my hands.
Our Jewish tradition takes judging and justice very seriously. “Tzedek, Tzedek tirdof” — Justice, justice you should pursue. (Deuteronomy 16:20). Our sages commented that since every word in the Torah is deemed to be essential, the fact that the word “Tzedek” is repeated twice speaks of its primacy in Jewish life. They also comment on the word “tirdof” — pursue. It is not sufficient for us to apply justice when it comes to us, but we must actively pursue it.
Over the course of three days, we (the jury) were sent to the jury room numerous times. Each time we returned to the courtroom after a break or deliberating, the bailiff would pronounce, “All rise for the jury.” I snapped to attention as I heard those words and as the import of their meaning washed over me. I had taken on, in the civic sense, a sacred responsibility. I was tasked with the same responsibility articulated in the Torah thousands of years ago:
“I charged your magistrates at that time as follows, ‘Hear out your fellow Israelites, and decide justly between one party and the other—be it a fellow Israelite or a stranger. You shall not be partial in judgment: hear out low and high alike. Fear neither party, for judgment is God’s.’” Deuteronomy 1: 16-17
The Hebrew language has three words for justice, each with a different connotation:
• Din — judgment of the law.
• Mishpat — the law and the sentence associated with it.
• Tzedek —a broader societal justice (“righteousness”), and our responsibility to pursue it.
The precision of the language speaks of the necessity of care in pursuing justice — in all its forms.
It may seem difficult to feel a sacred civic sense of responsibility these days. But what will become of us if it is lost?
And how do we share our commitment to justice with our grandchildren? I believe, as in all things grandparental, we do so by modeling. Certainly, we cannot wait until the rare moment when we are called to jury duty — or even for the first Tuesday of November when we proudly wear our “I voted” sticker. Perhaps it begins when we wait for a green light before crossing the street, pick up a piece of trash off the sidewalk, or speak respectfully to a police officer, crossing guard, or postal worker.
I was exhausted by the intensity of attention that was required for the three days I served on the jury. My vote would change a person’s life forever. I had embraced the sacred responsibility of pursuing justice. For me, serving on a jury was a vital civic duty booster shot. Now I have to consider how I will share that sense of duty with my grandchildren.
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