The Judicial System People Decide / Not Prophets

There are several places in the Torah that refer to setting up a judicial system. Exodus when Yitro (Jethro) tells Moses to delegate the hearing of disputes. Deuteronomy where the system of justice is described in more detail. And again in 2nd Chronicles where King Jehosephat, in the 9th century B.C.E., placed judges in all cities of Judah and created a main "referral court" in Jerusalem. This set up a real system for judges of Levites and Priests to represent the law of God.

Sermon on Torah's Justice System


The sages were now the "interpreters" of the law and the time of prophets was over.

Why no more prophets?

Too hard to tell which were real and which were not?
Prophets were socially disruptive?
Prophets were viewed as "crazy" and not taken seriously?

Nevertheless, it makes a bit more sense to follow the advice of learned sages rather than from a prophet that one cannot be sure is really in tune with the wishes of God.

Who were the sages? Levite and Priests - why? Because they were the ones who knew the law of Torah. They were the ones who were to teach others the law. With this system the "people" are to judge based on laws of Torah and not based on the word of a prophet who may be divinely inspired.

The Torah implies that the "law" will evolve with the times and the sages were the ones set with the task of interpreting just how this was to be. Example of the prayer for lighting Chanukah candles: The Torah doesn't "command" lighting these candles and yet the prayer we say implies that it is in fact commanded. This is an example of where the sages have ruled as an 'update' of commandments and therefore have decreed that this is correct.

This is good because it offers a basis for the law to adjust to new circumstances. The idea of an evolving legal base is also evident in the US constitution.

Link: Justice - Levitical Courts