I just needed to drop you a quick note letting you know how upset I am. I've been following the commentary on Judge Sonia Sotomayor, who has been nominated by President Obama to take a seat on the Supreme Court. Why is it that some people are so scared of having a Justice who can empathize and be compassionate? Wasn't it You who taught us to always temper our justice with compassion? I don't understand why an honest reading and rendering of the law requires us to lose our humanity.
Rabbi Mark Glickman explains that, "One of the most common (names for You in the Bible) is Elohim, derived from an ancient word for "judge." Elohim is the God of justice. Behave and Elohim will reward you; misbehave and you can count on Elohim to send you your just desserts ... and they won't be very sweet."
He goes on to write that another name for You is YHVH: "When the Bible refers to God as YHVH, God often behaves with kindness and compassion. This is the God who nurtures and cares for us, who grieves when we misbehave and weeps when we suffer. When our world collapses, Elohim might tell us what we did to mess it all up; YHVH will embrace us, whisper comforting words, and assure us that it will all be OK."
Rabbi Glickman concludes by teaching that, "we Jews take our monotheism pretty seriously and therefore see these two divine names as each describing one aspect of God's behavior. Sometimes, God metes out justice; sometimes, God shows comfort and affection."
God, we should be able to be compassionate in our justice like you are. Please help us to reach that place. We need it now more than ever.
David
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