The Ohr Hachaim explains the juxtaposition between the first possuk of this week’s Parsha and the end of last week’s Parsha.
Parshas Re’eh ends with the Parsha of Yamim Tovim, when we are commanded to travel to the Beis Hamikdash three times each year to celebrate the kindness Hashem has shown us.
The Ohr Hachaim explains that a person who travels to the Beis Hamikdash, the location of the supreme Beis Din of Klal Yisroel, three times each year, may convince himself that he has no need for any local Beis Din. He may think that the authority of the Beis Din Hagadol is sufficient for him.
The Torah therefore tells us that we need Batei Din in every town and county in Eretz Yisroel. Justice should not be delayed until Yomtov; people should be able to adjudicate their disagreements in a timely fashion.
The pessukim are to be read thus: even though you will be traveling to the Beis Hamikdash, you should not rely on that, and you should make sure to appoint judges in your cities as well as in Yerushalayim.
Choosing the Best Dayanim
The Torah is now telling us how to choose a Beis Din. If a person lives in a town where there is a choice of Talmidei Chachamim who could serve on a Beis Din. A person may think that it would be sufficient for him to choose any Talmidei Chachamim to serve as Dayanim. He does not need to choose the greatest of them all to serve in the Beis Din, seeing as the lesser ones are also qualified.
The Ohr Hachaim explains that this possuk is warning us to make sure that they choose the most competent of them all. The Torah repeats the word צדק – justice, to tell us that we need to find the best we possibly can, and not suffice with anyone.
