Torah Portion: Mishpatim
Do not accept a bribe (Shemos 23:8).
It is a negative commandment that a judge not accept a bribe from litigants, even if it is so that he will judged according to the truth, as it is written, Do not accept a bribe.
Among the roots of the mitzvah: We are forbidden to accept a bribe even for the sake of judging the case truthfully to banish this bad custom from our midst, lest we come to judge falsely under the influence of bribes. This is obvious.
The laws of the mitzvah include that both the giver and the recipient transgress a negative commandment — the one who gives because of the prohibition Do not place a stumbling block before the blind, and the one who receives it transgress a “curse.” He must also return [the money].
This mitzvah applies in all places and at all times, to men who are worthy of judging.
