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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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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
