While the topic of polygyny is not central to the theme of "Judges," (Shoftim) - it is very much related. And it's a big part of the theme of this midrash.
We are watching what happens when the command to pursue "justice" (Deuteronomy 16:20) is ignored; it has, in fact, now become "justice, justice you shall pervert." And "bribery"? How better to get away with it than run the Whole Steenkin' Corrupt System?
But if we don't even know what the concepts mean - how do we even know when they're turned upside-down?
And would you really want "judges" who don't even know Whose "law" it is that they are supposed to know? Why would a 'judge' which can't even keep something as Biblically UN-equivocal as what He says about the most important institution in society be trusted to offer an opinion on anything else anyway?
We are watching what happens when the command to pursue "justice" (Deuteronomy 16:20) is ignored; it has, in fact, now become "justice, justice you shall pervert." And "bribery"? How better to get away with it than run the Whole Steenkin' Corrupt System?
But if we don't even know what the concepts mean - how do we even know when they're turned upside-down?
And would you really want "judges" who don't even know Whose "law" it is that they are supposed to know? Why would a 'judge' which can't even keep something as Biblically UN-equivocal as what He says about the most important institution in society be trusted to offer an opinion on anything else anyway?
Mark Call – Parsha “Shoftim” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa
Parsha “Shoftim” (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) begins with the word which means “judges,” and proceeds to describe a set of instruction having to do with the “rule of law,&…
hebrewnationonline.com