Devarim 16:18: Judges and enforcers you shall give to yourself in all of your doors, i.e., cities that Hashem your Lord gives to you and your tribes. And they will judge the nation a right judgment.

The word Tzedek is mentioned a lot in this week’s Parshah. This word is the root of the word Tzaddik, which refers to a righteous person. The next Pesukim state that a judge should not take any bribes: “For the bribe blinds the eyes of the wise… Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof, righteous righteousness you shall pursue…” There is a lot in this word, since there is an entire world that depends on it.

The word itself describes the first letter of the word, Tzadi or Tzadik. In Lashon Kodesh, the word Tzad means ‘side,’ meaning that there are two sides to a coin and we choose to take a certain position, a specific side. Which side do we veer to? The side of righteousness, rather than the ‘other side.’ We see this word come up as well in other places, like (Vayikra 19:15) “B’Tzedek Tishpot Amisecha, with righteousness you shall judge your friend.” (Vayikra 19:36) “Moznei Tzedek, Avnei Tzedek, right scales and right stones (for weighing).” There are two ways to measure and judge; we should always choose to side with Tzedek.

We are familiar with the Pesukim, “Hashem Tze’va’os Imanu… Hashem Tze’va’os Ashrei…” The word Tze’va’os (צבאות) is from the same word as צבא, army. When an army comes upon a nation they must come with a righteous intent; even if their actions will be to kill and conquer, they must initiate their battle from a source of righteousness. And that is why the word itself speaks of their intention, צ-באת Tzedek Ba, Comes with righteousness. Hashem too, as he sends His army to us, like the legions of Malachim, Galaxies, Sun, Moon, and stars, He........

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