The Torah introduces certain laws which are exclusively applicable to the leaders. Because these individuals were granted special authority, they needed special guidelines to prevent them from misusing their positions and becoming arrogant.
The judges, for example, were severely warned against taking any form of bribery, even to render an honest ruling. They were also obligated to follow the majority ruling of the court. If a judge or Torah scholar, regardless of his level of scholarship, defies and rules against a decision of the court, he is liable to be put to death. This uncharacteristically severe punishment was necessary to prevent the undermining of the court's authority by other great leaders. This would ensure that the court remain a central authoritative body, whose decisions would be binding upon the entire nation.
The king was also subject to special obligations and prohibitions. In contrast to many of the other monarchs of the ancient world, the Jewish king was not allowed to indulge in physical or material excesses, such as a large harem of women, or an excess of money or horses. The Torah warns that these excesses would inevitably lead the king's heart astray.
The king was also required to write his own copy of the Torah that would be carried on his person at all times. The constant review of this Torah would, hopefully, inspire his reverence for G-d and prevent him from becoming haughty.
The Kohanim (priests) were also guided by a unique set of laws. They did not receive their own inheritance in the Land, because they had to be available to devote themselves to the service of G-d. Their livelihood would be taken care of by the other tribes, who would give them the priestly gifts. Their dependence on other people would also prevent their feeling arrogant.
The prophet's responsibilities are also discussed. The prophet was a person of exalted character and scholarship, who was able to receive certain communication from G-d. Accordingly, he too was held to a higher standard. If the prophet would suppress his Divine prophecy he would be guilty of a severe offense. Prophesying something that he did not receive from G-d or in the name of another god, are considered even worse offenses, and are punishable by death.
No public leader in the Torah is above the law. Each position has its own set of rules specifically tailored to its own unique challenges.
"You should be wholesome in [your faith] in G-d ..." (Deut. 18:13)
There was a pious couple that lived in a little village in Europe with their ten children. While pregnant with one of the younger children the woman's doctor perceived a serious problem with the baby and recommended she terminate the pregnancy. The woman's faith in G-d was strong and she refused to listen to the doctors. Eventually she bore a healthy little boy. During the Holocaust eight of the children perished, and only one daughter and one son survived. The son, who would carry on the family name, was the same one the mother had refused to abort. The child grew to become Rav Elazer Shach, one of the leading Torah authorities in our generation. Rav Shach would often comment that a person must always maintain faith in G-d and leave the results to Him.
The judges, for example, were severely warned against taking any form of bribery, even to render an honest ruling. They were also obligated to follow the majority ruling of the court. If a judge or Torah scholar, regardless of his level of scholarship, defies and rules against a decision of the court, he is liable to be put to death. This uncharacteristically severe punishment was necessary to prevent the undermining of the court's authority by other great leaders. This would ensure that the court remain a central authoritative body, whose decisions would be binding upon the entire nation.
The king was also subject to special obligations and prohibitions. In contrast to many of the other monarchs of the ancient world, the Jewish king was not allowed to indulge in physical or material excesses, such as a large harem of women, or an excess of money or horses. The Torah warns that these excesses would inevitably lead the king's heart astray.
The king was also required to write his own copy of the Torah that would be carried on his person at all times. The constant review of this Torah would, hopefully, inspire his reverence for G-d and prevent him from becoming haughty.
The Kohanim (priests) were also guided by a unique set of laws. They did not receive their own inheritance in the Land, because they had to be available to devote themselves to the service of G-d. Their livelihood would be taken care of by the other tribes, who would give them the priestly gifts. Their dependence on other people would also prevent their feeling arrogant.
The prophet's responsibilities are also discussed. The prophet was a person of exalted character and scholarship, who was able to receive certain communication from G-d. Accordingly, he too was held to a higher standard. If the prophet would suppress his Divine prophecy he would be guilty of a severe offense. Prophesying something that he did not receive from G-d or in the name of another god, are considered even worse offenses, and are punishable by death.
No public leader in the Torah is above the law. Each position has its own set of rules specifically tailored to its own unique challenges.
"You should be wholesome in [your faith] in G-d ..." (Deut. 18:13)
There was a pious couple that lived in a little village in Europe with their ten children. While pregnant with one of the younger children the woman's doctor perceived a serious problem with the baby and recommended she terminate the pregnancy. The woman's faith in G-d was strong and she refused to listen to the doctors. Eventually she bore a healthy little boy. During the Holocaust eight of the children perished, and only one daughter and one son survived. The son, who would carry on the family name, was the same one the mother had refused to abort. The child grew to become Rav Elazer Shach, one of the leading Torah authorities in our generation. Rav Shach would often comment that a person must always maintain faith in G-d and leave the results to Him.
Did You Know...
It is customary to visit the graves of one's family members to pray for a good year before the High Holidays. The Torah actually prohibits communicating with the dead. Some authorities understand this prohibition to mean praying to the deceased themselves, since the dead have no powers to grant requests. Other authorities permit praying to the deceased that they intercede before G-d on behalf of the living. This is implied in several prayers that make such requests of the Angels. Others prohibit even this much, and merely permit praying in the merit of the deceased.
