Rabbi Yaakov Raskin | The divine blueprint for justice

IN AUGUST 1957, two young Jewish men disembarked in Kingston at what was then known as the Palisadoes Airport. Alone in a new country, the men were rabbinical students on a mission to share Jewish texts and build personal connections with members of the local Jewish community. One of those young rabbis was my grandfather, Rabbi Leibel Raskin, who recalled that people in Jamaica thirsted for more Jewish knowledge and a greater connection to G-d and their heritage.

What motivated my grandfather and his colleague rabbi, Yehuda Krinsky to travel to the Caribbean with no contacts and no money when he could have stayed in the comfort of his Brooklyn home and continued his rabbinical studies?

The answer is that he was sent by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the then leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish movement.

July 9 marked 30 years since the passing of the Rebbe, who is considered the most influential rabbi in modern history. The Rebbe inspired tens of thousands of people, including me, to become communal leaders, spreading Jewish wisdom and teachings in places around the world.

While my grandfather only stayed for two weeks, 57 years later, in March 2014, I moved to Jamaica with the intent to stay with my wife Mushky. I came for the same reason as he did – to spread the Torah’s teachings and facilitate Jewish life, which has a 400 year history on this island.

On the 30th anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing, I wanted to share some of his teachings and why he was so influential. The Rebbe was a tremendous orator, and spoke for over 11,000 hours about all topics connected to Judaism, Torah, current events, politics, morality, and how to live a life of meaning and purpose.

Natural laws

One of the Rebbe’s core teachings is that, “The world, which seems to run according to its own natural laws, is not independent. It has a Creator, who has not left it unattended. God is on earth as He is in heaven.” The Rebbe taught that through our service to God, we demonstrate that the spiritual and the physical are intertwined, making everyday life spiritual and holy, thereby allowing a space for God to dwell in the world.

The Rebbe often quoted the great Jewish scholar, Maimonides, who taught that the world hangs in balance between good and evil, light and dark, and even just one single good deed can tip the scales. Each act of kindness, every gesture of goodwill, contributes to creating an environment where truth, goodness and kindness can flourish.

One topic the Rebbe spoke of often was Israel, offering guidance and advice to many Israeli political, military and social leaders. Benjamin Netanyahu — the current prime minister of Israel — met the Rebbe several times during his political career. Famously, the Rebbe told him that “you will go into a house of lies, but remember that in a hall of perfect darkness, if you light one small candle, its precious light will be seen from afar, by everyone. Your mission is to light a candle for truth and for the Jewish people.”

Recently, the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague has signalled its intention to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and several other leaders. This draws attention to the role and integrity of courts of justice in the modern world.

Significant matters

We often entrust courts of law with significant matters, relying on them to act as impartial bodies. However, as the Rebbe shared, these institutions represent a “house of lies” and it is our job to shine a candle in those dark places.

At its core, justice ensures that societal norms and laws align with the divine will of God. As such, every society is obligated to create courts that enforce local laws while adhering to universal moral principles, making these courts earthly venues where divinity is discerned and applied.

But why does God not dispense justice directly? Simply put, while justice is God’s domain, we, as active participants in society, are charged with correcting societal wrongs and act as partners in the act of sustaining G-d’s creation.

The mere existence of courts, however, is insufficient. The integrity and moral compass of these institutions are paramount. The prophet Amos condemned those who “turn justice into wormwood” and “cast down righteousness to the earth” (Amos 5:7). This biblical warning reminds us that justice must remain pure and free from personal bias or political agendas.

The situation at The Hague, where the ICC is tasked with addressing severe global crimes, highlights this challenge. It is critical that every judicial body, whether local or international, like the ICC, not only claims to uphold justice but truly embodies it. Their actions must be scrutinised to ensure they meet the highest standards of fairness and impartiality.

This challenge extends to each of us. We are all called to support and sustain judicial systems and hold them accountable when they falter. With every act of justice, we restore harmony to our world and align it with a higher order.

Profound truth

Even when justice fails us, we all have the power to spread light and kindness. This is a profound truth that transcends any earthly courtroom. By embodying the values of compassion and righteousness, we access a higher source of justice — a divine justice that stems from God.

When we choose to be beacons of light, we bring divine justice into our world. Our actions, no matter how small, have the power to make a significant impact. We can build a society grounded in kindness, fairness, and integrity, ensuring that the light of divine justice shines brightly for all to see.

So, let us each do our part in ensuring that justice maintains its spiritual integrity and aligns with divine principles. Through our collective efforts, we can create a world where kindness and fairness prevail. In doing so, we honour not only the divine mandate but also the legacy of the Rebbe, who dedicated his life to spreading light and truth. Let us carry forward this mission, transforming our world into a place where true justice and righteousness thrive.