The local Jewish community in Porto actively uses the Jewish Museum of Porto and the city's Holocaust Museum to educate teenagers, combat antisemitism, and promote a better world. Together, both institutions serve tens of thousands of Portuguese schoolchildren every year.
How to found or re-found a Just and Strong State is one of the lessons that the staff of the Jewish Museum has been committed to teaching those who will be the elites of tomorrow. Historically, Judaism does not prescribe a single, rigid blueprint for state creation, but rather expects Jews to be loyal citizens of the countries they reside in while pursuing social justice and civic welfare. In the case of figures like Yaish ben Yahia (who served the Portuguese crown) and Haym Salomon (who helped finance the American Revolution), these historical contributions embody the Jewish ideal of active civic partnership.
This philosophy of integration and communal contribution underpins both the diaspora experience and the modern establishment of states. There is a single truly essential principle for building a state, Justice.
Under the laws which apply to all societies, the requirement of Dinim is one of the seven foundational commandments. It requires nations to set up just courts to enforce basic morality, honesty, and fair laws. Otherwise, the entire society will tend to be corrupt and based on trafficking in favors, without creating anything useful for society.
Government, Propaganda and Justice must be separated. Among them all, Justice is the greatest authority. Judaism mandates the establishment of functioning, impartial legal systems to maintain order and protect citizens. The Torah explicitly commands Jews to appoint local judges and law officers. These courts must be completely fair, as they are universally tasked with resolving disputes and preventing the rule of "might makes right".
If this essential commandment is the basis of society, Jews must work for the civic good of their cities with an active involvement in the creation of social infrastructure. Dina d'malkhuta dina, the fundamental Talmudic principle, states that "the law of the land is the law". The foundational text Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) instructs Jews to pray for the welfare of the government. It obligates Jewish communities to obey and support the civil laws of the state they live in.
In Jewish tradition, participating in and ensuring the rule of just law is not seen as an optional courtesy, but as a basic requirement to sustain civilization. Where there are fair laws and an honest judicial system, society can triumph. The Social Pact is defined from this moment on. And it must be respected by everyone, as without fear of civil authorities, society would collapse.
