Shofetim- Morality, Virtue, Justice, Decency, Uprightness, Goodness, Etc., Etc., Etc.

Tzedek tzedek tirdof.                        Justice justice you shall pursue.

Tzedek tzedek tirdof. These words have become as much a motto for the Jewish people as the Shema. We are so often told the reasons for our actions are “because we were slaves in Egypt.” We interpret this as a call to act righteously, justly, and to pursue that which is fair, moral, and proper. 

Tzedek tzedek tirdof. How to translate this? Tirdof- to pursue, to run after, is clear. There is an urgency in the word. The repetition of tzedek also implies urgency, a need that must be satisfied. Tzedek tzedek tirdof. Justice, justice you shall pursue is the most common translation, but there is so much more wrapped up in these words. The ta’amin, the notes by which we chant the Torah, are quick, urgent. There is no comma between Tzedek and tzedek. The repetition of the word is not a stutter, but a second affirmation of the urgency in this command. 

In the time of the giving of the Torah, the meaning was clear. But all who study in multiple languages know traduttore traditore; Italian for the ‘translator is a traitor’. Even when seeking to understand more, we limit our understanding. Tzedek is most often translated in this verse as ‘justice’, but normally it is translated as ‘righteousness’.

Tzedek tzedek tirdof- Righteousness righteousness you shall urgently pursue. That is to say morality, virtue, justice, decency, uprightness, goodness, integrity, uprightness, rectitude, and honesty*

During this time from Av to Elul to Tishrei and the Yamim Noraim, we are reminded of the damage done when we lay aside the urgent pursuit of justice and righteousness, and how important it is that we explore the full meaning of tzedek in our lives.

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* List from the Encarta World English Dictionary