Empowering Society for Good: The Timeless Relevance of the Bible

If there is any portion of the Torah, any biblical chapter, any weekly parsha that I would recommend to anyone—Jewish or not—it would be Sefer Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1–24:18).

It is a masterpiece of law, ethics, and justice, a framework that could and should be the foundation of any nation’s constitution. It is tragic that while so many countries base their legal systems on Roman law or English common law, they fail to recognize the brilliance of Mishpatim, which was written over 3,000 years ago and yet remains as relevant today as ever. And even more unfortunate—Israel itself does not enshrine these divine laws in its own constitution.

The depth of these laws is staggering. Could man have written them? Perhaps those who deny the divine origins of the Torah should simply read Mishpatim, for here lies proof of wisdom beyond human authorship.

Mishpatim is more than laws—it is a moral compass, a roadmap to justice, and a call to empower society for good.

A Constitution for Humanity

The laws in Mishpatim pour forth in a stunning sequence, one after another as if the Torah itself cannot contain the urgency of these principles:

• “You shall not accept a false report” – Truth is the foundation of justice (Exodus 23:1).
• “You shall not follow the majority to do evil” – Morality is not dictated by popular opinion (Exodus 23:2).
• “Distance yourself from falsehood” – Integrity must be absolute (Exodus 23:7).

Each verse is a lesson, a warning, and a guide.

Judaism: A Religion and a Land

Another misconception that must be addressed is that many people think Judaism is just a religion disconnected from the physical world. But Mishpatim makes it abundantly clear that Judaism is also about the Land.

God did not give these laws as abstract ideals—He gave them to be practiced in the Land of Israel to create a model society.

This is not just about personal piety. It is about nation-building, about establishing a society that embodies divine justice.

And the Torah leaves no doubt about the territorial aspect of this mission.

The Biblical Borders of Israel: A Divine Mandate

Mishpatim defines the borders of the Land of Israel with absolute clarity:

“I will set your border from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines (Mediterranean), and from the wilderness (Arabian Desert) to the Euphrates River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hands, and you shall drive them out before you.”
(Exodus 23:31)

This is not an arbitrary boundary. It is a covenant, a divine promise, and a responsibility.

The Mistake of False Covenants

The next verse offers a warning—one that echoes loudly through history and into the present:

“You shall not make a covenant with them or with their gods.”
(Exodus 23:32)

This is a call for moral clarity. God does not command hatred or conquest for conquest’s sake. He commands that we not compromise with evil.

And how little has changed.

For thousands of years, Israel has fought not just for survival but for the right to exist on its own land, according to its own values. Yet, time and again, the world pressures Israel to make peace with those who seek its destruction, to negotiate with those who glorify terror, and to make covenants with those who hold no regard for human life.

This is not the justice of Mishpatim. This is not the morality of the Torah. This is a perversion of righteousness, where the innocent are blamed while the guilty are empowered.

The War in Gaza: A Test of the World’s Moral Compass

The war in Gaza is not just a military conflict—it is a war between justice and hypocrisy.

Hamas does not seek peace. It does not seek prosperity for the people of Gaza. It seeks destruction. It is an embodiment of what the Torah warns against: those who choose evil over good, terror over coexistence, violence over dignity.

And yet, instead of standing against terror, the world condemns Israel for defending itself.

For centuries, the Jewish people endured persecution, exile, and genocide. The world stood silent.

• When six million were slaughtered, you did nothing.
• When five Arab armies waged war on Israel in 1948, you watched.
• When terrorists bombed our buses, our homes, and our streets, you told us to make peace with murderers.

And now? Now, when our people are raped, burned, and massacred, you condemn us for fighting back.

You—the so-called defenders of human rights—have lost the right to lecture us.

Israel’s Strength: A Light in the Darkness

Israel will not apologize for defending its people.
Israel will not surrender its moral clarity to a world drowning in hypocrisy.
Israel will not abandon the values of Mishpatim, no matter how uncomfortable they make the rest of the world.

Empowering Society for Good: The Eternal Mission

The message of Mishpatim is clear, eternal, and non-negotiable:

• Justice must be based on truth, not public opinion.
• Morality cannot be compromised for political convenience.
• The Land of Israel is the foundation for a just and ethical society.

We are not just fighting a war of weapons. We are fighting a war of values. A war for the future of truth, justice, and righteousness.

And in this war, we will prevail.

Because history will remember who stood for justice and who stood for terror.
And Israel will endure, as it always has, with God’s help as it always will.

 —

Further reading: I Invite you to read my substack article entitled

Rebranding ESG: Why “Empower Society for Good” is a Better Model

https://upgradingesg.substack.com/p/rebranding-esg

Cover images sourced from Facebook