DA1
We are to speedily seek reconciliation when summoned to court.
Category: Neighbours & Brothers
Type: Positive
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: New Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: No
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Luke 12:58-59
- Matthew 5:25
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Hebrews 12:14
- Matthew 5:9
Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent
Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
Two things should be clear about this Mitzvah (and its supporting Scriptures Matthew 5:25 and Luke 12:58-59 ): (1) It assumes that we are likely wrong about whatever we are accused of; and (2) it instructs us to try to settle a grievance before appearing in court and without compromising biblical principles or values. We believe that, during the First Century, the Romans allowed Jewish courts ( betei din ) to adjudicate private disputes between Jews. An accommodation such as that does not exist between our secular courts and religious institutions today, yet 1 Corinthians 6:1-7 is clear that if a person suing us is a brother believer, he should not be doing so in a secular court. He could, however, do so in an ecclesiastical court ( beit din ), so it is important that believing congregations today (both Jewish and Christian) establish tribunals to adjudicate disputes and settle controversies that arise in their midst. Also, the Scriptures underlying this Mitzvah seem to assume that we were wrong in whatever we are accused of because (they say) that if the matter goes to court, it is likely that we will be “thrown into jail.” The Mitzvah is therefore calling us to try to settle our differences, but without compromising biblical values because (1) compromising biblical values is forbidden by Scripture (i.e., Deuteronomy 5:29(32 ), and (2) because, the party who has done something wrong, is required to repent and, if possible, make full restitution. Subjects related to this Mitzvah (treated elsewhere in this compilation) are loving our neighbor, not sinning against our neighbor, forgiving our neighbor, repenting of sin, and making restitution when we do sin. Also, most of the Scriptures in the Bible about disputes are about disputes between believers, two of the most important being Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15-17.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 3