DEUT31 It is a negative commandment not to appoint a judge who is unsuitable for Scripture states, You shall not respect persons in judgment [this verse]; and it was explained in the Midrash Sifre that this is addressed to the man assigned to appoint judges, so he should not respect persons: He should not say, "So-and-so is strong," or handsome, or wise in other fields of knowledge or other areas of excellence, which are not related to the Torah and the reverent fear of Heaven [God]. For a judge needs to be wise in the Torah, reverent toward Heaven, with a hatred of bribery, who subdues his evil impulse; and he should have a strong, fearless heart to rescue an exploited or victimized person from the one who oppresses him. These are the notable qualities that a judge needs to have. If, however, someone appointed judges on account of other qualities, he violates the prohibition.