This Torah portion includes the obligation to resolve in the central court, i.e., the Sanhedrin, disputes relating to Torah laws, and to follow the court’s rulings absolutely. There are contrary approaches concerning what to do when the court’s ruling is clearly contrary to logic and truth: Must one obey it?

“You shall not deviate from the matter that they will tell you, right or left” (Deuteronomy 17:1). This teaches that even if it seems to you that they ruled about right that it is left and about left that it is right, nevertheless, obey them.

Alternatively: Does this mean that if the Sanhedrin tells you with regard to right that it is left and with regard to left that it is right, you should obey them? The verse states: “To go right or left.” Obey the Sanhedrin only when they tell you about right that it is right and about left that it is left. (Sifrei Devarim, Shofetim 154; Jerusalem Talmud, Horayot 1:1)