“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” It’s written right there in the Torah, plain and simple. And yet…that’s not how Jewish law actually works.

For thousands of years, Jewish tradition has taught that justice isn’t about vengeance—it’s about repair. The phrase “ayin tachat ayin—an eye for an eye” was never meant to be taken literally. Instead of inflicting harm in return, our tradition teaches that true justice means seeking fairness, understanding context, and centering humanity over absolutes.

Right now, it’s easy to feel disheartened watching laws being written and enforced in ways that harm queer people—especially trans youth. But parshat Mishpatim reminds us that justice is not static. It is something we shape, interpret, and refine—always striving to do better, to see more clearly, and to protect those most at risk.

The Torah’s justice system has always been about thoughtfulness over reaction, fairness over cruelty, and nuance over absolutes. Justice is something we build together.

Laws and policies will come and go, but our power to shape a world that is fairer, kinder, and safer for all of us? That remains. And we’re not going anywhere.