11/04/2026
🗳️ As Americans and Israelis head to the polls, the Torah offers us a fascinating contradiction about democracy, majority rule, and justice.
Maimonides teaches that following the majority is actually a mitzvah! (Sefer HaMitzvot, Positive Commandment 175).
But the Torah says something surprising:
“You shall not follow a majority to do wrong, nor shall you testify in a dispute by turning aside after the majority to pervert justice.” (Exodus 23:2)
Wait… are we supposed to follow the majority or not?
From this very same verse, the Talmud derives the principle Acharei rabim lehatot — Follow the majority. When judges disagree, the majority determines the legal decision (Sanhedrin 2a).
And here lies the extraordinary tension: The majority has the authority to decide, but does that mean the majority is always right?
Democracy depends on majority rule. Without it, how could we govern, legislate, or resolve disagreements? But history reminds us that majorities can also make terrible decisions, violate fundamental rights, and silence minorities.
Winning an election gives a majority the legitimacy to govern. But does it give them the moral authority to do absolutely anything?
The Torah challenges us to hold two principles together: Respect the majority, but never confuse majority rule with moral truth.
Because a healthy democracy needs majorities to make decisions — and moral principles, independent institutions, and protections for minorities to ensure that power does not become injustice.
Perhaps the most important question is not simply who has the majority, but what limits should exist on what a majority can do?
