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The gemara (Sanhedrin 7b) points out in this regard that the dayan should not "step on the heads of the holy nation." Directly after commanding, "Do not go up to the altar with stairs," it says "These are the laws…" This idea of not elevating their status as above the people is what Israeli’s like to call "looking at someone at the same eye level." Rashi (ad loc.) says that not only should the dayanim not actually relate to themselves with over-importance, but that it should not even look as if they do so. The first part of the derasha is talking about the situation of one giving a Torah lecture with the assistance of a meturgeman, who repeated the scholar’s lesson loudly. Just as in that case, one who walked through those who were seated looked as if he was stepping on them, dayanim should follow this principle as well. In other words, there should not even be an appearance of putting down the litigants.
Based on this idea, we set up our courts differently than every court of the State of Israel (rabbinical or secular), in which the dayanim sit on a platform. All of our courts have the judges on the same level as the litigants. Besides how this looks to the litigants, it also sends a reminder to the judges that they are sitting in justice as a servant of the public, not as one who uses his role to be above others.
Another derivation (ibid.) from our opening pasuk is that the judges have to "show the face" of the case. Rashi explains that this is derived from that which it says "place before them" and not "teach them." A judgment should be presented in such a way that reconciles the ruling with teachings (Rashi ad loc.). In other words, the students who were studying to be dayanim should understand how what they were being taught was being applied correctly. Our implementation of this idea is that all our rulings come with clear explanations of the ruling’s basis. Halachically, not every ruling has to come with reasons. That is necessary only when the litigant seems to not trust the dayan or when he asks explicitly for the reasons (Choshen Mishpat 14:4), and even then, the requirement might only exist if the beit din adjudicated without the request of both sides. However, since we are big believers in the concept of transparency as a basic rule of operation, every ruling is given with full written reasons. We do this in a way that even the laymen who is not deeply familiar with halachic reasoning will understand its basics.
We pray that Eretz Hemdah-Gazit, along with the Forum for Rabbinical Courts for Monetary Matters, including Rav Ratzon Arusi’s Halichot Am Yisrael and Rav Avi Gisser’s Mishpetei Eretz will prove to be a major beginning to the proper performance of "These are the laws that you shall place before them."
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
