{"id":19281,"date":"2024-09-05T18:02:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T17:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/?p=19281"},"modified":"2024-09-05T18:02:17","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T17:02:17","slug":"the-noahide-commandments-and-the-establishment-of-courts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/nl\/the-noahide-commandments-and-the-establishment-of-courts\/","title":{"rendered":"DE NOACHIDE GEBODEN EN DE INSTELLING VAN RECHTBANKEN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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\u05d1\u05e1”\u05d3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT<\/a> <\/strong>SHOFTIM 5784<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, we begin by taking note of the Jewish commandment in Deuteronomy 16:18<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the L-RD thy G-d giveth thee, tribe by tribe; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<\/td>\u05d9\u05d7  \u05e9\u05b9\u05c1\u05e4\u05b0\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b9\u05c1\u05d8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05ea\u05b6\u05bc\u05df-\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d3’ \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8, \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05d1\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8; \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e4\u05b0\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd, \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e4\u05b7\u05bc\u05d8-\u05e6\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05e7.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Logically, the legal system plays a crucial role in maintaining order and justice in a society. It is responsible for enforcing laws, resolving conflicts, and protecting rights. A legal system includes a network of laws, with judges, courts, lawyers, and other officials dedicated to upholding justice in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Noahide Commandment for Establishment of Righteous Courts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Tractate Sanhedrin 56b<\/a> the foundation of the Noahides Commandments is discussed, including different ways that they are hinted to in G-d\u2019s original communication to Adam in a way of commanding, in  Genesis 2:16<\/a>:

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16 And the L-RD G-d commanded the man, saying: ‘Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat;<\/td>\u05d8\u05d6  \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5 \u05d3’ \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8:  \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05dc \u05e2\u05b5\u05e5-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05b8\u05bc\u05df, \u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05ea\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05db\u05b5\u05dc.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There (Sanhedrin 56b), in Rabbi Yo\u1e25anan\u2019s homiletic interpretation of this verse, he begins by stating,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe [G-d] commanded\u201d \u2013 these are [referring to the Noahide commandment for judicial] laws (Dinin)<\/em>, for similarly itstates [Genesis 18:19<\/a>],<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19<\/strong> For I have known him, to the end that he may command<\/em><\/strong> his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the L-RD, to do righteousness and justice<\/em><\/strong>; to the end that the L-RD may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.’<\/td>\u05d9\u05d8<\/strong>  \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9\u05d5, \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d3\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d3’, \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e6\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e4\u05b8\u05bc\u05d8–\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df, \u05d4\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d3’ \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8-\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8, \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Establishing legal systems to maintain justice and order is prescribed by G-d in Genesis 9:5-6<\/a>, where G-d commands Noah about administering justice in cases of murder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it; and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, will I require the life of man.<\/td>\u05d4  \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05b9\u05c1\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1, \u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05d3 \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc-\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc; \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd, \u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5–\u05d0\u05b6\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1, \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd.<\/td><\/tr>
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of G-d made He man.<\/td>\u05d5  \u05e9\u05b9\u05c1\u05e4\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d3\u05b7\u05bc\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d3\u05b8\u05bc\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05e4\u05b5\u05da\u05b0:  \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e6\u05b6\u05dc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


These are source verses for the Noahide commandment to maintain justice through a structured legal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Context of Legal Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal systems have existed since ancient times. Even in unjust societies, such as Sodom and Gomorrah, there were judges. In Genesis 19:1<\/a>, it states that Lot sat at the gate of Sodom:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/strong> And the two angels came to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom; and Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them; and he fell down on his face to the earth;<\/td>\u05d0<\/strong>  \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05de\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e2\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1, \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d8, \u05d9\u05b9\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05d1<\/em><\/strong> \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05e2\u05b7\u05e8-\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b7\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0-\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b8\u05bc\u05e7\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b7\u05bc\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05d4.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rashi<\/a> explains: \u201cLOT WAS SITTING IN THE GATE OF SODOM\u201d \u2014 The word [\u05d9\u05b9\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05d1<\/em><\/strong>] is written … so that it may be read \u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05d1<\/em><\/strong> (he sat) \u2014 because that day they had appointed him as their judge (Genesis Rabbah 50:3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This demonstrates that even in societies with much injustice, there was a form of adjudication.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Application of the Noahide Commandment for Courts of Law<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are six general prohibitions in the Noahide Commandments, so it is understandable that the seventh commandment involves an obligation to establish legal systems that uphold these commandments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While no countries currently have courts specifically based on the Noahide Commandments, many legal systems do incorporate elements of these divine laws. However, regular courts that are not based on Torah issue judgments that don\u2019t necessarily align with the principles of the Noahide Commandments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question then arises: what is the status in Torah of secular national legal systems? To address this, it is useful to examine how Jews in the diaspora are told to relate to the laws of the countries in which they live. Pirkei Avot 3:2<\/a> states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear of it, a man would swallow his fellow alive.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This underscores the importance of a functioning legal system. The statement by the Sages that \u201cdina d’malkhuta dina\u201d<\/em> \u2013 literally, that \u201cthe law (dina) <\/em>of the ruling government (malkhuta)<\/em> is law\u201d \u2013 is the name in Aramaic for a general principle in Torah law, that there are certain types of monetary<\/em><\/strong> laws that civilized societies will enact for the sake of fair and just commerce, and these are binding on all the citizens. Rabbi Moshe Weiner\u2019s explanations of this principle are posted on-line, in a discussion thread titled \u201cImportance of laws of the land<\/a><\/strong>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope for and work towards societies where the Noahide Commandments are more integrated into the legal systems through increased awareness. Until this is achieved, it is possible that judges may make decisions that do not align with Torah teachings, such as in cases involving abortion or euthanasia. While this can be frustrating for Noahides, it is forbidden to take enforcement of the Torah law into one’s own hands. Noahide communities cannot appoint their own legal systems and judges, as this would lead to chaos and confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Torah text mentions not only judges but also officers or police.[2]<\/a> A society is safer with visible law enforcement. They are expected to guard the “gates” of society from harmful influences. Similarly, we need to guard our own lives from negative influences that could harm our own and our families\u2019 integrity and righteousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symbolic Gates and Internal Judges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, judges no longer sit in city gates but in courthouses. Few of us will become judges, and we hope never to need legal intervention. A practical lesson from Deuteronomy can be found in the book Crossing the Narrow Bridge<\/em>. [3]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “gates” can also symbolically refer to the body’s “gates” \u2013 the ears, eyes, nose, and mouth \u2013 through which external stimuli enter our consciousness. We are called to appoint “judges” within ourselves. Our internal “judges” should be guided by our study of the Torah and the 7 Noahide Commandments to discern what is permissible to pass through those gates, and what is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Guidelines for Each “Gate”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n