It turns out, the ancient stories have a lot to say on the matter.
We find ourselves with Moses, after the giving of the Torah, setting up the legal system. He didn’t just appoint judges and walk away. Oh no. He gave them detailed instructions on handling both civil and criminal cases. And he reminded the people to respect the judges, to give them the veneration they deserved.
Why all the fuss about justice? Because, my friends, justice is everything. The text says that for someone who hates justice, there is no remedy. That's pretty stark, isn't it? But on the flip side, a judge who decides conscientiously, with a clear conscience, is a true peacemaker. This isn't just for the benefit of Israel, but for the entire world, all living creatures. As Legends of the Jews, by Louis Ginzberg, tells us, justice is the cornerstone of well-being.
Now, here’s a fascinating twist. The installation of these elders, these judges, was at God's command. Makes sense, right? Divine law needs divine implementation. But… it was Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who actually suggested the idea!
Think about that for a second. Moses, the great leader, the lawgiver, needed advice from his father-in-law to lighten his burden. And Moses, being the mensch that he was, didn’t hide this fact. He made it known to everyone that it was Jethro's idea. He even immortalized Jethro in the Holy Scriptures.
Why? Because Moses understood the importance of appreciating the merits of others. He knew that good ideas can come from anywhere, and that credit should be given where credit is due. It's a powerful lesson in humility and leadership, isn't it?
But there's something even deeper going on here. According to Legends of the Jews, God had a specific reason for allowing Jethro to be the one to suggest the idea. It was a way to reward Jethro for his love of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, or the Law).
Think about it: God orchestrates events so that Moses' attention is drawn to the plan of installing elders through his father-in-law. And as a result, the Holy Scriptures devote an entire chapter to Jethro's plan! God made sure Jethro’s contribution was never forgotten.
What does all this tell us? Perhaps that good governance isn’t just about laws and procedures. It’s about recognizing the wisdom in others, about giving credit where it’s due, and about understanding that even the most righteous leaders can benefit from good counsel. And, perhaps most importantly, it highlights the profound importance of justice in creating a peaceful and thriving world. A world where even a non-Jew like Jethro can contribute to its sacred institutions.