טור חושן משפט סימן צט
תשובה לא"א הרא"ש ז"ל תורת אמת וחוקים טובים ומשפטים ישרים נתן הקב"ה לישראל ע"י משה רע"ה דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום צדיקים ילכו בם ופושעים יכשלו בם והפושעים המתנכלים לעקש הישרה ולהגדיל שקל במאזני מרמה חייבין חכמי ישראל לסכל עצתם ולבטל מחשבותם ועל זה נאמר צדק צדק תרדוף
The answer of my master and my father, the Rosh, may his memory be for a blessing, The Torah is true (Mal. 2:6) and her laws are good, her ordinances just, given by God to Israel through the hand of Moses (v. Neh 9:13). All her ways are comforting and all her paths are peace (Pro 3:17). The righteous walk with them (the rules of Torah) and sinners stumble in them.(Hosea 14:10) And sinners diverge [from the ways of Torah] and cheat and increase their wealth by defrauding the righteous. The sages of Israel are obligated to thwart their deception and abrogate their plans. On this it is said, Justice, justice thou shall pursue (Deut. 16:20) [Translation by Rabbi Rachael Bregman]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. According to this text, what is the meaning of the commandment “Justice, justice you shall pursue”? Upon whom is this obligation?
2. What actions does this text associate with sinning? Why?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)