בס”ד

In Parashat Mishpatim, Hashem teaches us how to build a good and fair world.

The Torah says something very special:
When two people have a disagreement and go to a judge, the judge is not allowed to choose someone just because he is poor.

That might sound a little strange. Aren’t we supposed to be kind to poor people?

Yes, we absolutely should help people who are having a hard time. Being kind and giving help is very important. But in a court of law, the judge must look only at what is true. Not at who is rich. Not at who is poor. Only at the truth.

Imagine someone breaks something that belongs to someone else. The judge has to decide who really did it. Even if the person who broke it is poor, the judge still has to be honest and fair.

The Torah teaches us:
Don’t choose the strong because he is strong.
Don’t choose the weak because he is weak.
Choose what is right.

When everyone is fair and truthful, the world becomes a safe and peaceful place. And that is what Hashem wants from us.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein and Angelique Sijbolts


Sources: Maimonides, Laws of Sanhedrin 20:7. Exodus 23:3.




If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN

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