Dear Friends,
“Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue!” (Deuteronomy 16:20)
Normally, I read the lines in this week’s torah portion as a charge for us to deeply seek and strive towards a just society, one where all people, irrespective of race or gender, socio-economic standing or educational achievement, have equal opportunities and recourse before the law.
Yet, this year when this week’s Torah rolls around, with these famous words, I can’t help but think of the continued reports of self-aggrandizement by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
It seems that every week we read of further financial benefits, glitzy toys and rare, expensive privileges Justice Thomas has been accumulating or enjoying, at the hands of billionaires who curry his favor. And, furthermore, Justice Thomas repeatedly has claimed that judicial ethics guidelines preclude necessitating his reporting such gifts as either income, or as gifts on his annual financial disclosure documentation.
Whereas each of us, regular, check-earning, law-abiding citizens are required to demonstrate all of our income and are limited by law as to deductions and requirements to report revenue. Personally, I received notice yesterday that my financial institution issued a corrected tax document form this year’s accounting requirements. I will send it to my accountant today.
This week, however, when I read the words, “Justice, Justice, You shall pursue!” I read it as a sarcastic diatribe towards our most senior Justice on the Supreme Court. It appears that as much as he may professionally pursue legal justice and legal decisions, he also has spent his years on the bench personally pursuing private riches, swanky relationships and pricey toys.
It seems like he pursued perks where he should have eschewed conflicts.
It seems like instead of Thomas seeking justice, it was Justice Thomas seeking accoutrements.
It seems like justice was soiled when the Justice forgot what his role – and his role model – demanded.
I pray that at some time again in the future, we can reread this week’s Torah portion without the sullying effect of the seat on the highest bench being soiled for riches.
Shabbat Shalom, and Shanah Tovah Um’Tukah (For a Sweet New Year),
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
“Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue!” (Deuteronomy 16:20)
Normally, I read the lines in this week’s torah portion as a charge for us to deeply seek and strive towards a just society, one where all people, irrespective of race or gender, socio-economic standing or educational achievement, have equal opportunities and recourse before the law.
Yet, this year when this week’s Torah rolls around, with these famous words, I can’t help but think of the continued reports of self-aggrandizement by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
It seems that every week we read of further financial benefits, glitzy toys and rare, expensive privileges Justice Thomas has been accumulating or enjoying, at the hands of billionaires who curry his favor. And, furthermore, Justice Thomas repeatedly has claimed that judicial ethics guidelines preclude necessitating his reporting such gifts as either income, or as gifts on his annual financial disclosure documentation.
Whereas each of us, regular, check-earning, law-abiding citizens are required to demonstrate all of our income and are limited by law as to deductions and requirements to report revenue. Personally, I received notice yesterday that my financial institution issued a corrected tax document form this year’s accounting requirements. I will send it to my accountant today.
This week, however, when I read the words, “Justice, Justice, You shall pursue!” I read it as a sarcastic diatribe towards our most senior Justice on the Supreme Court. It appears that as much as he may professionally pursue legal justice and legal decisions, he also has spent his years on the bench personally pursuing private riches, swanky relationships and pricey toys.
It seems like he pursued perks where he should have eschewed conflicts.
It seems like instead of Thomas seeking justice, it was Justice Thomas seeking accoutrements.
It seems like justice was soiled when the Justice forgot what his role – and his role model – demanded.
I pray that at some time again in the future, we can reread this week’s Torah portion without the sullying effect of the seat on the highest bench being soiled for riches.
Shabbat Shalom, and Shanah Tovah Um’Tukah (For a Sweet New Year),
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
