before you to court, do not say: 'Why should I insult the rich man
for so small a matter? I will rather give judgement in his favor, and
then, outside the court, tell him to give the poor man what he
demands, as he is in the right.' But do not, on the other hand, if the
poor man is in the wrong, say: 'The rich man is obliged to assist the
poor anyhow, I will now decide in favor of the poor, that in a
decent way he may, without begging, obtain money from his rich
fellow-man.' Do not, moreover, say: 'I fear to pronounce
judgement, lest that man kill my son, burn my barn, or destroy my
plants,' for the judgement is God's."

After these admonitions, Moses instructed the new judges in legal
procedure, in both civil and criminal cases, and at the same time
urged the people no to deny the judges the veneration due him.
[164] For great is the importance of justice. For him who hates it,
there is no remedy; but the judge who decides conscientiously is
the true peacemaker, for the weal of Israel, of the commonwealth,
and indeed of all living creatures. [165]

JETHRO REWARDED

Although the installation of elders on Moses' part came to pass in
accordance with the command of God, still it was Jethro upon
whose advice Moses besought God to lighten his burden, and to
permit him partly to transfer the leadership of the people to others.
[166] Hence he did not conceal the name of the adviser, but
announced it to all the people, and immortalized him as such in the
Holy Scriptures; for he deemed it praiseworthy to appreciate duly
the merits of others. [167] It had, however, been part of God's
scheme to reward Jethro for the love he bore the Torah; and for