It all centers around the Hebrew word ve’eleh, meaning "these are."

The Midrash opens with a question: What's so special about ve’eleh? The Rabbis of old saw in it a profound testament to God's love for Moses. Remember back in Egypt? Moses steps in to stop a fight between two Israelites, and Datan and Aviram lash out: "Who appointed you to be a leader and a judge over us?" (Exodus 2:14). Ouch! A stinging rebuke.

But, according to this Midrash, God doesn't forget such things. He turns their insult into Moses' glory. God says, in effect, "Because they demeaned him with those words, I will grant him greatness." How? Through the very phrase "These are [ve’eleh] the ordinances." The Zohar, that foundational text of Kabbalah, often illuminates the hidden connections between events and words, and here we see it in action.

The connection lies in the Hebrew. The Midrash points out that the word "appointed you" (samkha) shares a root with the word "place" (tasim) in the verse "These are the ordinances that you shall place [tasim] before them." The vav at the beginning of ve’eleh, a seemingly small conjunction, acts as a bridge, linking this moment to the earlier insult. It's as if God is saying, "Remember what they said? Well, now you are the one placing the ordinances before the people!" It's a divine mic drop, if you will.

There's more! The Midrash continues, shifting our focus slightly. Remember Jethro, Moses' father-in-law? He advises Moses to delegate some of his judicial responsibilities (Exodus 18:21). Jethro outlines four key attributes to look for in potential judges: capable men, fearers of God, men of truth, haters of ill-gotten gain.

But Moses, in his haste, seems to only focus on the first attribute: capable men (Exodus 18:25). He appoints judges, but according to the Midrash, they lack the other crucial qualities. God then tells Moses, "I gave you the duty of judgment, and you appointed others who do not know!" They don’t know the laws and they lack the necessary qualities to be ideal judges. So, what does God instruct Moses to do? "You go and teach them. These are the ordinances [that you shall place before them]."

In both interpretations, the phrase "These are the ordinances" becomes a pivotal moment of instruction and empowerment for Moses. It highlights both his unique role as a leader and the immense responsibility that comes with it.

What can we take away from this? Perhaps it's a reminder that even our lowest moments can be springboards for growth. That God notices injustice and works in mysterious ways to bring about justice and redemption. And maybe, just maybe, the next time we encounter a seemingly insignificant word or phrase, we'll remember this Midrash and ask ourselves: what hidden depths might lie beneath the surface? What story is waiting to be uncovered?