Sicha, 15 Shevat 5735
Likkutei Sichos vol. 16, Yisro 2
A. Establishing a Judicial System
Jethro visits his son-in-law Moses and identifies a problem: Moses judges the entire Jewish nation by himself. He warns that this approach will lead to Moses’ collapse from exhaustion and harm the people as well. Jethro suggests establishing a hierarchical judicial system, and Moses agrees to the idea. (Source 1)
The Rebbe asks:
Did Moses not realize on his own that the current system was unsustainable? Why did he wait for Jethro’s advice instead of initiating the change himself?
On the other hand, if Moses believed the system was correct, why did Jethro worry it would fail?
A similar event occurred during the Giving of the Torah. After hearing the first two commandments directly from G-d, the Jews’ souls left their bodies, and they feared continuing. They asked Moses to receive the message from G-d and relay it to them. Moses was deeply disappointed that they didn’t want to hear directly from G-d, but G-d approved their request. (Source 2)
Here too, the question arises:
Could Moses have misjudged the spiritual level of the Jews, believing they were capable of hearing directly from G-d?
How can it be that G-d agreed with their idea to hear via Moses, while Moses himself was opposed?
B. Moses “Elevates” the Jewish People
The explanation is that Moses’ presence elevated the Jewish people to his spiritual level, enabling them to hear G-d’s voice directly. Similarly, Moses believed that his direct involvement in teaching Torah and judging disputes was essential. When the people learned Torah directly from Moses, they received it as someone who heard it “face to face” from G-d, and he elevated them to engage with it in the same manner. Likewise, when Moses judged them personally, he elevated them beyond their disputes and challenges.
However, the people expressed a desire to internalize the Torah using their own faculties and abilities, rather than relying on Moses’ spiritual influence. G-d agreed with their approach.
C. Preparation for the Future
Jethro observed the Jewish people from a different perspective, seeing them without Moses’ constant presence. He believed they were far from Moses’ level and could not rise to the level he expected of them.
G-d accepted Jethro’s advice because it ensured that after entering the Land of Israel, when Moses would no longer be with them, the Jews would still be able to study Torah and resolve disputes through their own effort and understanding. Therefore, G-d commanded Moses to appoint additional judges.
