Q&A: Does Hosea 7:7 show us what can happen without the High Court of Justice?
Does Hosea 7:7 show us what can happen without the High Court of Justice?
Question
Hosea chapter 7, verse 7, seemingly shows us the sure path to rebellions, civil war, and the destruction of the nation at the end of the First Temple period—and maybe in our own day as well, with rabbis trying to destroy the High Court of Justice and its role as a balance on governmental power.
Destroying that will bring destruction.
That also fits exactly with what the Sefer HaChinukh, in commandment 79, calls the majority who oppose judging as such, simply because they are the majority—the fools.
Am I right?
Answer
Not exactly. I agree that the High Court of Justice has an important role, but I do not agree that one may not protest and fight against its policy. These excuses and concerns lead to the silence of the sheep and to the takeover by those who hold power.
And of course the proof from Hosea is unnecessary and unhelpful. You can derive anything from the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and this is a wonderful example of that (one of thousands, of course).