Follow the majority

Hi,

Regarding communal practices:

"We follow the majority, as our sacred Torah decreed, 'Incline after the many.' One who disputes the majority is called a sinner. Whether the majority are wealthy or indigent, learned or average, there is no difference; the community as a whole is considered a beit din [court] for communal matters."

והולכים אחרי הרוב לפי גזרת תורתנו הקדושה אחרי רבים להטות והחולק עם הרבים נקרא חוטא ואין חלוק בזה אם היה אותו הרוב עשירים או עניים חכמים או הדיוטות מאחר שכל הקהל הם נקראים בית דין לענינים שביניהם

(Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi, Responsum 53)

Note: I am not quite comfortable with my translation of הדיוט here; I am not sure whether to take it as referring to average people (excluding the truly ignorant), or to take it as including even the ignorant.

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Criteria for leadership

Hi,

"The oft-mentioned tuvei ha’ir [leadership of Jewish communities from talmudic times through the Middle Ages] are not necessarily the wisest, oldest or wealthiest, but rather the ones who work hardest in community needs, such that all of the community’s needs are handled by them and the eyes of the community turn to them for all of their needs, such as arranging charity and dedication of items for holy purposes. This is why they are called ‘community heads,’ since all of the needs of the community are executed by them."

(Responsa of Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi, 53)

Have a great day,
Mordechai