The Eye of a Hawk and Communism

A question I couldn't help but wonder about in this week's parsha: Yitro proposes a court system that seems very reminiscent of communism. In China, and notoriously so with the KGB in the Former USSR, everyone had a watchful eye on everyone else. And yet, Yitro recommends an insane arrangement, where every 11th man is a judge in some shape or form!

"You shall also seek out, from among all the people, capable individuals who fear God—trustworthy ones who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and let them judge the people at all times. Have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them decide every minor dispute themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them share the burden with you."

What kind of system entails so many judges? It is really hard to answer for me; I don't fully understand the thinking here. And, the presumption that every 11th man has the acumen, knowhow, and wisdom to be a judge is all the more far-reaching. 

More than anything, food for thought, but it would seem more than anything, this model - one that reminds me very much of the book, "The Wave," and how arbitrary authority can lead to unchecked cruelty - would pose a lot of practical issues and problems. 

It would be fascinating to know if this system was actually implemented; the Torah does record that a Sandedrin of 71 elders was created, and that other chiefs were created, or chosen, but it could very well be that those lower down in the system were not actual judges but helped advise or guide the adjudicants, rather than actually judging them themselves. 

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