Mishpatim: Go According to the Majority — But First Know the 49 vs 49!

Introduction

In this week’s podcast Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth looks into Parshat Mishpatim. The rabbis read the words in Exodus 23:2 “acharey rabim lahatot” to mean “go after the majority”, but first know how to argue 49 ways one way and 49 ways the opposite way on each issue.  This podcast discusses some of the key procedures from the ancient Sanhedrin put in place to ensure healthy disagreement based around the 49 vs 49 that can have important lessons for us today.

This podcast was recorded as part of The 9Adar Project: Jewish Week of Constructive Conflict. To see more on how you can get involved, see 9adar.org.

Click here to read more on the topic of the 49 vs 49 rule.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il.

Credits
Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant
Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

Daniel Roth

Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth is Director Emeritus of the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution and an adjunct faculty member. He is currently Director of Mosaica and teaches graduate courses on religion and peacebuilding at Bar-Ilan University, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University.

Daniel initiated Pardes’s Mahloket Matters and the 9Adar Project, promoting constructive conflict and dialogue in Israel and beyond. A regular lecturer for MEJDI Tours and National Geographic, he previously served as a senior research fellow at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. Daniel holds degrees from Bar-Ilan University, Hebrew University, and Herzog Teachers’ College, and received rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Har Etzion.