It’s a question that’s echoed through the ages, one that our sages grappled with deeply. Let’s delve into a fascinating teaching from Shemot Rabbah, a compilation of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus.
Rabbi Meir shares a profound insight: "These are the ordinances,” says the verse, and the Holy One, blessed be He, entrusted justice to the elders of Israel. But why these elders? What makes them so special? Rabbi Meir draws a powerful parallel: just as the Sanhedrin, the great rabbinical court, sits here on Earth, so too does a Sanhedrin "On High" sit before God.
It's a breathtaking image, isn’t it? A heavenly court mirroring our own. And where do we find this idea? The Book of Daniel (7:9-10) gives us a glimpse: "I was seeing until thrones were set in place, and the Ancient One sat…the court convened, and the books were opened.” According to Rabbi Meir, this passage shows us that the earthly Sanhedrin sits before God just as the heavenly Sanhedrin of angels does (as we also see referenced in Vayikra Rabba 24:2).
Now, who is this "Ancient One?" The Holy One, blessed be He, is called the Ancient One, sitting to exact retribution against those who come against Him arrogantly. As it is stated, “Do not speak exceedingly with arrogance” (I Samuel 2:3). But why this emphasis on age? The text uses a powerful analogy to illustrate this point. Imagine a king whose guardsmen demean him regarding the royal garment in which he is clad. The king, understandably upset, says to them, “You ignored everything else and occupied yourselves with the royal garment in which I am clad; as you live, I will change it, and I will exact retribution against you.”
It's a potent image of disrespect and the consequences that follow. So too with these wicked ones who criticize the Ancient One. And here’s the twist: it’s not that He is actually old, but that Israel has exhausted Him with their actions, as it is written: “You wearied the Lord with your words” (Malachi 2:17).
God is described as ancient because He refrains from taking action against those who act against Israel, almost as though He were an old man, incapable of waging war. But that’s not the truth of the matter. As the text makes plain, it is just that Israel has sinned.
He says to them, ‘I will change it,’ as it is stated: “Why is there red on Your garment?” (Isaiah 63:2), ‘and I will exact retribution against you,’ as it is stated: “The Lord will emerge like a warrior, He will arouse zealotry like a man of war” (Isaiah 42:13). The image shifts from a patient, almost passive "Ancient One" to a powerful warrior ready to defend His honor.
What does this all mean for us? It's a reminder that our actions have consequences, not just in this world, but in the heavenly realms as well. The way we conduct ourselves, the words we speak, the respect we show – or don’t show – all resonate and affect our relationship with the Divine. It is worth remembering next time we are considering the consequences of our words.