Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Do not give anyone special recognition when rendering judgment; hear the small as well as the great; fear no man; for the judgment is G-d's. And the thing that is too hard for you, bring it to me, and I will hear it -- Moses' instruction to the magistrates, Deuteronomy 1:16-17