Thinking out loud, the Internet version...

[gnomi]

So next Shabbat (27 October), I'm giving the d'var Torah (brief talk on the portion of the Torah read in synagogue that week) at seudah shlishit (literally, "the third meal" -- the third ritual meal of Shabbat (counting Friday dinner as 1, Saturday lunch as 2)) at Kadimah (our shul). I'm most likely going to speak on one verse: Beraishit (Genesis) 18:25

It would be sacrilege even to ascribe such an act to You - to kill the innocent with the guilty, letting the righteous and the wicked fare alike. It would be sacrilege to ascribe this to You! Shall the whole world's Judge not act justly?'

Translation from Navigating the Bible

What does "justice" mean in Judaism? Is the translation "justice" proper for the Hebrew word "משׁפט"? Is the concept of "justice" that Avraham is using here different from the justice of the nations amongst whom Avraham lived, and if so, how? What *was* Avraham asking?

Comments

[tygerseye.livejournal.com]

I can't answer that question, but I just thought I'd mention that the concept of "justice" and "fairness" and law in general as it related to Judaism and to modern life is one of Beth's father's favorite topics. You guys could probably talk for hours about this one. ;-)

[cbpotts.livejournal.com]

Dude, if you host this, I'm so coming, just to watch.

It'd be like Wimbledon, with words.

(Well, and probably without Beth's dad in a white tennis skirt, but now we're just being silly)

[tygerseye.livejournal.com]

I'm treated to this kind of discussion nearly every Friday night at dinner... last week was about giving money, how and why one should give to one's community (any community, religious or otherwise), why even a tiny amount is not negligible and why the town we live in - which is quite wealthy overall - isn't more philanthropic or generous.

Believe me, I know these two could go on for hours. Heh.