"Thou hast every right to drown him in the sea!" they cried out. Strong words, right? But remember, this is after generations of enslavement and suffering inflicted upon the Israelites.

And then we have Uzza. Now, Uzza isn’t a name that jumps out from the Torah narratives, but here he plays a fascinating role. Hearing the verdict, Uzza, with what must have been incredible courage, pleaded with God. "O Lord of all the worlds!" he exclaimed. "I know that my people deserve the punishment Thou has decreed, but may it please Thee to deal with them according to Thy attribute of mercy, and take pity upon the work of Thy hands, for Thy tender mercies are over all Thy works!" Imagine the scene. An angel, arguing for mercy, for compassion, even when justice seemed to demand retribution.

It’s a powerful moment, and the story tells us that God was almost swayed. Almost ready to temper justice with mercy. But then…

Then Michael steps in. He signals to Gabriel, who is given a grim task. A task that will irrevocably change the course of events. Gabriel flies to Egypt, and this is where it gets truly chilling. He retrieves a brick. Just a single brick. But not just any brick. This brick, according to the legend, had been made using a Hebrew child as mortar.

Can you imagine the horror?

Gabriel returns, holding this damning piece of evidence, and confronts God. "O Lord of the world! Wilt Thou have compassion with the accursed nation that has slaughtered Thy children so cruelly?"

The effect is immediate. God, confronted with this tangible evidence of unimaginable cruelty, turns away from His attribute of mercy. He ascends His throne of justice, and the decision is made: the Egyptians will be drowned in the sea.

It’s a stark reminder that even in the face of divine compassion, the weight of human actions can tip the scales. The brick becomes a symbol – a symbol of the suffering, the brutality, and the ultimate consequence of injustice.

This story, found within the larger tapestry of Legends of the Jews, leaves us with a profound question. How do we balance justice and mercy? How do we ensure that the horrors of the past are not forgotten, while still striving for a future where compassion prevails? It's a question that echoes through the ages, and one that continues to challenge us today.