I think I see what you're getting at, but I'm not sure I agree.
I see it more simply, perhaps less nuanced-ly. To me, "justice" is blind -- it is a simple weighing of the situation and acting appropriately. "Mercy" is sighted -- it sees pain, even the pain of those who do wrong, and wishes to alieviate it.
"Compassion" is understanding how people feel. "Feeling with" someone. And that can lead to mercy, or to justice, but, hopefully, leads to a balanced application of both in the right amounts.
I believe that G-d has attributes of Justice (Din or Gevurah) and of Mercy (Hesed). And they are separate attributes.
And I believe that we can influence which way G-d leans, in judging us. That's why, on Yom Kippur, we beg to be judged in Hesed, and not Din. If our begging had no effect, why do it?
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Date: 2003-07-07 06:42 pm (UTC)I see it more simply, perhaps less nuanced-ly. To me, "justice" is blind -- it is a simple weighing of the situation and acting appropriately. "Mercy" is sighted -- it sees pain, even the pain of those who do wrong, and wishes to alieviate it.
"Compassion" is understanding how people feel. "Feeling with" someone. And that can lead to mercy, or to justice, but, hopefully, leads to a balanced application of both in the right amounts.
I believe that G-d has attributes of Justice (Din or Gevurah) and of Mercy (Hesed). And they are separate attributes.
And I believe that we can influence which way G-d leans, in judging us. That's why, on Yom Kippur, we beg to be judged in Hesed, and not Din. If our begging had no effect, why do it?