Yitro
Ex. 18:1 - 20:23
Précis: Following last week’s trip through the Red
Sea, Moses is reunited with his father-in-law Jethro (“Yitro”) and with
his family. Yitro acknowledges God, gives wise advice to Moses about delegating
responsibility, and Moses appoints assistants (judges). The Israelites come to
the foot of Mount Sinai where, in the ultimate transcendental experience,
Revelation takes place as the “Ten Utterances” (Commandments) are spoken to the
People by the very Voice of God.
Ex. 18:17-22 “…And
Jethro said, ‘What you are doing is not right. You will surely wear yourself
out, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.... You should
seek out from among all the people men of valor who fear God, trustworthy men,
men who spurn ill-gotten gains…as chiefs of thousands, hundred, fifties, tens
and let them judge the people.... Have them bring every major dispute to you,
but let them decide every minor dispute themselves. Make it easier for
yourself, and let them share the burden with you.’”
Let’s
examine the elements set forth by the very wise father-in-law of Moses regarding
attributes of true leadership. (1) it should
be drawn “from all the people” (“mikol ha’am”), and not limited to a particular class; (2) the leaders should be “people of valor” (“anshei chayil”),
which the Sages suggest means they must avoid bribery; (3) they should be
those who “fear God” (“y’rei Elohim”), meaning that they have a moral compass; (4) they
also must be “men of truth” (“anshei emet”) who are not only honest, but have reputations for honesty; and (5) they need to be those who “spurn ill-gotten
gain” (“v’sonei betza”) by rejecting graft and corruption.
Please,
let us as a Jewish People in Israel and as Jews in America use these criteria to examine our current and
potential leadership in the 2020 election cycle.
