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Hebrew Text
לֹא־תַטֶּה מִשְׁפָּט לֹא תַכִּיר פָּנִים וְלֹא־תִקַּח שֹׁחַד כִּי הַשֹּׁחַד יְעַוֵּר עֵינֵי חֲכָמִים וִיסַלֵּף דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיקִם׃
English Translation
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a bribe: for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
Transliteration
Lo-tate mishpat lo takir panim ve-lo tikach shochad ki hashochad ye'aver einei chachamim visalef divrei tzadikim.
Hebrew Leining Text
לֹא־תַטֶּ֣ה מִשְׁפָּ֔ט לֹ֥א תַכִּ֖יר פָּנִ֑ים וְלֹא־תִקַּ֣ח שֹׁ֔חַד כִּ֣י הַשֹּׁ֗חַד יְעַוֵּר֙ עֵינֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֔ים וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף דִּבְרֵ֥י צַדִּיקִֽם׃
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Ketubot 105b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the prohibition of judges accepting bribes and the corrupting influence of bribery on judgment.
📖 Sanhedrin 7b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the ethical obligations of judges and the severe consequences of bribery in judicial proceedings.
📖 Pesachim 113b
The verse is mentioned in a broader discussion about ethical behavior and the importance of maintaining integrity, particularly in matters of justice.
Prohibition Against Judicial Corruption
The verse (Devarim 16:19) contains three prohibitions related to judicial integrity: 1) not perverting justice, 2) not showing favoritism, and 3) not accepting bribes. Rashi explains that "לא תטה משפט" ("Thou shalt not wrest judgment") refers to intentionally distorting a judgment, while "לא תכיר פנים" ("thou shalt not respect persons") means one must not give preferential treatment to someone based on their status or appearance. The Rambam (Hilchot Sanhedrin 23:1) elaborates that even subtle forms of favoritism—such as allowing a prominent litigant to sit while the other stands—are forbidden.
The Danger of Bribery
The Torah provides a rationale for these laws: "כי השחד יעור עיני חכמים" ("for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise"). The Talmud (Ketubot 105a) teaches that even a righteous judge who accepts a bribe will inevitably be influenced, regardless of their intention. The Sages compare this to a person who cannot see clearly after being struck in the eyes. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 144) adds that bribery distorts judgment so severely that even the wisest scholars become incapable of rendering fair decisions.
Expansive Definition of Bribery
Jewish law interprets bribery broadly. The Talmud (ibid.) states that even if a judge is offered something seemingly insignificant—such as a straw—it is forbidden. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 497) explains that the Torah's warning applies to any form of benefit, as human nature is susceptible to subconscious bias. The Rambam (Hilchot Sanhedrin 23:3) further rules that judges must avoid any interaction with litigants outside court to prevent even the appearance of impropriety.
Moral Implications Beyond the Courtroom
While the verse directly addresses judges, the principle extends to all areas of life. The Chofetz Chaim (Shemirat HaLashon) applies this concept to everyday interactions, cautioning against favoritism in business or personal relationships. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) notes that the phrase "דברי צדיקים" ("words of the righteous") implies that bribery corrupts not only actions but even the moral reasoning of those who are otherwise upright.