Feature Tidbit

Who's the Boss?

Yes, of course it's G-d. Not what I meant. I was thinking of
humans, fellow Jews. Who's supposed to be the boss? Our sedra opens with the command to appoint judges and, let's call them policemen, deputies, whatever. The Sho't'rim carry out the instructions of the judges. Nice idea, but many problems and pitfalls. We are commanded to use proper criteria in selecting judges. Judges are commanded not to be afraid to render a verdict. They are warned against taking bribes, showing favoritism, perverting justice. There are precise rules of testimony to maximize the chances that justice is properly served. Even when Moshe Rabeinu selected the first seventy judges, he settled for qualities below the standards suggested by Yitro.

How about a king? That's a command too. But the mitzvot of the Melech come with the introductory comment - "...And you will say, let us take a king like all the nations around us." There are many rules concerning the king to maximize the chances of things work ing out okay for all concerned. One gets the distinct feeling that having a king is potentially problematic.

A prophet. What about a prophet? Sounds okay. Someone like Moshe. That's what Moshe told us. At least it is G-d Who chooses prophets. We choose judges and kings, and we don't always choose well. The Torah issues the strongest warnings about false prophets. OTOH, we may not overly test a true prophet. Problems.

Who's the Boss? The real answer is G-d. Not just because He is. But because if our judges follow G-d's commands, and if they follow G-d's rules of justice, and if they are truly G-d fearing, Torah sincere Jews, then we'll be okay. Better than okay. And if a king of Israel is truly G-d fearing, and if he writes his Sefer Torah and uses it as his constant guide, then we'll be fine. And if we are truly G-d fearing and follow the Torah the way we should, then we will know how to properly identify our prophets and listen to them, because they bring us the word of G-d. It all boils down to being straightforward and honest in our relationship with The Boss.

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