The Spiritual Balance of Justice and Mercy in Everyday Life

G-d runs the world through two modes of operation—justice and mercy. When a person prays for salvation or asks for something they need, the attribute of mercy stands up on their behalf, advocating to grant them what they seek. Justice often objects, pointing to that person’s past mistakes, harmful actions or inappropriate speech, which can block the flow of blessings. Misdeeds in behavior or words can give strength to the voice of judgment, which then not only prevents good from our lives, but can even trigger negative outcomes.

Why did G-d create the attribute of justice to begin with? Wouldn’t it have been better to govern the world purely with mercy?

Imagine a parent raising a child with nothing but kindness—constantly giving without any boundaries and never setting expectations or consequences. Such a child would grow up without the tools to cope with reality or take responsibility as an adult. The same is true for the world: if it were governed by mercy alone, with no accountability, humanity would never evolve or improve.

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 12:15) tells us that when G-d created the world, He knew it could only function properly if both mercy and justice were built into the system. Justice holds people accountable and ensures that good actions are rewarded and misdeeds are met with consequences. This balance helps move humanity forward and refines our character.

In this way, the attribute of justice is essential. It expects us to align ourselves fully with divine truth and moral clarity. Because it demands integrity and growth, justice sometimes presents us with challenges and tests of faith to push us toward our highest potential.

According to Jewish tradition, truly righteous individuals are often governed by justice alone—without the buffer of mercy—because they are held to the highest standards. For example, Abraham feared his encounter with Esau not because Esau was powerful, but because Abraham worried that perhaps he had slipped, even slightly, and would be judged harshly in that moment.

That said, the world could not survive on judgment alone. To soften the blow of justice, G-d created the attribute of mercy, which brings with it patience, kindness, leniency, and generosity. Mercy advocates for us, delays judgment, and often argues that we deserve another chance. It is the quality that pleads our case in heaven and reminds us that people are more than the sum of their mistakes.

Justice may challenge us, but those challenges often help us grow spiritually and remember what truly matters. Still, because people aren't always strong enough to endure constant tests, mercy steps in to balance things out.

When blessings are destined to come down from above, it’s often justice that holds them back, arguing, “This person doesn’t deserve it—look at their actions!” How can we tip the scales back toward mercy?

There are many ways to awaken mercy and sweeten judgment:

• Prayer, which shows humility and faith.

• Repentance, which clears away the spiritual blockages.

• Charity, which protects from harsh decrees.

• Good deeds and mitzvot, which generate positive spiritual energy.

• Personal growth, such as making commitments to change for the better.

• Acting with compassion and kindness toward others, which causes G-d to treat us the same way in return—measure for measure.

• Letting go of grudges and forgiving others, which softens our own judgment.

• Choosing to judge others favorably, which opens up the gates for us to be judged favorably from above.

While justice may seem harsh, it is designed for our benefit, to help us grow and rise. The key is to live in a way that draws that mercy into our lives—and into the world.