Devarim 16: Truth, Justice, Justice, and the Torah Way

YINR 929: Tanach Yomi · Apr 22, 2026 · 3m

“Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that your God has given you” (verse 20).

צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף לְמַעַן תִּחְיֶה וְיָרַשְׁתָּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ

(Deuteronomy 16:20)

This famous phrase, or at least its opening words, has often been used as a rallying cry for “Jewish values” centered on the pursuit of justice. But what does it actually mean, and why is the word justice repeated?

In its immediate context, the verse appears to apply specifically to judges and courts. Rashi explains that the repetition simply means that one must…