Editing Archaos (Non-Jewish Courts) (section)

== Definition of "Strong Hand of Gentiles" in Laws of Civil Courts ==
In laws of civil courts, the term "strong hand of gentiles" is frequently mentioned. This means that gentile rule controls the country or place where the judgment is conducted, where gentile judges don't rule according to Torah law. Since in that place gentiles rule, the strong force is gentile law. Therefore when there is a defendant who refuses to obey Beis Din, the Beis Din can permit the plaintiff to turn to civil courts - but only if their laws rule in this case according to Torah law. This rule applies not only when gentiles have a strong hand, but even when Jews have a strong hand but the government law doesn't rule according to Torah law Heaven forbid - the law of government courts has the same status as when gentiles have a strong hand.