Everyone seems to have a grandparent who would bemoan the ” good old days” when hard work and effort were a daily exhibit of the virtues of well lived life; when technology meant doing things by hand, like changing the channel on the tv and when walking to school meant walking uphill in both directions. I know we may roll our eyes at the quaintness of the sentiments, but I couldn’t help myself from laughing as I reflect on this past week in Jerusalem.
I began my week studying at the Shalom Hartman Institute, a non-demoninational, high level Beit Midrash, a place of serious Jewish learning, in a program specifically for rabbis. I joined colleagues from all over the world, about 150 or so, for 10 days of study around the topic of justice and personal and national identity. My first day I walked from hotel near the corner of Ben Yehuda street and King George street to Hartman, which is located just south west of the Jerusalem theater. What I didn’t realize, was that walk is literally uphill in both directions. And a gradual incline it is not. What I would discover both in the classroom and on my daily walks is that uphill in both directions is really one of many metaphors for Jerusalem, it’s people, and in many respects, the state of Israel and the Jewish people.
The week began, (after getting lost twice) with Rabbi Donniel Hartman teaching and by examining the idea of justice and righteousness and the difficulty in determining a precise translation and definition. The exploration of Jewish sources was, predictably, vague. Struggling to understand what our tradition is trying to say to us as a people and as individuals when it comes to acting with justice and righteousness was nothing if not an uphill battle. The day concluded with the first of three sessions with Tal Becker, an advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dealing with the U.S. – Israel relationship, another point of walking uphill, at least lately. The following days, former Member of the Knesset Ruth Calderon taught about personal righteousness in interpersonal relationships, Melillah Hellner, a Professor at Hebrew University taught about the all consuming nature of doing justice and righteousness, Dr. Moshe Halbertal spoke about concepts of tikkun olam, and Dr. Rachel Korazim taught about 3 trails that shaped the state of Israel. What a week of learning!
On the long walks back to my hotel (uphill), I was able to ponder the learning and try to frame it in some meaningful way. I realized that justice and righteousness are terms with fluid definitions, often in the hands of the beholder. I realized that Judaism is so deeply concerned with doing justice and righteousness, but never seems to be made manifest in a linear, clear or decisive manner. I realized that the State of Israel struggles with its own definition of justice and righteousness, often at odds with itself, with Jewish tradition, with its neighbors and with history. Is it enough to struggle? I wonder. Can we be righteous and not do justice? I don’t know. Can we execute justice without being righteous? Definitely. What do we need more of? If we are broken, personally in our configurations of justice and righteousness, can we possibly make it happen for others?
As the days went on, and my average number of daily steps nearing 17,000, the weight of the uphill battle seemed heavier. What a responsibility we have as Jews, commanded to do justice and righteousness. How poorly we seem to be doing, and yet how incredible we seem to be doing as well. Uphill in both directions. So much work to do. So much wrong to right. So much pain to salve. And then, it was Shabbat….not a day off, but a day up; a day to renew and refresh and then right back to the work!
I look forward to this week and the uphill walks I will encounter.