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Exodus 2:12 - Justice without witnesses?

Exodus 2:12 - שמות 2:12

Hebrew Text

וַיִּפֶן כֹּה וָכֹה וַיַּרְא כִּי אֵין אִישׁ וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַמִּצְרִי וַיִּטְמְנֵהוּ בַּחוֹל׃

English Translation

And he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Miżrian, and hid him in the sand.

Transliteration

Va'yifen ko va'kho va'yar ki ein ish va'yakh et-ha'mitzri va'yitmenehu ba'khol.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל׃
וַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Shemot 2:12) describes Moshe's actions after witnessing an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave. Before striking the Egyptian, Moshe "looked this way and that" to ensure no one was watching. This moment is pivotal in Moshe's early life, demonstrating his commitment to justice and his identification with the suffering of his people.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Shemot 2:12) explains that Moshe looked in all directions to see if any righteous individuals would emerge to defend the oppressed Hebrew. When he saw that "there was no man" (אֵין אִישׁ)—meaning no one was stepping forward to intervene—he took action himself. Rashi emphasizes that Moshe acted with divine approval, as the Egyptian was guilty of capital crimes, including immoral behavior with the Hebrew's wife (as derived from the term מִצְרִי in the verse).

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Shemot Rabbah (1:29) states that Moshe used the Divine Name to kill the Egyptian, indicating that his act was not mere vigilantism but a divinely sanctioned execution of justice.
  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Shemot 9) adds that Moshe hid the Egyptian's body in the sand to avoid provoking immediate retaliation from Pharaoh, demonstrating wisdom alongside his bravery.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Rotzeach (2:7), the Rambam (Maimonides) discusses the halachic principle that one may kill a rodef (a pursuer intent on murder) to save a life. While this case is not identical, Moshe's action aligns with the broader Torah ethic of intervening to prevent injustice, especially when no other recourse exists.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

  • Responsibility to Act: Moshe teaches that one must not remain passive in the face of oppression when capable of intervening (based on Vayikra 19:16, "Do not stand idly by your neighbor's blood").
  • Discretion in Justice: His act of hiding the body reflects the need for prudence even when executing justice, ensuring that righteous actions do not inadvertently cause greater harm.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

The verse is referenced in the context of discussing Moses' actions and his concern for justice, illustrating his early signs of leadership and his intervention against oppression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Moses look around before hitting the Egyptian?
A: Rashi explains that Moses looked around to see if anyone would intervene to stop the Egyptian from beating the Hebrew slave. When he saw there was no one stepping forward to help, he took action himself to defend the oppressed.
Q: What does it mean that Moses 'saw there was no man'?
A: The Midrash teaches that Moses was checking if there were any righteous people who would protest the injustice. Since no one came forward, he understood it was his responsibility to act. This teaches us the importance of standing up against wrongdoing when we see it.
Q: Why did Moses hide the Egyptian in the sand?
A: According to traditional Jewish commentators, Moses hid the Egyptian's body to avoid immediate retaliation and to give himself time to flee. This shows wisdom in dealing with dangerous situations while standing up for what's right.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Moses' actions in this verse?
A: The Rambam teaches that this episode demonstrates the Jewish value of defending those who are vulnerable. Even though Moses was raised in Pharaoh's palace, he couldn't tolerate injustice against his fellow Hebrews. It teaches us to identify with our people and protect the oppressed.
Q: Was Moses right to kill the Egyptian?
A: Jewish tradition views this as justified because the Egyptian was in the act of brutally beating a Hebrew slave. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 58b) discusses that one may kill someone who is pursuing another to kill them (the principle of 'rodef'). Moses acted to save a life in immediate danger.