Ginzberg, in his masterful Legends of the Jews, paints a vivid picture of this pivotal moment. Moses, witnessing an Egyptian taskmaster brutally beating a Hebrew slave, was faced with an impossible choice.
But why did Moses act? Why not wait for someone else? According to the legend, he did wait. He hoped, perhaps against hope, that someone, anyone, driven by righteous anger, would step forward to defend the oppressed. But no one did. He was alone with this terrible injustice.
So, what went through his mind? Wouldn't any of us hesitate? To take a life is a profound act. Moses, it's said, wrestled with the possibility that the Egyptian might repent, might turn away from his cruelty and dedicate himself to good. He even considered the generations to come, wondering if there might be descendants of this wicked man who would deserve mercy.
It's a very human moment, isn't it? This internal struggle, this weighing of possibilities.
But then, something shifted. The holy spirit, Ginzberg tells us, intervened, dispelling his doubts. Moses was shown that there was no hope for redemption, neither for the Egyptian himself nor for any of his future lineage. This wasn't just a matter of personal vengeance; it was about preventing further evil.
Even then, Moses didn't rush into action. He consulted the angels! Imagine seeking counsel from celestial beings before making such a weighty decision. And the angels, agreeing that the Egyptian deserved death, confirmed his course.
It’s a fascinating detail, isn’t it? That Moses, even with divine guidance, still sought confirmation. He acted only after exhausting every avenue, every possibility of avoiding violence. He only acted after he was sure. And only then, with a heavy heart, did Moses act to requite the Egyptian for his crimes.