Once again, tethering ‘tikun olam’ to halacha

The term “tikun olam” (which literally means repair of the world) has been popularized by mostly left- and liberal-leaning activist causes as a way of “changing the world for the better.”

Michael Lerner, who became known as Hillary Clinton’s Rabbi, a product of both Berkeley and JTS, founded Tikkun magazine in 1986 and it was his definition of tikun olam that became the predominant one in public consciousness.

A perusal of Tikkun magazine (which had to close in April 2024) substantiates that it identifies strongly with the pursuit of “social justice,” which often favors the plight of Palestinians over that of Israelis while identifying with the left on almost all cultural issues.

But what really is tikun olam? What is its origin and what does it mean?

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The term first appears in the Talmud Bavli in masechet Gittin where amendments were made to halacha for the sake of an orderly society, “mipnei tikun ha’olam.” Examples include specific procedures in validation and fulfilment of a get, a divorce, as well as the innovation of Pruzbul in lending agreements.

Collectively, those amendments were seen as refinements or improvements in established halacha, taking on a legal role that was enforceable by a Beit Din. Clearly it was always meticulously associated with traditional halachic law.

This was because Chazal were mindful of the concept of tikun olam found in the Aleinu prayer (its second portion, the Al ken nekaveh prayer) which tradition states was composed by Joshua as he led the Children of Israel into the Promised Land.

•It specifically refers to the removal of idolatry from the Land: “l’haavir gellulim min haaretz v’ha-elillim karot yikaretun (to remove idolatry from the Land and false gods will be utterly cut off).” And then: “l’taken olam b’malchut Sha-dai (to repair the world in the Kingdom of the Almighty).”

•Note that tikun olam was always firmly theologically, philosophically and legally connected to the Kingdom of the Almighty G-d.

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This concept was elaborated upon by Maimonides, the Rambam, who saw acts of kindness, integrity, and honesty as “tikun et kol haolam kilo (fixing the entire world) and “allowing the Shechina (G-d‘s glory) to rest upon Israel” (Mishnah Torah, Hilchot Sanhedrin 23:9).

At no time was there any allowance, in the name of tikun olam, for a violation of halacha to espouse ideas that were antithetical to Jewish law, behavior, cultural norms and even Jewish survival. And that is why the “progressive” ideas promoted by the left in the last 15 to 20 years have been vehemently rejected by the Torah community.

Furthermore, once these ideas, especially the notion that Jews are white oppressors and Moslems/Palestinians are people of color and victims, were tied to the “virtuous” belief in social justice (i.e. their definition of tikun olam), then the persecution, discrimination and acts of violence upon Jews and Israel were justified and applauded.

Jews who thought they had allies in the “progressive community” were shocked to find they were outcasts, villains or worse. And not just Jews. It became apparent that this perversion of social justice — tikun olam, once it was divorced from being under the Kingdom of G-d — became synonymous with insanity.

For how else could sane, rational people say mathematics is inherently racist, fully grown biological men can compete in sports with young women and change in their locker rooms as long as they say they are women, illegal “migrants” have more benefits than citizens, or think that the best way to combat racism is to be even more racist to the so-called “offending” group (critical race theory).

These ideas were becoming official, national policy, defying logic and common sense.

We believe in tikun olam — repairing our world — through charity, kindness, honesty, integrity and respecting the rights of others. But it must be firmly tethered to Malchut Shad-dai, the Kingdom of the Almighty, if it is to succeed. For as the Alenu prayer continues, “then all humanity will call upon Your name.”

Shabbat Shalom.

Dr. Alan A. Mazurek is a retired neurologist, living in Great Neck, Jerusalem and Florida. He is a former chairman of the ZOA. To reach him, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com