1)

Why does the Torah prohibit "Shochad"?

1.

Kesuvos, 105a: Because "Shochad" is the acronym of 'she'Hu Chad' - implying that the Dayan mindset becomes one with the mindset of the person who issued the bribe to the point that become like one person - and a person cannot see himself guilty.

2)

Since, in Shoftim Devarim, 16:19 the Torah will warn against perversion of justice, why does it need to prohibit the taking of bribes?

1.

Rashi: Because taking bribes is forbidden even in order to judge truthfully.

3)

Why does the Torah write "ve'Shochad Lo Sikach" and not 'u'Betza'?

1.

Kesuvos, 105a: Because whereas 'Betza' implies money, 'Shochad' incorporates even bribery of words. 1

2.

Refer to 23:8:0.1:1.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 66.

4)

What are the ramifications of "Ki ha'Shochad Ye'aver Pikchim"?

1.

Rashi: Irrespective of the caliber of the Dayan, once a Dayan accepts a bribe, his mind becomes warped, he forgets his learning and the light of his eyes becomes dim. 1

2.

Targum Onkelos: It makes the wise blind. 2

3.

Targum Yonasan: 'Because Shochad blinds the eyes of those who accept it - It moves the Chachamim from their dwellings 3 and perverts the true rulings that are written in the Torah. 4

4.

Kesuvos, 105a: Come and see how effective is the blindness of those who accept bribes - People give good money to be cured of a pain in the eyes and they don't know for sure that the cure will be effective, and they accept merely a P'rutah and their eyes become blind!

5.

Mechilta: It teaches a Dayan not to say that he will take money and not pervert the Din, because the Pasuk emphatically states that he will. 5

6.

Pe'ah, 5:9: A Dayan who takes Shochad and who twists the Din will not die of old age before he becomes blind. 6


1

Inasmuch as they are unable to see the truth.

2

See Rashbam.

3

See Yayin ha'Tov.

4

Na'ar Yonasan: These phrases are not translations; they appear however, in the form of two incidents recorded in Kesuvos, 105b.

5

See Torah Temimah, note 69.

6

See Torah Temimah, note 68.

5)

Seeing as the Torah writes in Shoftim, Devarim, 16:19 "Ki ha'Shochad Ye'aver Einei Chachamim, why does it need to insert the current Pasuk?

1.

Mechilta: Whereas the Pasuk in Shoftim is referring to physical blindness, the current Pasuk is referring to blindness of the Seichel. 1


1

Refer to 28:3:2:1. See also Torah Temimah, 71, who cites and explains the conclusion of the Mechilta.

6)

What is the meaning of "vi'Yesalef Divrei Tzadikim"?

1.

Rashi, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: It means that it (Shochad) perverts the righteous words (judgments) of the Torah. 1

2.

Mechilta: It means that accepting Shochad causes a Dayan to hate the righteous words that were said on Har Sinai. 2


1

And causes the Dayanim to speak in a confused manner when judging (Targum Yonasan).

2

See Torah Temimah, note 72.

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