Rabbi Joshua Yuter is Rabbi of the Stanton Street Shul in downtown New York City. He writes on his blog YUTOPIA. This article appears in the second issue of Conversations, the journal of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals.
Introduction
Increased awareness of Judaism's teachings on social justice is important. As advocates often point out, social justice is not external to Judaism but is pervasive throughout the laws and ethics of Jewish tradition. From the individual perspective, we believe that each human was created in the "reflection of the divine" (Bereishit 1:27), and as a people we are charged with being a "light unto the nations" in order to bring God's salvation across the earth (Yeshayahu 49:6). The sages of the Talmud introduced the doctrine of "Tikkun Olam," repairing the world, as a legitimate justification for legal innovations. From one point of view, all the commandments serve to achieve the end of perfecting ourselves and our society.
