Amazing: What the Hasidic Lawyer Replied When the Secular Judge Asked About a Psalm

What makes a secular judge suddenly interested in Judaism, curious about a chapter from Psalms? For Shachar Bakshi, a Hasidic lawyer whose holy path includes inserting words of Torah at every possible opportunity, this is hardly surprising. One such opportunity arose during a hearing at the Tel Aviv District Court, where Bakshi was representing a party in a partnership dissolution case.

Bakshi was surprised when the secular judge turned to him suddenly after a casual conversation developed between the lawyers and the judge, confessing to Bakshi that he "really loves Psalm 27."

The surprise continued when the secular judge asked Bakshi to explain why this psalm is customarily recited specifically during the month of Elul.

In response, Bakshi preferred not to give an irresponsible off-the-cuff answer and promised the judge that he would look into it and provide an answer soon. Immediately afterward, he researched the sources and at the next opportunity provided the judge with a document labeled "Notice of Presenting a Torah Insight."

In this document, the lawyer described in detail the answer to the judge's question, including interesting quotes from the 'Ohev Yisrael' of Apta and the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l from his book 'Chazon Ovadia.' "I am delighted to have the privilege of passing on the holy words of our sages, of blessed memory, for the honorable court's study and knowledge," Bakshi wrote in the document. "I, too, have had the fortune to learn and gain more wisdom. I wish and know that this psalm and other holy teachings in Halacha and Judaism will be a guiding light for the honorable court in its judgments over the people of Israel."

In response to this document, the judge replied with another document, expressing gratitude for Bakshi's submission, concluding: "May Attorney Bakshi be blessed."