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Exodus 2:13 - Justice for fellow Hebrews?

Exodus 2:13 - שמות 2:13

Hebrew Text

וַיֵּצֵא בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי וְהִנֵּה שְׁנֵי־אֲנָשִׁים עִבְרִים נִצִּים וַיֹּאמֶר לָרָשָׁע לָמָּה תַכֶּה רֵעֶךָ׃

English Translation

And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that was in the wrong, Why dost thou smite thy fellow?

Transliteration

Vayetze bayom hasheni vehine shnei-anashim ivrim nitzim vayomer larasha lama takeh re'ekha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּצֵא֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְהִנֵּ֛ה שְׁנֵֽי־אֲנָשִׁ֥ים עִבְרִ֖ים נִצִּ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע לָ֥מָּה תַכֶּ֖ה רֵעֶֽךָ׃
וַיֵּצֵא֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְהִנֵּ֛ה שְׁנֵֽי־אֲנָשִׁ֥ים עִבְרִ֖ים נִצִּ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לָֽרָשָׁ֔ע לָ֥מָּה תַכֶּ֖ה רֵעֶֽךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Shemot 2:13) describes Moshe Rabbeinu's intervention in a dispute between two Hebrew slaves during his time in Egypt before he was chosen to lead Bnei Yisrael out of slavery. This event is part of Moshe's early development as a leader who stands up for justice.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַיֵּצֵא בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי" ("and he went out the second day") refers to Moshe deliberately going out to observe the condition of his brethren after his initial encounter with the Egyptian taskmaster (whom he had killed the previous day). Rashi notes that Moshe was deeply concerned with the welfare of his people.

Regarding "שְׁנֵי־אֲנָשִׁים עִבְרִים נִצִּים" ("two men of the Hebrews strove together"), Rashi clarifies that these were Datan and Aviram, who later became notorious for their rebellion against Moshe in the desert (Bamidbar 16). Their quarrel here foreshadows their contentious nature.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 1:29) elaborates that the two men were fighting because one had unlawfully encroached on the other's property. Moshe's rebuke, "לָמָּה תַכֶּה רֵעֶךָ" ("Why do you strike your fellow?"), demonstrates his commitment to justice even among his own people.

  • The Midrash highlights that Moshe did not take sides but addressed the aggressor directly.
  • This incident contrasts with the previous day, where Moshe acted against an Egyptian oppressor—showing his balanced sense of justice.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot De'ot (Laws of Ethical Conduct), Rambam emphasizes that rebuking wrongdoing (תּוֹכֵחָה) is a moral obligation when done properly. Moshe's intervention serves as a model for correcting others with righteous intent.

Lessons in Leadership

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 58a) derives from this episode that a judge must not favor one party over another, even if one is clearly in the wrong. Moshe's impartiality here foreshadows his role as the ultimate judge and teacher of Israel.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 58b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of striking another person, highlighting the moral and legal implications of such actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Exodus 2:13?
A: In Exodus 2:13, Moshe (Moses) sees two Hebrew men fighting, and he intervenes by questioning the one who is acting wrongly, asking why he is hitting his fellow. This shows Moshe's sense of justice and leadership even before he was chosen by Hashem to lead the Jewish people.
Q: Why did Moshe get involved in the fight between the two Hebrews?
A: According to Rashi and other commentaries, Moshe could not tolerate injustice, even between two Hebrews. His intervention demonstrated his natural leadership and concern for justice, traits that would later make him the perfect leader to take Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 2:13?
A: The verse teaches us the importance of standing up against wrongdoing, even when it occurs between fellow Jews. Moshe's actions remind us that we must not ignore injustice, and we should strive to correct it with wisdom and courage, as he did.
Q: Why does the Torah mention this incident with Moshe and the two fighting men?
A: The Torah includes this story to highlight Moshe's righteous character. The Midrash explains that Hashem saw Moshe's concern for justice and his willingness to defend the weak, which made him worthy to lead the Jewish people out of slavery and receive the Torah.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us to speak up when we see injustice, especially within our own community. Just as Moshe did not remain silent, we too must strive to correct wrong behavior with care and wisdom, promoting peace and fairness among our fellow Jews.