Shoftim 17:15 · unit 12

TT #95 · Parashas Shoftim · Second Aliyah · Passuk 17:15

The Complete Passuk

שׂ֣וֹם תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַ֛ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בּ֑וֹ מִקֶּ֣רֶב אַחֶ֗יךָ תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ לֹ֣א תוּכַ֗ל לָתֵ֤ת עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אִ֣ישׁ נׇכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־אָחִ֖יךָ הֽוּא׃

You shall surely set over yourself a king whom the Eternal your God will choose; from among your brethren you shall set a king over yourself; you may not place over yourself a foreigner who is not your brother.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Horayos 11a / related.

TT lemma: מֶלֶךְ.

Sefaria — Horayos 11a / related

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
מֶלֶךְ – זֶה נָשִׂיא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ.

English: ‘King’ – this refers to the Nasi, as it is said ‘you shall surely set a king over yourself.’

On the daf / in context: In certain contexts the laws of the king are applied analogously to the Nasi of the Sanhedrin.

Type of Learning

Derash by analogy (Bavli) — language of kingship is sometimes extended to the head of the court.

What Is Learned

Certain rules that govern the king also illuminate the status and dignity of the Nasi.