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What Does Tsᵉdâqâh Mean For Cornell University & AI?

What Does Tsᵉdâqâh Mean For Cornell University & AI?

Last updated on: October 5, 2026 at 2:21 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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What Does Tsᵉdâqâh Mean For Cornell University & AI? 2026-10-05T14:21:27-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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This week, the big news has been about the moral and unjust alleged gang rape case that occurred at Cornell University two years ago. Originally, the case was dismissed because the victim willingly consumed alcohol and drugs.

Image by Wikimedia Commons

But after the victim, Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit against the school and a fraternity’s entities last month, the DA decided to reopen the case and look at the additional evidence that may be presented.

Sadly, the original case was dismissed because of a legal technicality, instead of the moral pursuit of justice. It is obvious that justice is part of the fabric of our community in many ways:

Morally
Spiritually
Legally

As a Christian, I don’t see how God’s people don’t get upset when they witness gross injustices and blatant evil that is occurring in every facet of the American culture. Despite what MAGA and many conservatives believe, justice and evil aren’t political problems; they are human problems (Genesis 6:5, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 5:12). The Bible is clear: no one is righteous or morally just except God (Psalm 143:2, Luke 18:19).

That is why God set His people apart from this corrupt kingdom (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 2:9). We are here to pursue justice on every level, not to be a power-hungry political party (Deuteronomy 16:20, Psalm 82:3-4).

What Is Moral Justice

I have seen many moral injustices in my 50+ years on this planet. And yes, as most of us know, things aren’t getting any better, despite the church being part of this world. Nor is America getting better, despite conservatives being in control of our government.

Image by Pixabay

The reason is obvious: all humans have a sinful nature and are unrighteous apart from Jesus (Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:9-12). Our sinful nature corrupts our morals as easily as it does our own heart.

Moral is defined as “Relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior: ethical.” Righteousness and moral justice are closely connected because they both stress doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.

God’s people are commanded to stand up for justice and to strive to be righteous like God (Micah 6:8, Ephesians 4:24).

That is why the Bible has a lot to say about justice and being righteous (Matthew 5:6, 20, James 1:27, 1 John 3:7). Because of the fall, all humans have a fallen nature (Romans 5:12-19, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

Sin is the detour that led humanity away from God (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23). Despite what many false teachers and conservatives believe, no one is righteous (1 Kings 8:46, Romans 3:1-31). Instead, man can only be right with a just God by accepting and submitting to the righteousness of our high priest Jesus (Romans 10:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:8-9, Hebrews 4:14-16). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about moral justice and being righteous.

Tsᵉdâqâh

The Torah tells us that because mankind chose to disobey God, the entire human race and creation became unrighteous and corrupt (Genesis 3:1-24; 5:1-5). A righteous God demands righteousness and justice (Deuteronomy 32:4).

Another Hebrew word in the Old Testament for justice istsᵉdâqâh and it can also mean “Rightness, moral, or righteous,” depending upon the context it is used in. After the fall, the world became morally corrupt, and God regretted making mankind (Genesis 6:4-6).

God set His people apart from the world and commanded them to be different (Leviticus 18:1-5, Deuteronomy 7:6). That is why Judaism places an emphasis on doing good works through Tzedakah:

Charity
Acts of lovingkindness (chesed)
Pursuing justice
Community service
Caring for orphans

As Jesus’ followers, we do good works not to become righteous, but as fruit and proof of being righteous through Jesus. Jesus reminded His followers that their hearts were still sinful (Mark 7:18-23). Our Lord even stood up against the religious leaders of His day to call out their unjust and self-righteous ways (Matthew 23:1-36).

Jesus Helping others

Jesus emphasized caring for the least of these, not protecting or honoring the greatest in this corrupt kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 4:18-19). Our Rabbi emphasized storing up treasures in heaven, not here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21)

Artificial Intelligence

In other big news this week, President Trump held a meeting with the biggest and richest tech gurus in America to address the concerns over A.I. (artificial intelligence).

Image by Wikipedia Commons

There’s been a lot of concern recently over how fast AI models have advanced. Some AI models have already escaped their controlled environments. Artificial intelligence may be man-made, but it is a heartless and emotionless entity.

Some AI models have hacked into other systems and even refused to follow human commands. Imperfect man has created an imperfect technical monster:

Unloving
Disobedient
Selfish
Corrupt

Not only has President Trump refused to limit artificial intelligence, but he is also allowing tech leaders to self-govern the technology. He said the tech gurus’ agreement is “Morally” binding.

The problem with this is that even the tech giants and corporations are morally bankrupt and sinful, just like the rest of humanity. Having money and power doesn’t make you righteous or morally sound. If anything, it may have the opposite effect.

That is why the Bible warns us about the love of money and pursuing power (Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Hebrews 13:5). The human heart and mind crave immediate pleasure and happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Mankind is naturally unjust and unrighteous; we need Jesus to make us is tsᵉdâqâh!

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