For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 8
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The gemara extrapolates the verses at the beginning of sefer devarim when Moshe discusses setting up the court system. The gemara learns from here all sorts of laws relating to judges to ensure fair judgments (not showing favoritism, etc. and that the people listen to the courts (implements used by judges for enforcement purposes).
The Torah teaches lo takiru panim ba-mishpat (Devarim 1:17) – literally “do not recognize (respect) faces in judgment.” Rabbi Yehuda understands this to mean that when in court, the judge cannot show favoritism to someone with whom he is friendly. Rabbi Elazar suggests that it means that the judge must treat someone who he does not like as if he does not know him.
We present a variety of essays on fair justice.