Advanced Search

The Baltimore Riots


Question:

Does Judaism offer any explanations for the cause of the recent/current riots in Baltimore? And does Judaism offer a solution? Thank you.



AskTheRabbi.org answered:

We are taught to respect and obey the civil laws of the local government, which enable the authorities to maintain “law and order”. “Pray for the wellbeing of the government, for were it not for the fear of its authority, a man would swallow his neighbor alive” teaches Rabbi Chanina in Pirkei Avot 3:2 (Ethics of our Fathers).

However, it seems clear a major issue that needs to be addressed, both in understanding the cause and finding a solution, is the ethical and moral essence of the city. The topic of human ethical behavior and its importance for the individuals as well as the society is one of the foremost tenets of Judaism.

In fact, a major part of the Torah is dedicated to ethical teachings. The entire tractate called Pirkei Avot — often translated as “Ethics of our Fathers” — as well as a plethora of Talmudic, Midrashic and historical teachings — focus on helping us live as positive, moral and ethical human beings.

I once heard a fascinating idea and story that illustrates this point. The first mishna in Pirkei Avot begins with the words “Moses received the Torah from Sinai….” Rabbi Ovadia from Bartenura asks a basic question: In what way are these teachings about ethics part of the Torah that they are taught in this tractate? He answers that these teachings are not merely wise statements from a group of wise men. Rather, they are every bit a part of Torah Judaism as keeping Shabbat or keeping Kosher.

Here’s a brief story to illustrate this point. A group of nine anthropologists discovered an uncivilized man in the wilderness and took him back to civilization to “civilize” him. A dinner was prepared to educate him in the etiquette of dining. But lo and behold, only nine portions of food were on a platter for the ten people! They eyed each other for a moment, wondering what to do. Suddenly the lights went off. A few seconds later they went back on. The nine “civilized” people were holding forks and stabbing at the platter, while the “uncivilized” man’s hand was on the platter with nine forks stuck in it. Torah ethics means that even when there is a “moral dilemma” a person must be above reproach, and be guided only by truth and honesty.


Similar Questions
Philosophy > People
Down Syndrome
Modesty
Judging Others
Changing My Appearance
Family Size
Loving Someone You Don’t “Like”
Interrupting
"Silver Lining"
Personal Dignity
Same or Different
Are Men and Women Equals?
Which is the Correct Name
Chauvinist
Judaism & Women’s Spiritual Superiority
Three Divisions
Being Jewish?
Orthodox Jew
Friends
Pursuit of Peace
Soul
A Day to Remember
You Saved It? You Bought It!
Sin to be Tricked?
Feeling Hurt
Bon Voyage
Woman of Valor
Longevity Limits
Nations
The Merchant of Vegas
I-Sight
To Forgive is Divine
Our Code of Honor
Judge Me Not
Responding to Insults
All in the Family
The Healing Visit
Lighting the Way
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Testing the Waters
Recreation and Concentration
Eat, Drink, Be Merry, Tomorrow We Live
Long Lives
Matrilineal Descent
Of Blessed Memory
Silence
Jewish Education
The Human Soul
Tribes
Racism
Praying for National Unity
Was I Really “Born This Way”?
A Life of Measured Pleasure
Population Explosion
A Light for the Nations
Silence is Golden
Science and Judaism
Birthright Forever
The Whole Picture
Jewish Obligation?
Wisdom and IQ
Divine Justice
The “Chosen People”
Science and Judaism
Why Do Good People Suffer?
Mitzvah Parallels
Angels and Afterlife
Noachide Laws
The Kindness of Human Diversity
Philosophy > Ethics
Changing a Character Trait
Revenge
Dog Euthanasia
Judging Others
Chutzpah or Love?
Kosher Speech
The Candy Truth
Funeral Etiquette
"Lying"
The Need for Torah
Forgiveness
Persuasion and Business Ethics
German Coins
"Fixing the World"
Business Ethics and Job Security
Splurging
Long Time No See!
Charity Boxes
Does the End Justify the Means?
Nisyonot ("Tests") in Life
Bringing God into the Workplace
Abortion & Pro Life
Harry Potter
Courage
Does the End Justify the Means?
Stoppping a Food Thief
Why Not Watch TV?
Am I a Bad Jew?
Trusting in God & Medical Treatment
Global Warming
Saving Lives
Obligation to Vote
An Honest Broker
The Silent (Mis)treatment
What is "Humility"?
Wisdom
Directing a TV Advertisement
The Torah Work Ethic
Persuasion
Award for Excellence
The $98,000 Question
You Don’t Be the Judge
An Honorable Mention
The Merchant of Vegas
I-Sight
Color-Blind
A Light Unto the Nations
Collection Agency
"Too Nosey"
Quality of Life
A Moral Dilemma
Unstamped Postage Stamp
The Golden Ticket
Tell Me Something New
Healthy Hypocrisy
The Ten Tenets
Euthanasia for Animals
Lighting the Way
Rental Ethics
Winning by a Nose
What to Tell the Patient
Can I Really Make a Difference?
Benefit of the Doubt
Living It Up
Perpetuating a Loved One
Racism
A Cure for the Incurable
Guilt Feelings for the Guilty?
Friends
“Morality and Haughtiness”
Business Ethics
Employment Ethics
What Would America Do?
“The Eleventh Commandment”
Honesty is the Best Policy
Hypocrisy?
Jaywalking
Just Bending the Truth?
A Family Dilemma
Honor
“White Lie”
Criticism
A Time to Return
Embarrassing in Public
Lying
A Carpet Caper
Educational Ethics - Making Grade
Using Ma’aser Money
“Eyes Only”
Freedom of Speech
Miscellaneous > World Events
Earthquakes
The Russian Meteorite: a “Natural” Phenomenon?
The President and Proverbs
Purim and Anti-Semitism
The Flood and the Fish
Forty and the Flood
Polish Legislation and Holocaust Denial
A “Safe House” Without Terrorism
The Nepal Earthquake
Eclipses: Physics or Metaphysics?
Revolutionary War and Jewish Patriotism
Have a question?
 
Gateways - Your Key to Jewish Continuity

AskTheRabbi.org is a service of the Gateways Organization © 2024
Technical problems? Please contact the AskTheRabbi Support team