Since Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman ascended to the presidency of Yeshiva University, he has introduced a new values scheme for the university. In his system there are five Core Torah Values that form the basis of the University's values under his leadership. The Core Torah Values are as follows:
- Emet/Truth - [Orange] - We believe in truth, and humanity’s ability to discover it.
- Adam/Infinite Human Worth - [Purple] - We believe in the infinite worth of each and every human being.
- Chaim/Life - [Pink] - We believe in bringing values to life.
- Chesed/Compassion - [Green] - We believe in the responsibility to reach out to others in compassion.
- Zion/Redemption - [Blue] - We believe that humanity's purpose is to transform our world for the better and move history forward.
Though Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman has published a book called The Final Exam in which he explores the meaning of these values and how he developed them, I suspect that this isn't telling the full story. I firmly believe that there is a biblical precedent for each of these five Core Torah Values.
Torat Emet / Truth
(ו) תּוֹרַ֤ת אֱמֶת֙ הָיְתָ֣ה בְּפִ֔יהוּ וְעַוְלָ֖ה לֹֽא־נִמְצָ֣א בִשְׂפָתָ֑יו בְּשָׁל֤וֹם וּבְמִישׁוֹר֙ הָלַ֣ךְ אִתִּ֔י וְרַבִּ֖ים הֵשִׁ֥יב מֵעָוֺֽן׃
(6) Proper rulings were in his mouth, And nothing perverse was on his lips; He served Me with complete loyalty And held the many back from iniquity.
Torat Adam / Infinite Human Worth
(יט) וַתִּקְטַן֩ ע֨וֹד זֹ֤את בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ אדני יהוה וַתְּדַבֵּ֛ר גַּ֥ם אֶל־בֵּֽית־עַבְדְּךָ֖ לְמֵרָח֑וֹק וְזֹ֛את תּוֹרַ֥ת הָאָדָ֖ם אדני יהוה׃
(19) Yet even this, O Lord GOD, has seemed too little to You; for You have spoken of Your servant’s house also for the future. May that be the law for the people, O Lord GOD.
Torat Chaim / Life
(יד) תּוֹרַ֣ת חָ֭כָם מְק֣וֹר חַיִּ֑ים לָ֝ס֗וּר מִמֹּ֥קְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃
(14) The instruction of a wise man is a fountain of life, Enabling one to avoid deadly snares.
Torat Chesed / Compassion
(כו) פִּ֭יהָ פָּתְחָ֣ה בְחׇכְמָ֑ה וְת֥וֹרַת חֶ֝֗סֶד עַל־לְשׁוֹנָֽהּ׃
(26) Her mouth is full of wisdom, Her tongue with kindly teaching.
Torat Zion / Redemption
(ב) וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֗ים וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ ׀ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶל־הַר־יהוה וְאֶל־בֵּית֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיוֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹֽרְחֹתָ֑יו כִּ֤י מִצִּיּוֹן֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תוֹרָ֔ה וּדְבַר־יהוה מִירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃
(2) And the many nations shall go and shall say: “Come, Let us go up to the Mount of GOD, To the House of the God of Jacob; That we may be instructed in God’s ways, And that we may walk in godly paths.” For instruction shall come forth from Zion, The word of GOD from Jerusalem.