Do the Right Thing. Do it All the Time. – A poem for parsha Shoftim (Aliyah 1)

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Justice, justice shall you pursue . . .

Justice – the concept so important to pursue
they said the word twice.

They listed the laws and were very specific
on when you should turn right, and when

you should turn left, and when you
should head straight down the path

without thinking of succumbing to
the temptations of your peripheral vision.

They told you who would make the
big calls and surely there was a stone pelting

in your future if you didn’t take the words
of the judges seriously.

Justice is for men and women. Yes, in a rare
display of egalitarianism women are

called out as liable to pursue justice too.
No law school for the judges…

They just inherited the responsibility
because of their last name.

We should pursue justice with the same
automatic imperative. If you have a last name

or a first name, or have ever been called
by a name, or used a name to call out someone else

then justice (justice) should be your bag
so that you may live

These poems are offered free for your enjoyment. If you use them as part of an event, meeting, educational or liturgical setting, please consider tipping the author.

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