What is our responsibility to others, particularly when we exercise power over them and to what extent are we limited in our ability to do whatever we want. This is a fundamental ethical question that lies at the heart of Jewish moral thought. John Stuart Mill, who helped lay the foundation for liberal, democratic societies suggested, to paraphrase, that the freedom to swing one’s arms ended at the other person’s nose. This is a neat summary of the American view of individual freedom and collective responsibility.
This fundamental ethical question lies at the heart of Jewish moral thought and the Jewish view is different from the Enlightenment one and can be seen in this week’s Torah portion, which is packed with mitzvot: 72 out of the 613. They include, how to treat female prisoners, taken in war, lost domestic animals, rebellious children, treatment of a mother bird, loans, security and repayment. What they all have in common is the imperative that we are responsible for others and must take active responsibility for their well being. The commandment for building a railing around one’s roof is a good example: “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.” (Deuteronomy 22:8) In other words, we are obligated to build a railing around the roof of our house to prevent anyone from falling off and dying. Commenting on this verse, Rashi (11th C. Germany) wrote, “his death should not be occasioned by your agency, for meritorious things are brought about through the agency of good men and bad things only through the agency of evil men”
According to Rashi and Jewish moral thought, a good person takes care to make sure they cause no harm. They don’t just find ways to avoid harming others, they seek to prevent danger and harm to others. This is fundamental positive morality. Societies are strengthened by people’s care for others. It is a rejection of individualism and an embrace of collective responsibility as the foundation of a just society.
Ki Teitzei, Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19; Parashat HaShavua for Shabbat, September 14, 2024
September 13, 2024 by tbhrich • Drashot
What is our responsibility to others, particularly when we exercise power over them and to what extent are we limited in our ability to do whatever we want. This is a fundamental ethical question that lies at the heart of Jewish moral thought. John Stuart Mill, who helped lay the foundation for liberal, democratic societies suggested, to paraphrase, that the freedom to swing one’s arms ended at the other person’s nose. This is a neat summary of the American view of individual freedom and collective responsibility.
This fundamental ethical question lies at the heart of Jewish moral thought and the Jewish view is different from the Enlightenment one and can be seen in this week’s Torah portion, which is packed with mitzvot: 72 out of the 613. They include, how to treat female prisoners, taken in war, lost domestic animals, rebellious children, treatment of a mother bird, loans, security and repayment. What they all have in common is the imperative that we are responsible for others and must take active responsibility for their well being. The commandment for building a railing around one’s roof is a good example: “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if anyone should fall from it.” (Deuteronomy 22:8) In other words, we are obligated to build a railing around the roof of our house to prevent anyone from falling off and dying. Commenting on this verse, Rashi (11th C. Germany) wrote, “his death should not be occasioned by your agency, for meritorious things are brought about through the agency of good men and bad things only through the agency of evil men”
According to Rashi and Jewish moral thought, a good person takes care to make sure they cause no harm. They don’t just find ways to avoid harming others, they seek to prevent danger and harm to others. This is fundamental positive morality. Societies are strengthened by people’s care for others. It is a rejection of individualism and an embrace of collective responsibility as the foundation of a just society.