Yitro said to Moshe: "Listen now to my voice, I will give you counsel, and God shall be with you. Represent the people before God, that you may bring the causes to God." (Exodus 18:19) "And you shall choose out of all the people able men such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." (Exodus 18:21) "If you shall do this thing, and God command you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace." (Exodus 18:23)

Commentary

Who are "men [and women] of truth"? In other words, who are leaders? Rashi says, "These are people (commanding) confidence who are worthy (enough for one) to rely on their words, for by this means will their words be heeded." (Rashi on Exodus 18:21)

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