Q&A: Is It Forbidden to Sue in a Civil Court
Is It Forbidden to Sue in a Civil Court
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I was unjustly fired from my job. My employer accused me of stealing money from him, and of course nothing of the sort ever happened. I would like to sue him for compensation for the emotional distress this caused me.
Is it permissible for me to sue him in a civil court rather than in a rabbinical court?
I know that Jewish law generally says to go to a Torah court, and only if the defendant refuses may one turn to the courts, but I am concerned that this process will make me look pathetic.
I would appreciate your answer as to whether one may be lenient and go directly to an Israeli court.
Answer
I didn’t understand in what sense that process would make you look pathetic. Why can’t you sue in a religious court, and if he refuses, then go to court? In general, I hold that nowadays one may go directly to court for various reasons (see my article here on the site about the prohibition of going to secular courts).