A ruling from the bench

Jesus speaks of the scribes and Pharisees sitting on the “chair of Moses.” Archeologists have uncovered stone chairs in prominent places in ancient synagogues where such leaders presumably sat as they pronounced on all things related to Jewish Law and Tradition. When it came to fulfilling the spirit of the Law rather than just the letter, Jesus called out the hypocrisy of those who did not practice what they preach. In any field—politics, business, religion—leaders need to be judged not by the eloquence of their words but by the integrity of their actions. That goes for all of us, wherever we take our seat!