The ancient rabbis certainly did. They wrestled with this very idea, and Psalm 82 became a springboard for some powerful teachings about fairness, wealth, and the very foundations of the world.
Psalm 82, verse 2, asks a stinging question: "How long will you judge unjustly and favor the wicked?" It's a direct challenge to those in positions of power, a cry for equity. But what does it really mean?
The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, dives deep into this verse. It imagines God Himself speaking, saying, "I desire to do justice. Judge the poor and the orphan and vindicate them." This isn't just a nice suggestion; it's a divine imperative.
But here's where it gets interesting. The Midrash doesn't stop with helping the downtrodden. It adds a twist: "Don't steal from the rich just because he is wealthy." Whoa. Wait a minute. Isn't this about helping the poor?
The reasoning, according to the Midrash, is profound. God declares, "The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord" (Psalms 24:1). The world is Mine, God says, "and I have said to make the rich prosper, yet you take away what is rightfully theirs." It’s a fascinating point. God allows wealth to exist, presumably for a reason. Messing with that balance, even with seemingly good intentions, is a problem.
It’s not a blanket endorsement of wealth inequality, of course. Instead, the Midrash seems to be cautioning against a simplistic, zero-sum view of justice. Robbing Peter to pay Paul doesn't actually solve the underlying issues. True justice isn't about tearing down one to build up another.
So why do we get it wrong so often? Why do we fall into these traps?
The Midrash Tehillim offers a stark answer: "They don't understand and don't know, they walk in darkness. They don't know how to judge righteously and that is why the world is falling apart." It's a harsh indictment, but it gets to the heart of the matter. When we lose sight of true justice, when we are blinded by our own biases and agendas, we destabilize everything.
The consequences are dire. "All the foundations of the earth are unstable" (Psalms 82:5). This isn't just about legal rulings or economic policies; it's about the very fabric of society. When justice is perverted, the world itself begins to crumble.
The Midrash here isn't just talking about individuals; it's talking about systems, about cultures, about entire ways of thinking. It is a reminder that true justice is not just about outcomes, but about process, about fairness, and about recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every single person, rich or poor.
So, the next time you see injustice, ask yourself: Am I truly seeking to uplift, or am I simply shifting the scales in a way that ultimately undermines the foundations of fairness for all? It’s a question worth pondering, because as the Midrash Tehillim makes clear, the fate of the world may depend on it.