Learning From Others – Moshe and Yitro/0

Learning From Others – Moshe & Yitro

Introduction

Main Question

A major theme of chapter 18 is the importance of learning from others. When Moshe's system of judging the people does not seem to be working, Yitro advises him how to improve it and Moshe implements his in-law's suggestion (for details, please see Shemot 18:13-27). It seems that even Moshe Rabbeinu sometimes needed a bit of help, and that he was certainly humble enough to accept the assistance.

This very point, though, begs a question: Yitro's solution to Moshe's problem seems somewhat obvious. Moshe is overworked and so Yitro suggests that he appoint some helpers. How could it be that Moshe Rabbeinu could not have come up with such a simple idea by himself?

Other Issues

• Flaws of our Role Models and Leaders: Was Moshe a "perfect" leader or did he have some flaws which hampered his effectiveness?
• Wisdom Amongst the Gentiles: Yitro is one of the few examples of a Gentile who is presented in a positive light in the Torah. What unique qualities did he have?
• Divine Civil Law versus Separation of Church and State: How did Judaism become the first religion to dictate not just mitzvot between man and Hashem, but also laws between man and his fellow man?
• Taking and Giving Advice: How do we ensure that we are humble enough to receive counsel and that we do not appear haughty when dispensing advice?

Use the guided study sources below to delve into this fascinating topic.

As you learn you can compare your analysis to that found in "Did Moshe Need Yitro's Advice?"

Guided Study

This section provides an array of primary sources that discuss why Moshe didn't come up with Yitro's advice on his own. Guiding questions accompany each of the sources.

(1a) Ralbag on Giving and Taking Advice

What lesson does Ralbag suggest we should learn from the story of Yitro's advice?

If someone else has greater knowledge or authority than you, do you agree that it is your responsibility to correct them, or is that "out of bounds"?

(1b) Ralbag on the Imperfection in Moshe's Leadership

How does Ralbag explain why Moshe was unable to come up with Yitro's advice on his own?

Do you agree with his characterization of both Moshe's strengths and his flaws?

Do you find it logical that Hashem would have picked a leader who was lacking in administrative skills? What qualities would you have thought were necessary in a figure such as Moshe?

(2) Tzeror HaMor and Wisdom Amongst the Gentiles

While Ralbag above focuses on a deficiency in Moshe which led him to need Yitro's advice, R. Avraham Saba, in his commentary Tzeror HaMor, instead focuses on the unique qualities which Yitro possessed.

In R. Saba's opinion, what gave Yitro the inspiration for his suggestion? Why does Hashem prefer that Moshe receive this idea from Yitro, rather than from Hashem himself?

Can you think of other examples in Biblical or Rabbinic literature where a Jew learns from a non-Jew?

For more on the opinions of Ralbag and Tzeror HaMor, click here.

(3a) Akeidat Yitzchak: Why Moshe Thought He Needed to Judge by Himself

How does R. Yitzchak Arama (author of Akeidat Yitzchak) explain why Moshe felt that only he was capable of judging the people at this stage in their history?

According to him, how did Moshe know what the "law" was?

(3b) Akeidat Yitzchak on Yitro and Divine Civil Law

What variation on a civil law code was Yitro suggesting to Moshe?

Do you think it is plausible that it was a Gentile who came up with this idea? Do you think that had Yitro not, Hashem would not have given us such a law code?

R. Arama realizes that his suggestion that Yitro introduced the concept of a divine code of civil law is quite a novel one and that it might be disturbing to many people.

What similar situations does he compare it to in order to prove that sometimes law seems to come from the people? Do you think the cases are comparable?

For more on the Akeidat Yitzchak's position, click here.

(4) Abarbanel: In Defense of Moshe

Though Abarbanel does not mention Ralbag by name, he is apparently disputing the latter's criticism of Moshe. Do you agree with Abarbanel's point?

Abarbanel's explanation of why Moshe had not already selected judges is almost identical to the Akeidat Yitzchak above. How, though, does he differ in his assessment of what Moshe was planning and what Yitro was suggesting?

For more on Abarbanel's interpretation, click here.

(5) Shadal: In Defense of Moshe, Take Two

Shadal, like Abarbanel, suggests that though Yitro's advice was solid, his timing was not right.

Why does Shadal say that for the time being, at least, it was necessary that Moshe be the one to judge the nation?

Have you ever been in a situation where it was necessary to "prove yourself" before others would accept your ideas?

For more on Shadal's opinion, click here.

(6) Rashi and Chizkuni: Yitro's Advice Was Unnecessary

Several commentators suggest that the long line for judgments was really a one time aberration and not a daily problem. Yitro's suggestion, then, was not particularly necessary, and thus Moshe did not think of it.

According to Rashi, when did Yitro witness the long lines? How might his chronology of the events explain why the lines Yitro was witnessing were the exception rather than the norm?

What does Chizkuni suggest was the reason for the abnormally long wait for judgment?

For more on Rashi and Chizkuni's positions, click here.

Summary

After seeing all the approaches, which do you find the most convincing and why?

Compare your analysis to that found in "Did Moshe Need Yitro's Advice?"

Further Thought

Extended Questions

• Giving Advice: When should we offer advice as to how to correct a wrong and when is it better to keep quiet? How do you go about criticizing so that your advice will be accepted and not scorned? What can we learn from Yitro as far as this?
• Learning from Others: It is not always easy to accept criticism. Why do you think we find it so hard? What about Moshe enabled him to accept Yitro's suggestions?
• Imperfections in our Role Models: Does the Torah try to present our founding forefathers and mothers as "perfect" or as humans with flaws? How do we understand their deficiencies? How can we learn from them?
• Wisdom Amongst the Gentiles: Do you think that we should look to non-Jewish people to learn from them? Why or why not? Is there any Gentile whom you know or have learned about who has helped you become a better person? How so?
• Divine Civil Law: What are the advantages of a Divine code of civil law? How does it compare to a system which has a separation of Church and State?

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Derashot

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