WHAT THE BIB !!!

Hello readers, the image of a lawyer is often portrayed as a person wearing a white and black colored combination attire with a gown and a bib. 

What is a bib and what are the history and significance of it.

A bib which is also known as a jabot is a white piece of cloth made out of linen or cotton is worn around the neck of a lawyer in court.

Besides serving as one of the identities of a lawyer, a bib also has a rich historical background.

It is said that the bib actually represents the two stone tablets handed down to Prophet Moses by God of the Israelites.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike believe that Prophet Moses is one of the greatest prophets that God commissioned to save the Israelites from slavery and torture by  Pharaoh Ramses. 

The stone tablets handed down to Moses by God are also known as the 10 commandments which are simply God's commandment to the Israelites. 

Later on, the Jews derived all the religious laws and practices from these 10 commandments. These commandments acted as a written constitution for them in which laws are derived from in respect to the Jewish people.

Why are the Ten Commandments plays such an important role in the growth of law and its jurisprudence?

To answer this one should post a question to themselves.

WHY DO WE OBEY THE LAW?

DO WE OBEY IT BASED ON OUR OWN MORAL CONSCIENCES?

WOULD WE STILL OBEY IT THERES NO PUNISHMENT IMPOSED? 

WHO DO WE TURN TO AS OUR MORAL GUIDE?

Perhaps these simple questions would lead to a better understanding of the law and its science.

Humanity has always struggled to find its moral compass and focal point throughout the ages and still is.

Many Jurists have offered some explanation to this conundrum but again its always open for arguments and new thoughts and interpretation. 

Man-made laws are often intertwined with morality, one cannot run from it. 

But the question arises yet again. Who determines what is moral and not.

Surprisingly the ancient Israelites never faced this issue as they believe that their Jewish Laws were Heaven-sent.

So the next time a legal practitioner wears his or her bib before appearing in open Court, feel free to tickle your mind with the above histography. 😃

Joel Ruben John
Advocate & Solicitor
of the High Court of Malaya