
Daily Aliyah
February 10, 2025 at 06:39 AM
Dvar Torah for Yisro 2nd Aliyah:
Actual text: https://tinyurl.com/2v4zrmpv
Parashas Yisro chronicles Moshe’s father-in-law’s visit. As Yisro observed Moshe sitting and rendering judgments for the people all day, he realized that the process was bad for the people and Moshe and that a more sustainable system must be established. Yisro suggests a hierarchal judicial system allowing people to “reach their place in peace” (18:23). Why would this delegation increase peace? If anything, being more removed from Moshe’s direct teachings would seem worse.
The Netziv asked this question and explained by quoting from the Gemara. The Gemara says that mediation is the preferred mode of conflict resolution because both sides are able to get at least some of what they each want, thereby increasing overall peace. While Moshe’s actions reflected a predisposition for preferred justice, he ultimately agreed with and implemented Yitro’s suggestion for a hierarchy of judges—for the ultimate good of the people and overall harmony.
Because Moshe was essentially a judge and could not mediate, it necessitated a delegation of responsibility to others, enabling them to contribute to their new Jewish brotherhood. We all have our strengths and limitations, and when we recognize them, we are able to have confidence on others to maximize our individual and collective potential.
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