‘She’s more righteous than I’

If I were asked to select the most compelling assertion in the Torah, I’d likely select the two-word Hebrew-utterance in this week’s portion of Torah. It’s when Judah says “she’s more righteous than I” (tzad-ka mi-meni) (Gen. 38:26). He’s talking about his daughter-in-law Tamar. A woman he had been ready to execute, when he learned that she’d wrongfully become pregnant. 

Just to refresh your memories, Judah had wronged Tamar, condemning her to remain childless. After she disguises herself as a harlot, and Judah cohabits with her, the way Tamar makes it clear that Judah is the one who made her pregnant is telling. She doesn’t do it publicly. She doesn’t shame him. Instead, Tamar sends ahead some of Judah’s personal items. “By the man to whom this seal and staff belong, I am pregnant” (Gen 38:25). 

Tamar gave Judah a chance to be worthy. To realize and own-up-to his transgression. To be humble. And Judah took it. He recognized true righteousness when he saw it. And with this, Judah credentials himself for leadership. A quality of leadership that actually makes Judaism get named after Judah. 

That is, to be humble. To believe more in the better-nature of others. To trust in their inherent goodness. To trust that their thirst for tender-righteousness runs deeper than any delight in watching others squirm and suffer. This turning point for Judah, made possible by Tamar, comes just in time for us. 

As we prepare to kindle the Hanukkah lights on Sunday night, may the Shabbat lights we kindle tonight emit an inner-glow within us that gently whispers “She is more righteous than I.” And in seeing the abiding worthiness of others, may we glimpse it within ourselves.