All Rise for Judge Mommy

“And these are the laws that you should set before them.” (Shemos 21:1)

The Baal HaTurim teaches that the first two words of this parshah allude to the two fundamental tasks that the members of a beis din must fulfill: To issue the Torah’s ruling regarding a dispute, or to persuade the litigants to agree to a compromise.

The letters of the first word, “V’eileh,” spell out v’chayav adam lachkor hadin — a person is required to research the judgment. And the first letters of the second word, “hamishpatim,” spell out hadayan metzuveh sheyaaseh p’sharah terem yaaseh mishpat — the judge is commanded to attempt to make the parties compromise before he issues an exact ruling (Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Dorash Dovid).

Supreme Court justices are appointed for life. Thus, some 20-odd years ago, I was elected as Judge Mommy, a position I hold until today. It all started with the birth of my second child. The minute you have more than one child is the minute you join the auspicious ranks of judgmental tribunals.

“Mommy!! Tell her!! It’s my doll!! Her doll has a dot on the cheek and mine doesn’t. Maaa!! Right it’s mine??” (Two-year-old to one-year-old).

“Mommy…. he had the Rubik’s Cube for 17,000 hours and now it’s my turn!! Right, Ma?! Tell him!” (Younger bro to older).

“You guys are so spoiled! Ma, how come you changed all the rules of the house for the younger kids? We never got away with that!” (Older set to younger).