Midrash for Exodus 20:23

Resh Lakish said: "If one appoints a judge who is not fit to be such, he is considered as if he were planting a grove in Israel, as it is said (Deut. 16, 18) Judges and officers shalt thou appoint unto thyself; and immediately after this it is said: "Thou shalt not plant unto thyself a grove — any tree." R. Ashi added: "And if this were done in places where scholars were to be found, it is considered as if it would have been done at the altar; as it is said after this: Near the altar of the Lord thy God." . It is written (Ex. 20, 23) Gods of silver and gods of gold, etc. Is it only prohibited concerning gods of silver, and of wood is it permissible? R. Ashi said: "This refers to a judge who is appointed through the influence of silver and gold." Whenever Rab went to hold court, he said: "Of my own free will I go to meet death, (Divine punishment for wrong judgment), but the necessities of my household I do not attend (I neglect my own affairs); empty handed I come to my home again. O! were I but as clean when I leave as when I entered it!" When he noticed a crowd escorting him, he would say: (Job 20, 6-7) "Though his exaltation should mount up to the heavens, and his head should reach unto the clouds, yet when he but turneth round will he vanish forever." Mar Zutra, the Pious, when he was carried on the shoulders of his followers on the Sabbath before the festivals used to say (Prov. 27, 24): For strength endureth not forever, nor doth the crown remain for all generations."

Bar Kapara lectured: "Whence do we infer what the Rabbis said: 'Be deliberate concerning judgment?' From the following passage (Ex. 20, 23) Neither shalt thou go up by steps upon My altar; and the next verse is: These are the laws of justice." R. Eliezer said: "Whence do we infer that the judge should not step upon the heads of all the people? From the passage: Neither shalt thou go up by steps upon My altar. And immediately follows: These are the laws of justice which thou shalt set before them. It ought to be: Which thou shalt teach them." R. Jeremiah and according to others R Chiya b. Abba said: "This refers to the paraphernalia of the judges." R. Huna, when he was about to hold court, would say: "Bring here the cane, the strap, the cornet, and the sandal."

Bar Kappara said in a lecture: Whence do we derive the rabbinic dictum: “Be deliberate in judgment”?⁵Pirkei Avot 1:1. We do so from the words: Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered (Exod. 20:23).⁶Just as priests are not permitted to run or to take big strides up the stairs, judges must not rush to render judgment. See Exodus Rabbah 30:9. Which are followed by the words: Now these are the ordinances.