Talk about humility. Moses had a rough week in this week’s parsha.
His father in law comes to town, criticizes him that he is on a path to failure, he gives up a great deal of power and the “big boss” goes directly to the people Moses has led.
For those of us who fancy ourselves leaders or powerful, any one of these steps might be insurmountable for our egos.
Moses makes it work.
This week’s parsha is Yitro or Yisro (or Jethro) – Exodus 18:1-20:23. [Yes, the Torah portion with the Ten Commandments is named for Jethro, minister of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, who converts to Judaism.]
Jethro says to Moses:
“The thing that you do is not good.”
Ouch.
Thanks for coming to see me Mr. Minister.
Of course, that’s not Moses’ response and the events that led to the criticism are instructive as well.
Jethro’s own humility is attested at the beginning of the Parsha.
“I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you, with your wife and her two sons with her.”
Rashi comments that Jethro’s request was to see Moses first on his own account. To show his respect for Moses though, that even if Moses does not wish to see Jethro, then at least for the sake of Moses’ wife and if not for her sake, then for the sake of his own children. The minister of Midian knew Moses’ greatness.
Of course, showing respect in and of itself didn’t buy Jethro’s ticket to criticize Moses. Before suggesting that “this thing” is “not good”, he first asked what Moses was doing and why. Jethro also knew, that he didn’t know everything.
After receiving the explanation and observing Moses’ behaviour, he not only said it wasn’t good, but explained “why” it wasn’t good. The consequences of Moses continuing the behaviour:
You will surely weary…You will not be able to do it alone.
Then, Jethro offers a solution. But instead of suggesting that it is Jethro’s own observation that has merit, he asks Moses to touch base with G-d, to see if its a good idea.
Now, to the nature of the problem itself. Moses was from morning to evening judging all the problems that people had. They waited on him.
Jethro’s solution: create some more judges. The other judges will handle the minor issues and the major issues will come to Moses. According to Rashi, Moses handed over judgment duties to 78,600 other men.
Now that’s giving up control. He becomes the ultimate messenger of G-d’s will but gives up control as its sole spokesperson.
We also have one other major instance of Moses’ humility. Although he was the only man to go to the top of Mt. Sinai, the entire people heard G-d’s voice. Up until now, G-d had essentially spoken through Moses and Aaron. But now, that the people were ready to receive they Torah, they make a new request of Moses.
Rashi writes:
I [Moses] heard from the people of Israel, they want to hear directly from you (G-d).
After all he had done for them, the people feel its time for them to hear (or see) G-d directly. Moses brings this response directly back to G-d, who heeds it. Moses’ own position is not a thought, for he acknowledges that he is just the messenger.
And what was the payoff? The giving of the Ten Commandments (and the entire Torah).
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A short note on judges. In Yitro, we learn the keys to being a good judge:
Men of means, G-d-fearing people, men of truth, people who despise money, and you shall appoint them leaders…
Each attribute is worth studying and should we only have judges like this, the world would be a better place.
Some judges soar even higher.
Later in the parsha, we read something else that I feel is worth mentioning:
…I carried you on the wings of eagles.
This is how G-d describes his taking the people of Israel out of Egypt.
Rashi comments that all other birds carry their young beneath them but for eagles. For since no bird soars above the eagle, the only thing it must protect its young against are the arrows of man, so it puts itself in front of them to protect them.
Much like Judge John Roll:
Federal Judge John Roll was killed in Tucson trying to save another man’s life. As soon as madman Jared Lee Loughner finished his attempt to murder Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, he turned his gun on the people to his left, then the people to his right. Recently released video shows his first target to the right was Ron Barber, Gifford’s district director, who was standing next to Justice John Roll.
Barber was shot in the arm. Judge Roll then pushed him down and, shielding Barber with his own body, steered him to shelter under a nearby table. While under the table, Loughner aimed for Roll’s exposed back and pulled the trigger. The video continues as Judge Roll looks up over his right shoulder, lies back down and dies at the scene.
Some judges are more than G-d-fearing. They are simply great men, like Judge John Roll.
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Other thoughts for the future:
Elevator: Elevating the special relationship by elevating others
The boss said…
Modesty to a rock
Kol Vachomer (times 2) and Hobgoblins
Love and fear at Sinai
Saying two things at once
Remember from whence you came
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[I will take a lesson, or story, or example from the week's Torah reading and do my best to apply it to something in the real world, according to my experience. Many apologies to the rabbis and partners with whom I have studied. What I write here is my own - when correct blessed only with their help, when off-base, firmly a result of my ignorance or worse.]
