Daily Rambam (1) Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 2: The Honor and Conduct of Kings (Friday, 5th Shevat)

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Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 2: The Honor and Conduct of Kings

Halacha 1 – Obligation to Honor the King

The king must be treated with great honor, and awe of him must be instilled in everyone’s heart. We may not ride his horse, sit on his throne, use his scepter, wear his crown, or use his utensils. When he dies, these items are burned before his bier. Only another king may use his attendants, as seen with Avishag being permitted to Solomon but forbidden to Adoniyahu.

Halacha 2 – Prohibition Regarding the King’s Wife

A king’s wife is forbidden to any other man forever. Even another king may not marry a king’s widow or divorced ex-wife.

Halacha 3 – Preserving the King’s Dignity

It is forbidden to see the king naked, while bathing, or while drying himself. He may not perform chalitzah because the ritual involves spitting before him, which is disrespectful. Even if he wishes to do so, he is not allowed. Since he cannot perform chalitzah, he cannot participate in yibbum, and his widow remains attached forever.

Halacha 4 – Mourning and Temple Privileges

If a close relative dies, the king does not leave his palace. When served the meal of comfort, the entire nation sits on the ground while he sits on a low couch. If he enters the Temple courtyard and is of David’s lineage, he may sit, as only Davidic kings may sit there.

Halacha 5 – Royal Appearance and Public Honor

The king should have his hair cut daily and wear beautiful garments, as Isaiah 33:17 says: “Your eyes shall behold the king in his beauty.” He sits on his throne with a crown on his head. When he summons the nation, they stand and prostrate themselves before him—even prophets must bow, as Nathan did before David.

A High Priest does not need to stand before the king; rather, the king stands before the High Priest when consulting the Urim and Tumim. Privately, the king should honor Torah scholars and the Sanhedrin, seating them at his side. King Jehoshaphat even rose and kissed Torah students privately. In public, however, the king should maintain authority and speak firmly to instill awe.

Halacha 6 – Humility and Character of the King

Despite his great honor, the king must be humble and not arrogant, as Deuteronomy 17:20 commands: “He should not lift his heart above his brothers.” He should be merciful to all, protect the honor of the humble, and speak gently to the people, as seen in I Chronicles 28:2 and I Kings 12:7. He should bear the nation’s burdens patiently, like a shepherd caring for his flock, as described in Psalms 78:71 and Isaiah 40:11.

 

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.