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The Jewish judicial
system was brought into existence after Moshe’s father-in-law Yisro
criticized the system he felt was wrought with confusion and delay. In
that system, Moshe bore the brunt of every minor complaint and grievance.
He ruled on everything, and it was too much for him. His father-in-law
would no longer allow it.
“What you are doing
is no good.” cried Yisro. “You and the entire nation will wither from
exhaustion.” (Exodus 18:17)
Yisro devised a
plan in which judges were appointed on many levels. The simple cases
would be presented to the lower judges, and the more difficult cases
would work their way up the system until they finally reached Moshe. It
was a workable plan that was received enthusiastically by Moshe and the
leadership. It was the foundation for every judicial system from that
time on.
Yisro ends his
ingenious instruction with a blessing and an assurance. “If you do this
thing — with G-d’s consent, then you will endure and the entire nation
will arrive at their place in peace.” (Exodus 18:23)
They are very
encouraging words. But they are difficult to relate to. What does
expedient adjudication have to do with arriving at one’s destination or
finding one’s place? What could Yisro mean by stating that if you mete
out justice everyone will arrive at his place in peace? He should have
said, “and the entire nation will live together in peace.” The words
“arrive at his place in peace” seem to have little meaning.
Rabbi Chaim
Kreisworth, the Chief Rabbi of Antwerp, Belgium, tells of a member of his
congregation who approached him obviously quite upset.
“Rabbi,” he
exclaimed, “I just don’t understand.” My friend Yankel and I began
businesses of the same type at approximately the same time. He is doing
remarkably well, while I am just floundering!.” “Are you working as hard
as he is?” Rabbi Kreisworth asked.
“I sure am!” came
the reply. “My place is right down the block from his, and I never close
my shop until I see his car pull away!”
“Perhaps he has
more employees?”
“Can’t be. I
checked with his manager, and I have recently added two more than he
has!”
“Perhaps the decor
of his store is more attractive to consumers?”
“It just can’t be
that, Rabbi. He remodeled last year, I checked the lighting, square
footage, display cases — and on each count I outdid him when I remodeled
a month later!”
At this point Rabbi
Kreisworth smiled, “I have it all figured out. The reason Yankel is doing
so much better than you is because he is only concerned in running his
business. You, my friend, are running two! If you would just stay in your
own place, you will also become a success.”
One of the Jewish
people’s greatest assets is their ability to watch their own place. “How
glorious are your tents, Jacob” is a reference to the dessert tents whose
doorways did not face each other. When Jews argue and there is no
justice, each one looks at the other: “what is he doing with my money?”
However, when quick and fair justice is meted, each party can go home
satisfied and ready to proceed with their own life. Yisro stated it with
an exact certainty “and the entire nation will arrive at their place in
peace.” If you have justice then everyone will truly arrive at his place
in peace. No one will be interested in someone else’s place! And in that
manner they all can find a place in peace.
Dedicated in memory of Morris Propp
by the Propp Family
Text Copyright © 1997 by Rabbi M. Kamenetzky and Project Genesis,
Inc.
The author is the
Dean of the Yeshiva of South Shore.
Drasha is the e-mail edition of FaxHomily, a
weekly torah facsimile on the weekly portion
which is sponsored by The
Henry and Myrtle Hirsch Foundation
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