Jethro Given a Place of Honor Through the Appointing of Elders

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 18:17

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Moses' father-in-law said to him: The thing that you are doing is not good" (Exodus 18:17). Beloved is Jethro, for he was given a place in which to distinguish himself, namely the appointment of elders. But was not the appointment of elders a fitting matter before the Holy One, blessed be He? And why did the Holy One, blessed be He, not command it to Moses first? Rather, in order to give greatness to Jethro in the eyes of Moses and all the children of Israel, so as to say: Great was Jethro, for the Holy One, blessed be He, agreed with his words. And Jethro too said it only on a condition, that the Holy One, blessed be He, would agree with his words, as it is said (verse 23): "If you do this thing, and God commands you."

Themes

LeadershipWisdomMoses

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