Why Capital Judges Must Sleep on a Verdict Before Ruling

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Shoftim 7:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "Justice, justice you shall pursue" (Isaiah... Deuteronomy 16:20): it says "justice" two times. This is a warning to the judges who try capital cases, that they should not cut off the judgment on the same day, but rather they should let the judgment lodge overnight, in the manner that they let it lodge overnight in Jerusalem, as it is said, "[I was full of justice;] righteousness would lodge in her" (Isaiah 1:21).

Themes

JudgesJerusalem

Biblical References

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