Adult Education Blog

Let justice well up like water, as it is written "the acts of justice and righteousness are more treasured to God than the offerings." Justice refers to the manner with which humans interact with one another, righteousness refers to the manner with which humans interact with God.

Justice is implanted within the mindset of every human being. Knowing that humans seek justice by their very nature, it is an essential ingredient in the sustainability of every moral society. Therefore, justice is compared to a well of water, whose source is internal and whose impact on the surroundings is incredible. Likewise, the source of justice is within each of us and we are meant to radiate that justice outwards.

Righteousness, in contrast, is not ingrained within every human, rather we nurture and develop that trait through our experience and relationship with God. This is similar to a stream, whose waters are not internal in nature, but rather gather there from the mountains and other external sources. Likewise, the source of righteousness is from without. Additionally, the waters of a stream are not expected to be the source for other bodies of water, rather they remain internally focused. Similarly, righteousness is meant to be developed and expressed as a form of ones personal religious journey...

In this light, the true purpose of the festival pilgrimage and offerings are the development and strengthening of justice and righteousness, not the offerings.

"There are those who are asking the devotees of Civil Rights, 'When will you be satisfied?'...No!, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until 'justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream'."

--Martin Luther King, "I Have a Dream" (1963)