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Exodus 24:14 - Leaders await Moshe's return

Exodus 24:14 - שמות 24:14

Hebrew Text

וְאֶל־הַזְּקֵנִים אָמַר שְׁבוּ־לָנוּ בָזֶה עַד אֲשֶׁר־נָשׁוּב אֲלֵיכֶם וְהִנֵּה אַהֲרֹן וְחוּר עִמָּכֶם מִי־בַעַל דְּבָרִים יִגַּשׁ אֲלֵהֶם׃

English Translation

And he said to the elders, Wait here for us, until we come back to you: and, behold, Aharon and Ḥur are with you: if any man have any matters, let him come to them.

Transliteration

Ve'el-hazkenim amar shevu-lanu vaze ad asher-nashuv aleichem ve'hine Aharon ve'Chur imachem mi-ba'al devarim yigash alehem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶל־הַזְּקֵנִ֤ים אָמַר֙ שְׁבוּ־לָ֣נוּ בָזֶ֔ה עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־נָשׁ֖וּב אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֨ה אַהֲרֹ֤ן וְחוּר֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם מִי־בַ֥עַל דְּבָרִ֖ים יִגַּ֥שׁ אֲלֵהֶֽם׃
וְאֶל־הַזְּקֵנִ֤ים אָמַר֙ שְׁבוּ־לָ֣נוּ בָזֶ֔ה עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־נָשׁ֖וּב אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִנֵּ֨ה אַהֲרֹ֤ן וְחוּר֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם מִי־בַ֥עַל דְּבָרִ֖ים יִגַּ֥שׁ אֲלֵהֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Exodus 24:14) occurs when Moshe is preparing to ascend Har Sinai to receive the Torah. Before leaving, he appoints Aharon and Ḥur to oversee the people in his absence, instructing the elders to remain in place until his return. This delegation of authority reflects Moshe's leadership and foresight in ensuring continuity of governance.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Moshe's instruction to the elders to "wait here for us" (שְׁבוּ־לָנוּ בָזֶה) implies they should remain at the foot of the mountain, ready to receive Moshe upon his descent. The phrase "עַד אֲשֶׁר־נָשׁוּב אֲלֵיכֶם" ("until we come back to you") includes Yehoshua, indicating he would accompany Moshe partway up the mountain (Rashi on Exodus 24:13).

Aharon and Ḥur's Leadership Roles

The appointment of Aharon and Ḥur as interim leaders is significant:

  • Aharon - As Kohen Gadol, he represented spiritual leadership (Shemot Rabbah 41:7).
  • Ḥur - According to Midrash, he was the son of Miriam and Kalev (Sotah 11b), chosen for his righteousness and connection to the tribe of Yehudah.

Legal Authority ("מִי־בַעַל דְּבָרִים")

The term "בעל דברים" refers to legal disputes. Rambam (Hilchot Sanhedrin 1:1) derives from this verse that judges must be readily available to the people. The Mechilta notes this establishes the principle that communities require accessible judicial systems even in a leader's absence.

Symbolic Meaning of the Location

The Talmud (Eruvin 54b) sees deeper significance in the instruction to "wait here" - the elders were to maintain the spiritual elevation achieved at Matan Torah. The Kli Yakar suggests their presence at the mountain's base created a continuity between the divine revelation and the people.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 24:14 mean when Moshe tells the elders to wait?
A: In Exodus 24:14, Moshe instructs the elders to remain at the base of Har Sinai while he ascends to receive the Torah. According to Rashi, this shows that leadership requires delegation—Moshe appoints Aharon and Ḥur to handle disputes in his absence, ensuring the people are cared for even when he is not present.
Q: Why did Moshe leave Aharon and Ḥur in charge?
A: Moshe appointed Aharon (his brother and the Kohen Gadol) and Ḥur (a respected leader from the tribe of Yehudah, according to Midrash) to judge disputes because they were trusted figures. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 7a) teaches that proper judges must be wise and righteous to guide the people correctly.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 24:14 about leadership?
A: This verse teaches the importance of responsible leadership. Moshe ensured continuity by appointing deputies (Aharon and Ḥur) before leaving, as Rambam (Hilchos Sanhedrin 1:1) explains—a leader must establish systems of justice and guidance even in their absence.
Q: How does this verse apply to community life today?
A: Just as Moshe delegated authority to Aharon and Ḥur, Jewish communities today rely on rabbis and dayanim (judges) to resolve halachic questions. The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 1:1) emphasizes that every community must have qualified leaders to address disputes according to Torah law.