Judges

When Moshe Rabbeinu recounted events that took place in the desert, he told of the need to get help from others who would act as judges. He then focused on the proper conduct of a judge in Israel. The responsibility of judging was enormous. They were commanded not to take bribes or show favoritism to the rich or poor. They were told that it was their job to settle disputes between a man and his brother, and between the convert. The Gemara in יבמות learns from the fact that the convert is mentioned together with the subject of judges, that the only acceptable conversion, would be in front of a Beit Din of three judges. A declaration בינו ובין עצמו, done by himself, alone, is not considered a valid conversion. The Rabbis tell us that when a judge judges fairly, he becomes a partner with HaShem, who is the One and only true judge.