PARSHAT SHEMOT: THE PURSUIT OF DIVINE TRUTH
It is brought in this week’s portion, Parshat Shemot: “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian hitting an Israelite, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” (Exodus 2:11-12). This raises a difficult question: What was the legal justification for killing a man simply because he was striking another person?
The Gemara in Tractate Sanhedrin 58b is of the opinion that a gentile who strikes an Israelite is liable for penalty. Moses' action was legally based on this principle. Furthermore, the Midrash (Midrash Aggadah Buber, Shemot 2:11) brings that the Egyptian had also committed a forbidden act with the wife of the Jew he beat, the Egyptian had set his eyes upon her, and during the night he removed the husband from his house, then returned to the house and had forbidden relations with this married woman, while she mistakenly believed it was her husband. Consequently, the Egyptian was liable for death for adultery with a married woman, for which a Noahide is liable for death.
Therefore, the slaying of the Egyptian was fully justified within the legal framework of the Seven Noahide Laws. Moses was acting as a judge or executor of the law in a place where there was "no man" (no one else willing to stand up for justice).
The events preceding Moses' appointment as leader testify to his unique character and the fire of truth that burned within him: he went out to his brethren to witness their suffering firsthand; he killed an Egyptian taskmaster (who was liable for death under Noahide law) for beating an Israelite; he intervened in a quarrel between two Hebrews to establish peace; and when forced to flee to Midian, his first act there was to protect the daughters of Jethro from harassing shepherds. Moses could have lived a life of luxury and splendor as a prince in the world's greatest superpower. Pharaoh, who ruled the world, had appointed him over his entire household. There was a good chance that upon Pharaoh’s death, Moses would have inherited the throne and the leadership of the entire world.
Yet, all the immense wealth of Pharaoh’s palace did not confuse Moses. He aspired to Divine Truth. He sought to connect with the Almighty’s reality. He viewed the world through the prism of Noahide values and acted accordingly. This is a brilliant lesson for every person, whether Jew or Noahide. Although the level of Moses’ soul was exceptionally high compared to the souls of our generation, the pursuit of truth remains the catalyst that ultimately leads a person to the greatest spiritual heights.
Source: Midrash Aggadah Buber, Shemot 2:11, Panim Yafot, Chizkuni. Tractate Sanhedrin 58b. Exodus 2:11-12.
Rabbi Moshe Bernstein is the author of the books:
Light Onto the Nation: A Guide to the Seven Noahide Laws
Light Onto the Torah Portions.
Insights on the Torah Portions for Noahides 2 volumes.
Stories of Faith for Noahides: Inspiring Stories for Noahides from the Righteous of all Generations.
Thank you Rabbi Bernstein, I think that is exactly the problem of today’s world! There is no „fire of truth“ burning in people and governments and no one is standing up for justice in this corrupt time. May we all strife to seek justice and truth!