He devoted his life to the judges, and they were called by

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Shirah 1:8

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 23, 2025

He devoted his life to the judges, and they were called by his name, viz. (Devarim 16:18) "Judges and officers shall you appoint for yourself in all of your gates." Now is justice not the L–rd's? How, then, are we to understand "shall you appoint for yourself"? Because he devoted his life to them, they were called by his name. And whence is it derived that he devoted his life to them? From (Exodus 2:13-17) "And he went out on the second day … and he said "Who made you an officer and a judge over us? … And Pharaoh heard … And the priest of Midian had seven daughters … And the shepherds came and drove them away. Because he devoted his life to them, they were called by his name.

Themes

Moses Divine justice Judges Judgment Egypt

Biblical References

Exodus 2:13-17

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