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judges, the officers (the enforcers of law), the priests, the king, and
the prophet are all dealt with in some detail in this portion. Each has ki taVO א ֹוב ָת י ִּ כ
its own unique sphere of influence discussed and each is given its own
set of limitations and responsibilities.

Another pillar of democracy is that of majority rule. The Jewish
tradition championed the notion of majority rule to settle both
theoretical questions of law debated by the Sages and actual court £The Importance of JoyThe Importance of JoyThe Importance of Joy
££
cases brought before the judiciary. Although the Torah may appear
to be autocratic, of necessity its interpretation and implementation
are based in great measure on the concept of majority rule. Indeed, as Ki Tavo begins with the commandment to bring the first fruits of
this book has abundantly demonstrated the Torah is open to many one’s produce to the Holy Temple: “It will be when you enter the
different interpretations, but when it comes to rendering the law, one land that God, your God, gives you as an inheritance … that you shall
authoritative interpretation must be chosen. take of the first of every fruit … and you shall put it in a basket and
go to the place that God, your God, will choose” (Deuteronomy 26:1).
Within Jewish law, the principle of majority rule applies both as
an overarching principle and in deciding the law in specific cases. On After bringing the first fruits in what is described in the Mishnah as
an overarching level, Jewish law rules that a rabbinic injunction only an incredibly joyous procession to the Temple and reciting words of
becomes the law if the majority of the people can reasonably abide thanks and praise to God, the Torah states: “You shall be glad with
by it. Furthermore, certain laws only come into effect if a majority all the goodness that God your God has given you” (Bikkurim 3:2-4;
of world Jewry is living in the Land of Israel. Regarding mixtures Deuteronomy 26:11).
of permitted and forbidden foods, in certain cases the mixture may Later in the portion, the Torah discusses the consequences the
be eaten if the majority of the mixture is permitted. When mistakes Jewish people will face if they do or do not listen to God and follow
were made by the High Court regarding the interpretation of a law His commandments. This section is referred to as “the blessings and
that the people then followed, an offering was brought for all the the curses.” Near the end of the curses the Torah provides a reason
people if a majority of people or tribes were involved. for why this sorry state may come to pass: “Because you did not
serve God your God with joy and goodness of heart” (Deuteronomy
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governance when it comes to the separation of church and state. In 28:47).
the modern world where many societies are multicultural in nature We will take the liberty of including a story here related in a
the notion of separating religion and state certainly makes sense, but previous portion due to its relevance to the subject at hand. A man
the Torah envisions a Jewish society living according to Torah law once came to his rebbe and complained how sad and depressed he
in the Land of Israel, so the idea of separating Torah and the state is was because of a whole series of setbacks. The rebbe, who knew him
inconceivable. Indeed, the Torah contains a unique blend of morality well, explained to him that the opposite was true: since he was sad
and ethics, philosophy and spirituality, ritual, civil, and criminal law and depressed all the time, these setbacks were happening!
that provides the intellectual and legal basis for a complex modern Serving God with joy and always looking on the bright side of life
society. Therefore, separating the Torah from the state would in is crucial in Jewish thought to maintaining proper observance and a
some sense be rejecting what the state should be all about. Notably,
spiritually vibrant and meaningful existence. When we harvest the
fruits of our labors, we can relate to our success in one of two ways –

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