잠언 31:10 할라카: Shulchan Arukh, Choshen Mishpat

[With respect to the members of] a Court of three, it is necessary that each one of them should possess seven [characteristic] things, [viz.,] wisdom, humility, fear [of G-d], averseness to money [acquired illegitimately],⁵⁵Thus A.H., love of truth, love [manifested] towards them by [fellow] creatures⁵⁶This is the meaning of ידועים, (v. next note), according to Maim. — W.G. Cf. Gen. XVIII, 19 and Rashi a.l. [and] possessed of a good name.⁵⁷ infra § 8, 1. — G. This is the meaning of ‘able men’ (אנשי חיל), i.e., individuals who are endowed with the will-power to act justly and righteously and thereby acquire a fine reputation. Tur citing Yad, Sanhedrin II, 7. The following sources enumerate the qualities that a Judge must possess: Tosef (Ẓ). San. VII, 1; ibid. Hag. II, 9; Y. San. I, 4(19c); San. 88b. In the three latter sources the quality of ‘humility’ (ענו) is mentioned after ‘wisdom’ (חכם). The quality of ‘humility,’ however, is not found in the following additional sources: Deut. R. I, 10 to v. 13 ibid.: ‘R. Berekiah on the authority of R. Ḥaninah stated: Judges must possess the following seven qualities: (They must be) wise men (חכמים), understanding (נבונים), full of knowledge (ידועים). Hence we have three. And four more as it is written elsewhere (Ex. XVIII, 21), Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men (אנשי חיל), such as fear G-d (יראי אלקים ), men of truth (אנשי אמת), hating unjust gain (שונאי בצע). Hence, we have seven. Why were not the seven stated together? (To intimate) that if (Judges) were not found (endowed) with seven (qualities), one may bring (Judges) possessing (only) four (qualities) ; and if (Judges) were not found (endowed) with four (qualities), one may bring those possessing three (qualities); and if these were not found, one may bring (Judges) possessing one (quality), for it is written, A woman of valour who can find (Prov. XXXI, 10).’ In the last verse quoted it seems that the Midrash takes a woman of valour (אשת חיל) as equivalent to able men mentioned in Ex. ibid., i.e., even if the Judges possessed only one quality, it suffices. Cf. Prov. ibid. v. 23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. This refers to the gates of justice where local matter were adjudicated. Hence, the connection between the text in Prov. and that of Ex. , MaHaRZaW to Deut. R. ibid. Cf. also Sifre to Deut. ibid. on the seven qualities that a Judge should possess. Maim. (followed by Tur and Caro) considers ‘wise men’ and ‘understanding’ (חכמים ונבונים) as one quality. Hence, he adds the quality of ‘humility’ (ענוה), although it is not mentioned in Deut. R. However, it seems that he followed San. B. and Y. and Tosef Hag. ibid., where ענן is mentioned. , Leḥem Mishneh to Yad ibid. ‘Humility’ was a quality that Moses possessed, Now the man Moses was very humble (ענו) — Num. XIII, 3 — and since in Ex. ibid. v. 22 it is stated, so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee: ‘with thee’ implies like unto thee (Kid. 76b; San. 36b; Hor. 4b), it follows that Judges who are appointed must also be endowed with the quality of humility or meekness as in the case of Moses. Cf. Maim. Yad ibid. who elaborates on the qualities to be possessed by Judges and gives a different order from that mentioned in the above texts.