Personal socialist ideology shouldn’t prevent exploring Judaism; Torah contains great principles of social justice; tzedakah based on justice not just compassion; “He who has pity on the poor, lends unto G-d.”
By the Grace of G-d
3rd of Adar, 5734
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Miss ...
Institute of Cancer Research
London, S.W.3, England
...It came as something of a surprise to me to read in your letter that Socialism prevented you from learning about Judaism. It is noteworthy that one of the first laws dealt with in the Torah, immediately after the Revelation at Sinai, was the legislation relating to an individual who sold himself into slavery. Some of the laws are designed to protect the individual’s material and spiritual well-being, personal dignity and so forth, to the extent that our Sages observed that, “He who acquires a slave, acquires a master for himself.” In any case, the maximum period of servitude could not exceed six years. Furthermore, the Torah emphasizes the basic principle that all Jews have only one master, namely G-d Himself, stating, “For you are My servants, whom I have brought out of the land of Egypt.” In other words, whatever the difference in the material position, all are basically free and the only servitude they have to render is to G-d.
Similarly, the concept of tzedoko, the help that one has to give to another both materially and spiritually, is based not simply on human compassion, which is a relative term, but on justice. Moreover, in this connection, it is written, “He who has pity on the poor, lends unto G-d.” (Prov. 19:17). This means that when a person helps a poor man, he makes G-d his debtor, so to speak, for G-d takes upon Himself the obligation to repay the money and effort expended in behalf of the poor man and to do so in a generous measure.
This is hardly the place to enlarge upon this topic, but I trust that it will suffice to indicate the great principles of social justice which the Torah has made basic to Judaism. In any case, you could discuss these matters further with your Lubavitch friends which you mention.
I trust that you will go from strength to strength in your advancement in Judaism and at a more rapid pace, in order to make up for lost time in the past. It is well to bear in mind that since you have a special influence in a certain circle, every personal advancement of yours will be multiplied in the persons who will benefit from it.
Wishing you a happy and inspiring Purim,
With blessing,
