Editing Archaos (Non-Jewish Courts) (section)

== Severity of Going to Archaos ==
The Rambam writes that one who turns to courts that do not rule according to Torah law - Archaos - is called wicked and it is as if they blasphemed and raised their hand against the Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu. The reason for the prohibition against going to Archaos is that the Torah states "And these are the judgments that you shall place before them." The word "before them" means before Jewish judges and not before non-Jewish judges.

The prohibition of going to Archaos is so severe that in a situation where there are no judges fit to judge, we appoint other judges even if they are not fit to judge, as long as Jews don't turn to Archaos. Apparently, there is no permission to turn to Archaos in any form, even if they judge according to Jewish law. Part of the prohibition is judging before non-Jewish judges, even if those courts rule according to Torah law.