My new Hevruta, Rabbis Ben Herman and Ian Silverman,
has been studying bi-weekly Moses Maimonides’ Mishnah Torah, the Laws of
Kings. As I was studying I remembered Prince
William and his wife Kate Middleton recently visit to the United States on a
whirlwind 3 day tour.
It’s good to be
king. Rambam teaches that all people
need to treat the king with great respect and awe. No one is ever allowed to
ride his horse, sit on his throne, use his scepter, wear his crown, or wear his
clothes. When the king dies, all these personal possessions are burnt so no
other may use them. (Chapter 2 Halacha 1)
According to Politico, the Senate Periodical Press Gallery emailed its
members with what was a timely reminder of how journalists should be expected
to behave when dealing with the royal couple. These included 'not taking pictures in the
wrong places, not walking backwards and not being so absorbed in a phone as to
run into people'. Other media outlets directed
their staff to the Buckingham Palace website, where a strict dress code can be
found for journalists wishing to cover Royal events. The rules state: 'Journalists wishing to
cover royal engagements, whether in the United Kingdom or abroad, should comply
with the dress code on formal occasions out of respect for the guests of the
Queen, or any other member of the royal family.
And remember the brouhaha when LeBron James dared to place his arm
around the Duchess of Cambridge at that photo shoot?
Nevertheless a Jewish king is very different
from the kings of the surrounding nations.
In chapter 3, Rambam enumerates a Jewish kings limitations. He may have no more than 18 wives and some
commentators include concubines in that number. (That is no great sacrifice
according to my father z’l who said that any man who has more than one wife
deserves it) He may not increase the number of horses that he needs for his own
personal chariot when he goes out to war.
He may not seek wealth in order for his prestige or for his
amusement. He should have in his
treasury only what he needs to run his country like the salaries of his army
corps and his staff. He may raise funds
for the community needs but not for his own personal use. He may not drink to excess less that leads to
drunkenness and nor be consumed by lewdness with women (Take that Prince
Andy). His sole occupation 24/7 should
be Torah study and the needs of the community.
The king is liable for lashes for any violation of these commandments.
Although so far in our studies, Rambam doesn’t enumerate who lashes the king.
How different is the ideal Jewish king
from modern day rulers whether they be royalty or just plain dictators. They live lavish lifestyles of the rich and
famous. When a dictator is deposed and
escapes the clutches of his countrymen, they usually have millions upon
millions of dollars skimmed from the country’s treasury to live off the rest of
their lives.
So I guess that Mel Brooks was wrong. It’s only just ok to be the (Jewish) king.
Its History of the World Part 1
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