Not Rushing to Judgment: Lessons from Jewish Wisdom

(Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash)

As Jews, we always want to be on the right side, on the side of the victim, not the oppressor. I say this because of the recent controversy regarding Mahmoud Khalil, one of the main organizers of the Columbia University protests against Israel and Zionism, and, as events played out, harassment of Jews on campus. ICE has detained him, as he is not a citizen, but he has a green card and, therefore, has certain rights as a legal resident according to the Constitution.

I have to be honest; I was not one of the rabbis who blasted statements to the world, saying how wrong this action was and how absolutely sure I was that I was correct.

The reason I didn’t?

Because I don’t know what Mahmoud Khalil did, who he is connected to, who has funded his initiatives, and more. According to the AJC, “Students for Justice for Palestine is fiscally sponsored and supported by American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), an organization that, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, has been linked to Hamas. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has called for federal investigations into the funding sources of SJP and AMP and their possible ties to Hamas.”

Perhaps we can learn how to handle this news through the wisdom of Jewish mysticism.

When we look at the Sefirot (the ten divine attributes or emanations through which God interacts with the world, according to Kabbalah), we see a model that reflects both the Divine and human experience. Just as God is expressed through these attributes, we, too, are made up of attributes such as Chochmah (wisdom) and Binah (understanding). Each of these qualities exists in dynamic tension with its opposite, creating a balance that shapes our character and actions.

By RootOfAllLight – based on File: Kabbalistic Tree of Life (Sephiroth) 2.svg by AnonMoos, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77842848

For example, Gevurah, which means strength and justice, is on the opposite side of Hesed, which means love and mercy.

As Jews, we tend to lean towards the Hesed part, but too much Hesed, too much love, is just as dangerous as too much strength and justice. I have a lot of questions, and so do the courts handling this case now.

This moment teaches us that justice and strength are also needed, along with love and compassion. Justice takes time and should also be impartial. In our country, the symbol for justice is a blindfolded figure with equal scales in front of them. As we read in Leviticus 19:15, “You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich.”

So while I am concerned about this recent arrest because it seemingly violates laws of temporary residents, I am also mindful that I don’t know all the facts, and neither does anyone reading this post, but, soon enough, there will be judges who will look at the facts, and render judgement.

No matter how many posts we write or protests on either side, the judiciary has the final say on this issue.

May our judges embody the qualities of truth, impartiality, and righteousness so that our courts may uphold not only the letter of the law but its spirit as well.

For as Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel taught: “On three things the world stands—on judgment, on truth, and on peace.” (Pirkei Avot 1:18)

But as the wheels of justice turn, I can offer a prayer:

A Prayer for the Judiciary

Melekh HaMishpat, Sovereign of Justice

We stand before You in prayer, mindful of the sacred duty of those who sit in judgment.

You have commanded us: “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20), reminding us that the pursuit of justice is not optional—it is the foundation upon which society rests.

May those entrusted with upholding the law be guided by wisdom and integrity.

May they not be swayed by wealth or power, nor show favoritism to the mighty or the meek, but rather judge fairly, as it is written: “You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich” (Leviticus 19:15).

Grant our judges the strength to stand firm against corruption and influence, for as our sages have taught, “Through judges that judge between people does the world continue. Because were it not for law, the more powerful would conquer.” (Tur, Choshen Mishpat 1)

Help them to see clearly, to discern truth from falsehood, and to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied. We pray that our judiciary remains independent and fair, that its rulings reflect truth and righteousness, and that all who seek justice—citizen and stranger alike—find and receive it before the law, as the Torah commands: “You shall have one standard for stranger and citizen alike: for I the LORD am your God.” (Leviticus 24:22).

May our judges embody the qualities of truth, impartiality, and righteousness, so that our courts may uphold not only the letter of the law, but its spirit as well. For as Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel taught: “On three things the world stands—on judgment, on truth, and on peace.” (Pirkei Avot 1:18)

And so we pray:
May our pursuit of justice bring peace.
May our courts be a beacon of fairness and righteousness.
And may we, as a society, be ever vigilant in preserving justice for all.
Amen.