When is it time for revenge and when to turn a new page?

January 19, 2018   

תקופתנו מתאפיינת בבלבול ערכים. מושגי הטוב והרע מתערבבים ללא הרף, משתנים בקצב מהיר, ולעתים מתהפכים על פיהם, עד שהרע נהפך לטוב והטוב לרע. אחד הערכים הנתונים למתקפה ולערעור הוא הנקמה ומתן גמול הולם למרצחים.

Some portray revenge as an instinctive reaction, associated with backward cultures. In their eyes, in an enlightened and advanced world, there is no place for feelings of revenge. Forgiveness and concession are the highest value, and they are supposed to replace the desire for revenge.

Vital message

There is a complete mixing of gender with non-gender here. If a person has failed and stumbled and behaved toward you in an inappropriate manner, there is certainly a mitzvah not to take revenge on him, but to forgive him and strive to turn a new leaf. The Torah even commands us not to 'reprove'; that is, not only to refrain from an act of revenge, but even to not hold a grudge against that person in our hearts.

But bringing a villain to justice is the most right and just thing to do.

This is not a primitive desire for revenge, but a central element in the reign of justice in the world. This is the way to eradicate evil, when it will be clear to all that there is justice and there is a judge, and that bloodshed will pay the full price for their crimes.

The Creator is called "God, merciful and gracious," and at the same time "God of vengeance." For there are those who deserve mercy, and those from whom it is obligatory to take revenge. Revenge is mentioned countless times in our sources and in our prayers. On the holy days, in front of the open Ark of the Covenant, we ask: "Our Father, our King, avenge the blood of your servants that has been shed.".

King David asks in the Book of Psalms: "Let the righteous rejoice, for he sees the vengeance of his feet" – the joy of the righteous is when he sees the vengeance taken against the evildoers. And King David goes on to detail the important benefit of retribution: "And Adam said, "There is no reward for the righteous, but there is a God who judges in the earth.’” There is a vital message here like no other – there is a good reward and reward for doing justice, and there is someone who judges and punishes the wrongdoers.

It is needless to clarify that not every person is entitled to take on the role of avenger. There is revenge that is in the hands of the Creator of the world alone, and there is revenge that must be carried out by authorized entities.

That is why the Jewish people fought to exact revenge on the Nazis and their helpers, pursued the murderers and ensured that they were brought to justice. Because this is the basis for a reformed human society, where such despicable criminals will not be able to continue their daily lives.

Justice finally being served

There was a time when this value was clear to every person in Israel. Israeli governments generally stated: 'Our long arm will catch the murderers.' The security forces invested enormous efforts in fulfilling this promise and eliminating the criminals. There was also an element of deterrence in this, but mainly justice and appropriate retribution for the planners and perpetrators of the shocking crimes.

These two elements also appear in the story of the Exodus – redemption for Israel and revenge on Egypt. If the Israelites were redeemed and the Egyptians did not come to their punishment, this would be an injustice that cries out to heaven. Therefore, it was important that the cruel enslavers receive their reward, thus proving that the end of justice will be accomplished and the end of goodness will be eternal.