Rabbi Weitzman: Mission, Vision, and Our Sacred Future

This article first appeared in our Jan/Feb '26 edition of The Bulletin

One of the most stirring commands in the Torah appears in Parashat Shoftim: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof - Justice, justice shall you pursue.” Three short Hebrew words that have shaped Jewish thought and action for generations.

The doubling of the word tzedek immediately caught the attention of our sages. Torah is economical with language, so the repetition must be intentional. One interpretation teaches that justice must be pursued through just means; we cannot achieve noble goals by compromising our values. Another interpretation suggests that justice is not a one-time accomplishment but a lifelong pursuit - it requires persistence, humility, and constant renewal.

A third interpretation looks inward, teaching that the command addresses two realms of justice: the justice we pursue in the wider world and the justice we cultivate within ourselves and our communities. This dimension feels especially resonant for us at Congregation Beth Emeth.

Outwardly, our community is deeply committed to tzedek. Many of you volunteer in the region, support organizations that serve the vulnerable, and show up when our neighbors are in need. This outward-facing justice work is part of what makes Beth Emeth such a proud and principled presence in the Capital Region.

But the Torah also calls us to look inward - toward justice within our own gates. What does the pursuit of tzedek look like inside our congregation? It looks like creating a culture where every person feels seen, valued, and welcomed. It looks like speaking with kindness even across disagreements, showing patience when tensions arise, and grounding our decisions in integrity. It means striving for transparency, shared responsibility, and trust as we shape the future of Jewish life in Albany.

This inner pursuit of justice is quieter than public activism. It does not come with headlines or rallies. But it is no less sacred. Judaism teaches that justice begins not only in the public square but at home - in our relationships, our institutions, and our daily interactions.

As we continue our cultural and communal work at Beth Emeth - strengthening a mission-centered understanding of giving, deepening learning and prayer, caring for congregants across life stages - I see the words tzedek, tzedek tirdof offering powerful guidance.

Moving from a person-centered culture of giving to a community-centered one is, at its core, a pursuit of justice. It affirms that our synagogue belongs to all of us, across generations. It reminds us that sustaining Jewish life is a shared responsibility - not held by a few, but carried collectively. Generosity takes many forms: showing up, volunteering, supporting programs, welcoming newcomers, lending a hand, and giving financially when we can. All of this is tzedek.

The pursuit of justice also shapes how we talk with one another about our hopes and concerns for Beth Emeth. It means listening deeply, acknowledging different experiences, and remaining anchored in compassion even when we disagree. Judaism does not mandate unanimity; it calls us to argue with respect and love.

In this season, as winter invites reflection and renewal, the Torah’s words provide a spiritual compass. They ask us to consider:

• What injustices in the world am I being called to address?

• What relationships in my life need healing or greater understanding?

• How can I help make Beth Emeth an even more just, compassionate, and mission-driven community?

• Where in my daily life can I pursue justice with more intention?

Often the pursuit of tzedek is not dramatic. It can be as small - and as profound - as showing up for someone who is grieving, offering support to a family in need, or choosing empathy in a tense moment. It looks like helping a child feel confident in Hebrew school, checking in on an older member, or celebrating a teen stepping into Jewish adulthood. These small acts do not make headlines, but they build the world we want to live in.

Our tradition teaches that we are not expected to finish the work, but neither are we free to turn away from it. Justice is a shared, ongoing, sacred pursuit - one that shapes who we are and the community we strive to be.

My blessing for us in the months ahead is this: may we hear the doubled call of tzedek as an invitation and a guide. May we act with courage in the world and with compassion at home. And may our synagogue continue to be a place where justice is not only taught, but lived.