He was dealing with a situation far beyond a simple disagreement. Two men, unnamed in this particular telling, had committed some transgression serious enough to warrant a confrontation. But they wouldn't even talk about it.
As Ginzberg recounts in Legends of the Jews, this silence was almost unbearable for Moses. It wasn't just about the transgression itself, but the refusal to even discuss it. "A man does get a certain amount of satisfaction out of discussing the dispute with his opponents," Ginzberg writes, "whereas he feels badly if he cannot discuss the matter."
Think about that for a moment. There's a human need to be heard, to argue your case, even if you're in the wrong. To be denied that is a profound rejection.
In his anger, Moses turned to God. He knew that these sinners had participated in the communal offerings, offerings made on behalf of all of Israel. These were sacrifices of animals and produce, brought to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) as acts of devotion and atonement. And Moses, feeling deeply betrayed, made a powerful request, "O Lord of the world!… as they have withdrawn themselves from the community, accept not Thou their share of the offering and let it not be consumed by the heavenly fire." He asked that their portion be rejected, a symbolic exclusion from the community’s collective merit.
But Moses's plea went further than just this specific transgression. He also defended his own integrity. "It was I whom they treated so," he lamented, "I who took no money from the people for my labors, even when payment was my due." He reminded God – and perhaps also himself – of his selfless service.
He highlighted how he had not taken any payment for his work, even though he was entitled to it. "It is customary for anyone who works for the sanctuary to receive pay for his work, but I traveled to Egypt on my own ass, and took none of theirs, although I undertook the journey in their interests." He had even used his own resources, his own donkey, for the journey to Egypt, all to serve the people.
And he emphasized his commitment to justice, saying, "It is customary for those that have a dispute to go before a judge, but I did not wait for this, and went straight to them to settle their disputes, never declaring the innocent guilty, or the guilty innocent." He was a leader who went directly to the source of conflict, striving for fairness and reconciliation.
Moses's words reveal a deep sense of injustice, not just for himself, but for the community he served. It's a reminder that leadership isn't just about power and authority; it's about integrity, selflessness, and a commitment to justice, even when faced with the most frustrating of circumstances. It's a call to remember those who serve us, often without recognition, and to appreciate the sacrifices they make.
What does it mean to truly serve a community? And what do we owe those who lead us, especially when they are met with defiance and disrespect?