DEUT881 It is written (Mishlei 8:32): "And now, children, listen to me, and happy are those who heed my ways." The Blessed Creator says to Israel: "I ask only that you listen to me. If you listen to me, I will fulfill what was foretold by the prophets (Yeshayahu 1:19): 'If you are willing, and listen, then you will eat the good of the land,' and (Mishlei 8:34): 'Happy is the man who listens to me.'" Therefore, one should direct his mind to do the will of the Blessed Creator and not deviate from his teachers and from those who are greater than he. And so it is written in the Torah (this verse; Devarim 17:9-12). From all this we can recognize the goodness and greatness of the trait of willingness, in which all the Torah is subsumed. Even if the Sages tell you that left is right and right, left, acquiesce and listen to them, and annul your mind and your will in order to do as they say. How much more so when they tell you that right is right and left, left.

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DEUT884 The "they" [in this verse] is broadly interpreted to include the Rabbis [in their rabbinic enactments concerning halakha].

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DEUT885 Great is human dignity, which overrides a negative commandment in the Torah. Which is that? Rav b. R. Sheva explicated in the presence of R. Cahana: The negative commandment, "You shall not turn aside" [i.e., Where abiding by a Rabbinical injunction would undermine human dignity, the injunction is overridden] (Berachoth 19b)

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DEUT886 See [[DEUT610]] Deuteronomy 13:6 death AMJV 354

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DEUT887 See [[DEUT634]] Deuteronomy 13:11 stone SPERO 233-4

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DEUT888 See [[DEUT15]] Deuteronomy 1:17 afraid GATES 375

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DEUT890 See [[LEX1062]] Leviticus 25:36 interest OXFORD 46

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DEUT889 See [[DEUT17]] Deuteronomy 1:17 afraid TZADIK 409-11

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DEUT891 Appoint a Jewish king over yourselves. Key concept is the benefit that accrues to the nation when one man rules and manages national affairs. (See Deuteronomy 17:15 non-Jewish CHINUCH 323. Without a king, the people are much less able to live in peace and harmony with one another.

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DEUT892 Do not appoint a non-Jewish king over yourselves. Key concept is that people in positions of authority must speak and act in ways that cause their underlings to accept and submit their decisions. For this reason, the high officials of our nation must be of Jewish seed, for Jews are merciful, having inherited this trait from their fathers. With mercy in their blood, they will exercise their authority with mercy, never oppressing anyone and never abusing their authority. They will love truth, righteousness and virtue. As is known, the descendants of Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov possess these qualities inherently. From this main idea of the mitzvah we derive that we are forbidden to appoint over ourselves anyone who is cold, evil or cruel. If such a person is given authority--perhaps because he is a relative, or because people fear him and want to flatter him--evil will not cease from the homes of those who appointed him. One who fears no man and with all of one’s might seek the good of the community will earn unceasing reward from Hashem, in this world and in the next.

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