Judaism & Justice (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B) : Revision Note

The nature of justice

What is the nature of justice?

• The nature of justice refers to principles and ideas about what is fair, right, and morally good in society

• Justice involves understanding:

  • how people should be treated

  • what rights they have

  • how fairness should be achieved in legal and social situations

• Different religions and philosophies offer various views on the nature of justice, but there are some common ideas

• Justice means making sure that everyone is treated fairly, with equal rights and opportunities

  • This includes giving people what they deserve, whether it is rewards, punishment, or respect

  • Fairness also means ensuring that no one is discriminated against because of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics

• In societies, justice is often linked to laws that are designed to keep order and protect people's rights

  • A system of courts and judges ensures that laws are followed and that those who break them face appropriate consequences

Restorative and retributive justice

• There are different approaches to justice, including restorative and retributive justice

  • Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by a crime or wrongdoing, such as through reconciliation and making amends

    • It looks at how to fix relationships and bring about healing

  • Retributive justice, on the other hand, focuses on punishing those who have broken the law

    • The goal is to ensure that people who do wrong face consequences for their actions

Mercy and moral decisions

• Sometimes, justice is balanced with mercy

• This is the idea of showing kindness or forgiveness to someone who has done wrong

  • In many religions, like Christianity and Islam, mercy is seen as a virtue that can soften the punishment

• Justice is not just about legal rules; it also involves moral decisions about what is right and wrong

  • It’s about doing the right thing and helping others, especially those who are vulnerable or oppressed

  • Many religions, including Judaism, teach that justice involves a sense of responsibility to care for others and act with compassion

Jewish attitudes towards justice

Justice in Judaism

• In Judaism, justice (called Tzedek in Hebrew) is an important value that means treating people fairly and doing what is right

• It is not just about following the law, but also about helping others, especially those who are poor or in need, and making sure everyone is treated equally

• Justice is a key issue in Judaism and appears frequently in many Jewish teachings 

  • Pirkei Avot 1:18 highlights the importance of peace as a foundation for a well-functioning society

  • The Torah is clear about the importance of justice in the world and pursuing justice in life

• Jewish tradition teaches that God is the ultimate judge and will decide if you have treated others justly in your life

  • Judaism teaches that God has always existed as judge over his creation and his judgement decides the fate of each person

  • Many Jews also believe that there will come a time when God, who is the final judge of all things, will ensure that there is peace on earth

• However, until there is peace on Earth, many Jews believe that they should spend efforts:

  • striving towards what is right and just

  • behaving in the manner in which God commands

• Judaism views justice as the foundation of a fair and moral society

  • One of the words for justice (Tzedek) can also be translated as righteous

• Jews believe in Tikkun Olam, which means ‘repairing the world’ 

  • This idea encourages people to work for social justice and make the world a better place by standing up for fairness and equality for all

• In the Tanakh, prophets like Isaiah and Amos spoke out against unfairness, especially when the rich and powerful took advantage of the poor and vulnerable

  • They taught that justice means caring for everyone, especially the most disadvantaged in society

• Jewish law, known as Halakha, gives rules about how to treat others fairly

  • It says people should not lie, cheat, or steal

  • Courts in Jewish tradition called Beit Din, help to make sure people are treated justly

    • They resolve disputes and uphold fairness

• In Judaism, justice isn't only about punishment, it also involves restoring what has been broken

  • If someone wrongs another person, they should try to fix the harm by saying sorry, making amends, and improving their behaviour

  • This is part of the idea of Teshuvah, or repentance

Judaism and the importance of justice for victims

Justice for victims in Judaism

• In Judaism, justice is an essential value

• Victims of wrongdoing must receive fair treatment and support

  • The Jewish tradition teaches that victims, whether individuals or communities, deserve to be heard, helped, and treated with compassion

• In Judaism, justice (Tzedek) is not just about punishing wrongdoers but also about ensuring that victims are treated fairly and that their rights are protected

  • Jewish law teaches that those who have been harmed or wronged should receive justice and that their suffering should be addressed

    • For example, victims should be given compensation, or wrongdoers should make restitution to repair the damage they have caused

• Judaism emphasises that people should not ignore the needs of those who are suffering

  • Many teachings in the Torah stress the importance of caring for victims, whether they are poor, sick, or victims of injustice

  • The Torah teaches that the widow, orphan, and stranger (the vulnerable or marginalised groups in society) should be treated with special care and protection

  • The prophets in the Tanakh often spoke out against the mistreatment of vulnerable people, calling for justice to be done for them

Restorative justice

• There is a focus on restorative justice, which aims to repair the harm done to the victim, not just punish the wrongdoer

  • For example, if someone causes harm to another person, they must make restitution or compensation to the victim to help heal the situation

  • Restorative justice also involves the idea of Teshuvah (repentance), where the wrongdoer is expected to:

    • show genuine remorse

    • ask for forgiveness

    • work to make things right

  • This helps both the victim and the wrongdoer to restore their relationship and move forward

Jewish court

• A Beit Din (Jewish court) is responsible for hearing disputes and ensuring that victims receive justice

  • The Beit Din makes sure that justice is served according to Jewish law (Halakha), including protecting the rights of the victim and ensuring that wrongdoers are held accountable for their actions

  • Jewish law also encourages courts to consider compassion and the well-being of victims when making decisions, ensuring that the victim is not further harmed by the legal process

Judaism and mercy

• Judaism teaches that justice should be balanced with mercy

  • This means that while it is important to hold wrongdoers accountable, there is also room for compassion towards the victim and even the wrongdoer

    • For example, a victim may choose to forgive the wrongdoer, and in some cases, Jewish law encourages making peace and reconciliation

• Forgiveness is an important value in Judaism and can help victims heal

  • Forgiveness must come from the heart and can take time

Judaism and support for victims

• Judaism encourages society to help and support victims in many ways

• This includes not only legal justice but also emotional and practical support

  • Acts of kindness (Gemilut Chasadim), charity (Tzedakah), and helping those in need are important ways in which Jewish communities support victims of injustice

• Victims are encouraged to seek help from others, including family, friends, and the community, to recover from harm and find justice

Jewish and non-religious views on the importance of justice

Humanist and Atheist attitudes towards justice

• Both Humanists and Atheists value justice as a core principle

• Their attitudes are shaped by different beliefs about the world and the source of moral guidance

Humanism

• Humanism is a philosophy that emphasises human values, reason, and ethical behaviour without relying on religious beliefs

• Humanists believe that human beings have the responsibility to act morally and justly

  • This is based on reason and empathy rather than religion

• Justice is seen as something humans must actively work towards

  • It is a way to ensure that all people are treated fairly and with respect

• Humanists believe in human rights, equality, and fairness

  • They advocate for social justice and helping the most vulnerable in society

  • They think that laws should be based on human needs and well-being

  • Justice should promote freedom, equality, and opportunity for all people

• For humanists, justice is about ensuring fairness in society and protecting the rights of everyone, regardless of their background, race, gender, or belief

Atheism

• Atheism is the belief that there is no God or deity

• Atheists (like humanists) do not look to religious teachings for guidance on moral issues, but they still believe in the importance of justice

• Like humanists, many atheists base their ideas of justice on reason, science, and secular ethics 

  • Atheists often believe that laws and justice systems should be built on evidence, reason, and human experience, rather than religious rules

  • They focus on the well-being of individuals and the need for fair treatment

  • Atheists may support justice in terms of equality and the fair distribution of resources in society

  • They believe in personal freedoms and human rights, and that people should be judged by their actions, not by religious beliefs or status

• While humanists and atheists may not rely on religious teachings, they both believe that justice is essential for a fair and equal society

  • They value reason, human rights, and fairness, and seek to create a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect

Jewish responses to Atheist and Humanist attitudes towards justice

• Despite differences, there are areas where Judaism agrees with the attitudes of atheism and humanism

  • All would agree on the importance of justice in ensuring fair treatment of people

  • All might agree that justice should protect the vulnerable and ensure equality for all people

  • All share the value of creating a compassionate and fair society 

• However, Judaism teaches that justice is rooted in the commandments of God (especially in the Torah) and is part of a divine moral order

  • This is different from Atheism, which does not believe in a divine being and bases ethics on human reasoning alone

  • Jews may respond to atheists by emphasising that God is the ultimate source of morality and that Jewish laws (like Halakhah) are the guidelines for living justly

    • For example, many Jews believe that the Ten Commandments and other divine laws provide the foundation for justice