Parshat Shemot: It Is Up to You
by Rabbi Lobel

(Exodus; Chapter 2 Verse 11-12) “He (Moses) saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew man, among his brethren. He turned this way and that way and saw that there was no man, so he struck down the Egyptian and hid him”.

Moses killed an Egyptian officer in defense of his fellow Jew. He fled Pharaoh's palace and became a fugitive.

The Medrash Rabba (1:29) quotes Rebbe Yehuda, “He (Moses) saw that there was no man who would stand up for G-d's values, and he killed the Egyptian.” The Mahrzu, a commentary on the Medrash, makes an inference from Rebbe Yehuda's words - Many people were there but Moses “saw no man” that would stand up for G-d's values.

The Egyptian officer was mercilessly beating the Jewish slave, all the while surrounded by onlookers. Yet, each witness rationalized to himself “why should I act and risk myself when no one else is.” Moses reasoned the exact opposite – No one else is protecting this Jew. Therefore, I must. No one else is defending the Torah. Therefore, I shall.

Each of us shares a responsibility to help our fellow man and community. When others shirk their obligations, we have a growing duty to act as we must shoulder their burden as well. It is up to each of us to stand tall for what is right.