Laws Pertaining to a King

Found 5 Search results

  1. The Torah: The Birthplace of the Idea of Equality

    Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman | 58 minutes

    When comparing societal law in the Torah to that of other ancient Near East codes, one can notice that the Torah is far more advanced in the area of societal equality than the surrounding cultures during that time. This lecture examines economic  law, political vision, and societal norms in the Torah and highlights the Torah as a blueprint for a society that is far less hierarchical and stratified, and much more egalitarian and just. 

  2. Monarchical Vacillation

    Rabbi Ben-Tzion Spitz

  3. What is the Torah's Ideal Political System?

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    Is the commandment to appoint a king a mandatory one, or is it based on the will of the people? This article examines the various opinions in light of the verses in Parshat Shoftim and the appointment of the first king, Shaul, by Shmuel. 

  4. Raining on the Request for a King

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  5. The Will of the People and the Authority of the King: A Study of the Biblical Text

    Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

    The Torah tells us to “appoint a king over you whom the Lord your God shall choose” (Devarim 17:15). The verse seems to indicate clearly that the king is chosen by God and not by the people. However, when we read how the process actually unfolds, as described in Sefer Shemuel, we find that the decisive factor in the choice of the king is in fact the will of the people. 

    We look at the descriptions of Shaul, David (and Avshalom) being crowned as kings, and we examine different opinions about the laws of appointing a king.

    We find that the system of ruling in the Torah entails two centers of power, each comprising two authorities. One center is the religious authority, consisting of the Kohanim and the judges. The other center consists of the political leadership, combining the king and the prophet – who are sometimes at odds.

     

    Translated by Kaeren Fish