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The Torah’s view of “social justice” is that we are responsible not only for our own actions but also of those who are dependent on us. If you own a dangerous animal, then you are responsible for your animal’s actions.

The Torah is very careful about the dignity of humans. Even a murderer his dignity respected.

The purpose of the Torah’s justice system is to make the victim whole. That if the victim loses an eye he is compensated by the culprit giving him the value of an eye. We do not blind the culprit.

The Torah reminds us that slaves have to be treated humanely because we are all created in the image of God.

If a Jew who is enslaved does not wish to go free in the Sabbatical year he is punished. The reason is that the Torah can only be observed by someone who is free. A slave is not a full person.

The Torah states that the purpose of the Jews leaving Egypt was that they were to serve God. Yet instead of the Jews building the tabernacle where they would serve God, God first gives them moral and ethical laws.

Morality which is not based on religion will lead to disaster. This is not to say that religion based morality can not be abused but a good religion will produce good people based on moral principles.

No where in the Torah does it just say to be a good person. It gives commands, that if followed will make one a good person.

As the Jews were getting ready to receive the 10 Commandments, they were commanded to wash their clothes. That they had to be appropriately dressed. This is to teach us that how we dress makes a difference.

Jethro is the source for the Jewish judicial system. What is amazing is that Moses took Jethro’s advice, both because he was a non-Jew and his father in law. This shows us that a truly great leader knows that he does not have all the answers.