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Exodus 18:14 - Leadership burden or divine mission?

Exodus 18:14 - שמות 18:14

Hebrew Text

וַיַּרְא חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם וַיֹּאמֶר מָה־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה לָעָם מַדּוּעַ אַתָּה יוֹשֵׁב לְבַדֶּךָ וְכָל־הָעָם נִצָּב עָלֶיךָ מִן־בֹּקֶר עַד־עָרֶב׃

English Translation

And when Moshe’s father in law saw all that he did for the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest for the people? why dost thou sit alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning to evening?

Transliteration

Vayar choten Moshe et kol-asher-hu oseh la'am vayomer mah-hadavar hazeh asher atah oseh la'am madu'a atah yoshev levadekha vechol-ha'am nitzav alekha min-boker ad-erev.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּרְא֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא עֹשֶׂ֖ה לָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹשֶׂה֙ לָעָ֔ם מַדּ֗וּעַ אַתָּ֤ה יוֹשֵׁב֙ לְבַדֶּ֔ךָ וְכׇל־הָעָ֛ם נִצָּ֥ב עָלֶ֖יךָ מִן־בֹּ֥קֶר עַד־עָֽרֶב׃
וַיַּרְא֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא עֹשֶׂ֖ה לָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹשֶׂה֙ לָעָ֔ם מַדּ֗וּעַ אַתָּ֤ה יוֹשֵׁב֙ לְבַדֶּ֔ךָ וְכׇל־הָעָ֛ם נִצָּ֥ב עָלֶ֖יךָ מִן־בֹּ֥קֶר עַד־עָֽרֶב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Yitro's Observation and Concern

The verse describes Yitro (Jethro), Moshe's father-in-law, observing Moshe's leadership style and questioning why he alone judges the people from morning until evening. Rashi (Shemot 18:14) explains that Yitro noticed Moshe was personally handling every dispute, which was unsustainable. The Midrash Tanchuma (Yitro 10) elaborates that Yitro, as a former priest of Midian, recognized the inefficiency of this system and sought to advise Moshe for the benefit of both the leader and the nation.

The Problem with Moshe's Approach

Yitro's question, "Why do you sit alone?" highlights a critical flaw in Moshe's judicial system. The Rambam (Hilchot Sanhedrin 1:1-2) derives from this episode that a single judge cannot bear the entire burden of adjudication. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 8a) further emphasizes that justice must be decentralized to prevent exhaustion and ensure proper deliberation. Moshe, despite his greatness, was not meant to carry this responsibility alone.

Yitro's Wisdom and Proposed Solution

Yitro's intervention demonstrates his wisdom and concern for both Moshe and Bnei Yisrael. The Sforno (Shemot 18:18) notes that Yitro recognized Moshe's physical and spiritual energy would be depleted if he continued this way. His advice (which follows in later verses) to appoint a hierarchy of judges aligns with the Torah's principle of lo tov ("it is not good," echoing Bereishit 2:18) for man to be alone in leadership. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) adds that Yitro's perspective as an outsider allowed him to see what those immersed in the system could not.

Lessons in Leadership

  • Delegation is essential: Even Moshe, the greatest prophet, needed to share responsibility (Rambam, Hilchot Sanhedrin 2:7).
  • Accepting counsel: A true leader must be open to wise advice, even from those outside the community (Malbim, Shemot 18:17-18).
  • Sustainability in service: Spiritual leadership must not come at the expense of one's health or the people's access to justice (Talmud Yerushalmi, Pe'ah 1:1).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper way to judge and the importance of delegating responsibilities, drawing a parallel to Moses' situation where he was advised by his father-in-law to share the burden of leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Exodus 18:14?
A: This verse describes Moshe's father-in-law Yitro observing how Moshe was single-handedly judging all disputes among the Israelites from morning until night. Yitro questions why Moshe is taking this entire burden upon himself, suggesting it is an unsustainable system (Rashi on Exodus 18:14).
Q: Why did Yitro criticize Moshe's leadership style?
A: Yitro wasn't criticizing Moshe's judgment, but rather his method. He saw that Moshe was exhausting himself by handling every case alone, which wasn't good for Moshe or the people (Mechilta on Exodus 18:14). Yitro cared about both Moshe's wellbeing and the efficient administration of justice.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 18:14?
A: The verse teaches the importance of delegation and shared leadership. Even a great leader like Moshe needed to distribute responsibilities. This became the model for the Jewish court system with multiple judges (Rambam, Hilchot Sanhedrin 1:1).
Q: How does this verse apply to leadership today?
A: Just as Yitro advised Moshe, effective leadership today requires empowering others and creating systems rather than trying to do everything alone. The Talmud (Berachot 55a) derives from this that important communal matters should not be decided by one person alone.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that this happened 'from morning to evening'?
A: This detail emphasizes how Moshe's current approach was unsustainable - he had no breaks and the people had to wait long hours. The Midrash (Exodus Rabbah 18:1) notes this shows Moshe's great dedication, but also the need for a better system.