daf bit: Sanhedrin 6

[cellio]

(The Sanhedrin was the supreme rabbinic court in ancient times. Tractate Sanhedrin concerns itself in large part with how courts operate (not just that one but all courts).

The rabbis discuss whether arbitration is permitted (and meritorious) or forbidden (because cases should be settled by law, not negotiation). R. Yehudah b. Korha says that settlement by arbitration is meritorious, for it is written "execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates". Surely, he says, where there is strict justice there is no peace, and where there is peace there is no strict justice. What kind of justice produces peace? Arbitration. (Rav agrees with this position.) (6b)