Do Not Favor the Poor Litigant in Judgment

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 23:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Nor shall you favor a poor man" (Exodus 23:3). Could this mean you may not honor him with money? Scripture teaches, "in his dispute" [his lawsuit] — that you shall not favor him in judgment. You should not say: this is a poor man, and he comes from a good family; let me find in his favor in the judgment, so that he may earn his living honestly. Therefore Scripture says, "Nor shall you favor a poor man in his dispute." And elsewhere it says, "You shall not show favor to the poor" (Leviticus 19:15).

Themes

Divine JusticePovertyEthics

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