Q. Is there a source in our literature for elections of schul officers, gabbai, etc., or is it a concept entirely borrowed from the gentiles?
A. On question 1188 on the mitzva of electing a government we wrote: “The Netziv (Haemek Dovor – Bereshis 9: 7) explains that the commandment of “P'ru Urbu” (Be fruitful and multiply) said to Noach, incorporates in the word “Urbu” an expression of grandness and rule, necessary for humans to survive as a viable lawful society.
Others maintain that the source for establishing a government is the mitzva of “Shoftim Veshotrim” (You shall set up judges and law enforcement officials for yourself in all your cities – Devarim 16: 18). They maintain that it stands as a separate mitzva, given even before they could name a king. (See Rambam – H. Deos 2: 3, Sanhedrin 25a in regards to naming a Parness, Teshuvo Meahavo 1: 208).
Maharitz (Teshuvos Chadoshos 133) asserts that the need for the rule of a government stems from Moshe Rabbenu's plea; "Let Hashem, the G-d of spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation... so that the congregation... will not be like sheep without a shepherd."
Teshuvos Vehanhogos (3: 431) maintains that government rule it is basically a rabbinical commandment.”
On question 1190 in regards to democratic elections we wrote: Talmud (Brochos 55a) teaches that “We do not appoint a Parnes or community leader unless the people were first consulted.” Pirkei D’Rabi Eliezer (11) mentions that: “the people choose the king, the king does not choose himself.” Abarbanel (introduction to Shoftim, first part) writes: “Judges and kings are named through Beis Din, but the people have to accept them. Rambam (Peirush Hamishnayos – Bechoros 4:4) rules that the Exilarch (Reish Galussa) can only be appointed with the consent and acceptance of the community.
Rema in Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 163: 1), Hagoos Maimonios (H. Tefila 11: 2) and others rule that all tax paying individuals should be summoned to voice their opinion and the majority will decide. Avnei Nezer (Y.D. 312: 5) and others explain how majority rules. Chazon Ish (Baba Bassra 15a) describes an advisable method to be used in a large city. Namely, to choose representatives from every congregation who in turn will elect the Seven Leaders or Tovei Hair.
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a mentioned the opinion of most Poskim that the people are granted a vote when they pay the community taxes.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
Important Numbers
