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Devarim -
Second Aliyah |
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Moses now describes his difficulties in governing the troublesome nation all on his own. He proceeds to tell the story of how he appointed people to assist him in organizing a tiered justice system. However, he fails to mention that the idea was originally suggested by Yitro (Jethro), his father-in-law (see Exodus 18:1-26). The section ends with Moses’ recounting the traumatic journey from Horev through the wilderness.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Compare this narrative with the Jethro episode in Exodus. What is the same and what is different?
2. In what way does our own social justice system reflect the judicial system established by Moses?
3. Moses chose “distinguished men, who were wise and well known...” (1:15, also Exodus 8:2). Are these the essential characteristics of good judges?
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“...’hear out the small as well as the great...!’ Resh Lakish says: This verse indicates that a lawsuit involving a mereperutah (the smallest of coins) must be regarded as important to you as one involving a hundred mina ( a substantial weight in gold or silver equal to one hundred ancient shekels)...If it (the small) comes before you first, you should not set it [the case] aside until last.”
Talmud Sanhedrin 8a commenting on 1:1
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How many laws are there in 1:17? What does this Talmudic passage teach us about being a lawyer? How should law cases be prioritized?
Why does Moses recount the setting up of the judges at this point? How does it fit in to the context of Chapter 1?
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