Q&A: Is State Law Binding?
Is State Law Binding?
Question
Should the law in a democratic state be viewed as a technical tool through which the police enforce certain things on the public, or do the laws of the state carry value-laden content, such that when the public comes together and sets certain rules of conduct, there is reason to observe the laws as a kind of moral obligation even when the police will not catch me?
Additionally, do the halakhic obligations such as “the law of the kingdom is law” make the law into something of that sort? (That is, binding in and of itself.)
Answer
Clearly there is value in obeying the law. The principle of “the law of the kingdom is law” reflects that value (and does not create it). The value lies in the very observance of the law, but that does not mean that every law, by virtue of its content, has value. There are arbitrary laws, there are laws that conflict with my values, and so on.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t remember. But it seems obvious to me. What needs to be spelled out here?
Is there somewhere the Rabbi discusses this in more detail?