Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Yisro Sheiny: Yisro advises Moshe how to smoothly run the court system (Monday, 15th Shevat)

Shemot 18:13–23 — Q&A Based on Rashi

Verse 13 — Moshe Judges the People

Q1: What day is “וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת — the next day”?

A:
Rashi says this occurred the day after Yom Kippur, after Moshe descended from Mount Sinai with the second tablets.
This passage is not in chronological order.

Q2: Why does it say Moshe sat and the people stood?

A:
Moshe sat like a king, with all the people standing. Yisro rebuked this as disrespectful to the people.

Q3: Did Moshe really judge all day long (“from morning until evening”)?

A:
Not literally.
A judge who judges even one case honestly is considered as if he studied Torah all day and partnered with God in Creation (based on “evening and morning”).

Verse 14–16 — Moshe Explains His Role

Q4: What does “כִּי־יָבֹא הָעָם” mean?

A:
It means “because the people come” — present tense.

Q5: What does “לִדְרֹשׁ אֱלֹהִים” mean?

A:
To seek God’s teaching, i.e., to inquire of Moshe and receive instruction from God via Moshe.

Q6: What does Moshe mean by “I make known God’s rules and teachings”?

A:
He teaches:

• Rules (the laws)
• Teachings (the explanations and halachic details)

Verse 17–18 — Yisro’s Critique

Q7: Why does the Torah call him “Moshe’ father‑in‑law” again here?

A:
To honor him: “the father‑in‑law of the king.”

Q8: What does “נָבֹל תִּבֹּל” mean?

A:
“You will surely wear yourself out.”
Rashi: Like a leaf that withers from heat and frost.

Q9: Who is included in “גַּם אַתָּה — also you will wear out”?

A:
Aaron, Hur, and the 70 elders—those who assisted Moshe.

Verse 19–20 — Yisro’s Advice

Q10: Why does Yisro say “I will advise you, and God will be with you”?

A:
He tells Moshe: Go consult God.
If God agrees with my advice, do it.

Q11: What does “be for the people opposite God” mean?

A:
Be their intermediary—present their cases before God and bring back His rulings.

Q12: What is meant by “the path they should go in” and “the deeds they should do”?

A:

• “The path”
  = how to live morally and spiritually
• “The deeds”
  = the mitzvot they must perform

Verse 21 — Appoint Judges

Q13: What does “וְאַתָּה תֶחֱזֶה” mean?

A:
“You must perceive” — with prophetic vision.

Q14: What are “אנשי חיל” — men of ability?

A:
Rashi: Rich men — people not influenced by flattery or bribery.

Q15: What are “אנשי אמת” — men of truth?

A:
People whose word can be trusted; their promises are reliable.

Q16: What does “שֹׂנְאֵי בָּצַע” mean?

A:
Men who despise money, to the point that if they themselves were sued, they would not keep anything undeserved.
(“A judge from whom money must be taken through litigation is not a judge.”)

Q17: How many judges would be needed?

Rashi gives the numbers:

• 600 officers of thousands
• 6,000 officers of hundreds
• 12,000 officers of fifties
• 60,000 officers of tens

Total = 78,600 judges

Verses 22–23 — Sharing the Burden

Q18: What does “וְהָקֵל מֵעָלֶיךָ” mean?

A:
“This will lighten your burden.”
The form is an infinitive of ongoing action: “this is to ease the load.”

Q19: Why does Yisro say, “If you do this and God commands you”?

A:
Moshe must first consult God.
If God approves, the plan will succeed; without God’s approval, it will not.

Q20: Who is included in “וְגַם כָּל הָעָם הַזֶּה”?

A:
Aaron, Nadav, Avihu, and the 70 elders — those currently assisting Moshe.
They will also benefit from the new structure.