When we talk about justice, who are we talking about? In trying to make the world a better place, we have to start with an understanding of who we are concerned for, and why. One of Judaism's most ancient answers to this question can be summed up in three words: the stranger, the widow, and the orphan.
1. What does it mean to "oppress"? What does it mean to "wrong" a person? Why are we warned against both?
2. What is the punishment for these actions? Why?
3. What does this text teach us about the nature of oppression and punishment? Do you agree? Is this always true?
Translation | Original |
---|---|
“You shall not wrong or oppress the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” You shall not wrong with words, and you shall not oppress financially... [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek] |
מכילתא דרבי ישמעאל משפטים - מסכתא דנזיקין פרשה יח
|
1. What does it mean to wrong someone with words?
2. What does it mean to opress someone financially?
2. How do we wrong immigrants today with words? How are they oppressed financially?
1. According to Rav Hirsch, why are we commanded not to oppress or wrong a stranger?
2. How does stripping someone of their rights lead to bondage and oppression?
3. Can you think of examples of ways that we oppress strangers today? How does this affect the stranger? How does it affect the oppressor?