It’s easy to imagine them as these larger-than-life figures, all might and no moral compass. But what if their greatness actually lay in their unwavering commitment to justice?
Take David, for example. We know him as the fearless warrior, slayer of Goliath, the king who united Israel. But as Ginzberg tells us in Legends of the Jews, David wasn't just bold; he was profoundly just. Disregarding the ancient covenants? Unthinkable!
Before heading off to war with the Arameans and the Philistines, David did something remarkable. He convened the Sanhedrin, the high court, instructing them to meticulously investigate the claims of these nations. Talk about due diligence! He wasn't going to shed blood without understanding the historical and legal basis for conflict.
What did the Sanhedrin discover? The Philistines, it turned out, were essentially imposters. Their claim to the treaty made with Isaac was bogus. They weren't descended from the original Philistines who had entered into that agreement. Nope, they were Johnny-come-latelies, immigrants from Cyprus who arrived on the scene long after the ink had dried on the ancient pact. Their claims were deemed "utterly unfounded."
But the Arameans? Their situation was different. They did have a historical connection to the region. However, they had forfeited their rights to considerate treatment. How? Through aggression. The Zohar reminds us that actions have consequences, and violating the covenant is a serious matter.
Think back to Balaam, the "Aramean" prophet who was hired to curse the Israelites. And then there was Cushan-rishathaim, the Aramean king who oppressed Israel in the time of Othniel (Judges 3:8). Time and again, they chose conflict, attacking and waging war against the Israelites. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, these actions had lasting repercussions.
So, what does this tell us? David's commitment to justice wasn't just a nice add-on to his warrior persona. It was fundamental to his leadership. He understood that true strength lies not just in military might, but in unwavering adherence to ethical principles. It’s a powerful reminder that even in times of conflict, justice and righteousness must prevail. It's not enough to be strong; we must also be just.