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What role do shotrim (court officers) play in the Torah (תורה)'s justice system? Rashi (רש"י) limits their function to post-conviction enforcement, while the Rambam (רמב"ם) expands their role to proactive market regulation and social order. This reveals fundamentally different conceptions of judicial responsibility.
The shiur analyzes the verse 'Shoftim v'shotrim titen lecha' (Devarim 16:18) and the grammatical difficulty that bothers Rashi (רש"י): why does the Torah (תורה) use the singular verb 'v'shaftu' for both judges and shotrim, rather than separate verbs for each function? Rashi resolves this by explaining that shotrim are part of the judicial process - they enforce court decisions by hitting and binding defendants until they accept the judge's ruling. This makes shotrim an integral part of mishpat (justice), justifying the shared verb. The Rambam (רמב"ם) in Hilchos Sanhedrin presents a fundamentally different model. While agreeing that shotrim have sticks and straps and operate under judicial authority, he expands their role far beyond post-conviction enforcement. According to the Rambam, shotrim patrol marketplaces and stores to ensure honest weights, measures, and pricing, striking down those who engage in fraud or price gouging. This reflects a broader conception of what judges do - they don't merely adjudicate individual cases but are responsible for establishing and maintaining an orderly, just society.
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Parshas Shoftim 16:18
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