Once, two men were to appear before an older judge over a matter concerning a lot of money. One of the men came the day before he was to appear in court and asked the judge to help him. As he spoke, he laid five hundred silver coins on the table. The old judge took the money and told the man to come back the next day.
That evening the old judge asked that a big dinner be served. He called together his sons, sons-in-law, and many of his colleagues and students. During the meal, the old judge took out the five hundred silver coins and began counting them in front of everyone.
All looked on expectantly, hoping to receive some of the money. After the old judge had counted the money a few times, he put all the coins into his pocket and said:
“Know, my children, that the money that you see is a bribe, and bribery is forbidden by the Holy Word. We are taught, ‘You shall not judge unfairly: you shall show no partiality; you shall not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the discerning and upset the plea of the just.’ (Deuteronomy 16:19)
It is the responsibility of a judge and leader to ‘learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed’ (Isaiah 1:17) and to set an example for others to follow.
Every day, ‘I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice’ (Proverbs 8:20), and I wanted to show you what a bribe looks like so that you will know what to avoid.
The next day, the old judge returned the five hundred silver coins to the man and warned him that one is forbidden to either give or receive a bribe.
May the day come soon that ‘all bribery and injustice will be blotted out, and good faith will last forever.’ (Sirach 40:12)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)