Justice

“One who saves a single life saves the world entire”

It’s a beautiful day today.  I’ve been cooped up in my apartment in NYC for the most difficult winter we’ve had in over a decade.  The snow and ice is melted and something was driving me to take out the car and drive to my favorite suburban grocery store, even though I really didn’t need anything. Just to top off some supplies.

I arrived at Shoprite Commack. Noticed a bit of a crowd near the entrance. There were a bunch of high school students milling about the entrance. “What kind of fresh hell is this?”, I asked myself.

Usually when groups set up in front of the supermarket they have a schtick and are ‘collecting money’ for some “good cause” story. If you walk past them you feel guilty, however I have a PhD in Jewish Guilt (earned it from my grandmother), so that never works with me.  Being a New York City Resident I push right past them, I do NOT contribute money and I don’t listen to stories.  At least not much.  I find it fulfilling to rescue Turtles and Cats (and an occasional dog) and autistic children.  Those that can’t speak for themselves are unable to ask for help and are the most deserving and most in need.

But this shy, softspoken young man was different.  He wasn’t asking for money, he wasn’t asking for help and he didn’t have a schtick.  He handed me a shopping list of essentials that a food pantry needed and reviewed it with me.  That’s unique.  In this age of our celebrity leaders taking credit for other peoples work, reducing every relationship to a transaction for money or power,  and saying one thing while doing the opposite, here was a simple, honest message:  White rice and cat food for a food pantry (which he obviously didn’t need for himself).  He was standing in the stiff cool breeze on a Saturday morning, approaching strangers, speaking for those unable to speak for themselves. He could have easily been doing something more fun.  Lately we’re not used to seeing this kind of strength or character. They were collecting for a Jewish Pantry, yet I’m quite sure they weren’t all jewish. Need is need. justice is justice.

In Hebrew the word is Tzedek / Tzedakah translates into righteousness, fairness, charity or justice. It is a central principal in Judaism. We might call it “charity” in English, but it has deep roots and is almost impossible to translate. I will attempt to here.

Mamonides enumerates eight Degrees of giving. Each of Maimonides’ eight levels represents a different approach to giving, illustrating that charity is not only about the act itself but also about the manner in which it’s done and the lasting impact it has on both the giver and the recipient. These levels emphasize a progression from basic acts of charity to more altruistic, empowering forms of support. This philosophy focuses on selflessness, humility, and elevating the dignity of the recipient.

1. Giving Grudgingly.
2. Giving less than you should, but pleasantly.
3. Giving AFTER being asked.
4. Giving Before you are asked.
5. Giving Anonymously to an UNknown recipient.
6. Giving Anonymously to a known recipient.
7. Giving openly when both parties are unaware of each others identity.
8. Giving and Establishing a self-sustaining individual, business, partnership or non-profit venture.

What is not mentioned in this enumeration and is what is considered one of the greatest acts, the mitzvah of leviyat hamet, burying the dead. This is considered the ultimate level of justice/charity because one has no hope this act will ever be repaid by the recipient.

What these young people, a much maligned group, were doing was giving openly of their time, while asking people to give openly of life sustaining goods, to a self-sustaining non-profit venture while remaining anonymous. I direct this to the students at the entrance to the building: YOU OFFERED ME THE OPPORUTNITY TO participate in the highest form of justice, when all I set out to do an hour earlier and 50 miles away was to go for a drive and pick up some pepperoni and tomatoes. What a great gift you gave me. Thank You.

At the exit the group was collecting what people gave. It was an impressive collection of goods, and there was a feeling of gratitude, from the givers and the collectors. Those that didn’t participate weren’t shamed or probably even aware.

My interaction with these young people were an invitation to participate in the highest form of justice. In my 65 years, i’ve never seen anything like this so carefully, passioniately and lovingly done.

I spoke to the adult sponsor of the event. l learned that these were honor students from Half Hollow Hills High School East and West, and some others. While i’ve lived in NYC for the last 35 years, I am a native Long Islander. When I started Half Hollow Hills High School in 1974 there was no east and west, only what would later be called East. Your event touched a deep part of my being. I felt like i was home for a short while. While we are separated by 50 years in time, I feel solidarity with the people from my home. I’m proud of what you did, what you accomplished and the way that you did it. These types of occurances create echos down the corridors of time. I hope that someday, decades in the future, something similar touches the core of your lives as wonderfully as this did mine.

Lest someone think that justice and charity is reserved for religions, this excerpt was written by the great 20th century philospher, Martin Buber, who lived with Chasidic jews for many years (his book, “I and Thou” should be required reading):

Thank you all for making my year so far. In case you’re wondering, I was the bald, fat old guy in the bright orange hoodie.

Keep doing what you’re doing. You never know if you may be 1 of the 36 upon who the world depends.

So Who Are the Lamed Vav Tzadikim?

Dan Scolnick

Half Hollow Hills High School (East)

Class of 1977