| "The officers of the children of Israel whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had appointed over them were beaten, and they were told, 'Why have you not completed your quota of bricks…'" (Shemos 5:14)
Rashi explains that the Israelite officers, seeing the suffering of their fellow Jews who had to gather the straw to make the bricks, took pity on them. As a result, they did not enforce the full quota of bricks. When the Egyptian taskmasters noticed that the quota had not been met, they beat the Israelite officers. In response, Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to appoint these very officers as the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court.
The Sanhedrin members must possess a deep sense of mercy. In fact, Jewish law states that a person who does not have children cannot serve on the Sanhedrin, as raising children cultivates the trait of compassion. The officers of Israel, who took the beatings on behalf of their fellow Jews, clearly demonstrated this trait of mercy. This selfless act of compassion earned them the merit to be appointed to the Sanhedrin!
Today: Let us strive to cultivate compassion for our brethren, as the Israelite officers did, and let this virtue guide our actions and relationships with others. (Based on the teaching of Rabbi Yisacher Granitzky)
Note: This week, we learned that Klal Yisrael suffered under Egyptian bondage as a result of speaking Lashon Hara. In today’s world, we are constantly exposed to social media and news broadcasts, where Lashon Hara is widespread. We would love to hear from our subscribers: What practical steps can we take to address and rectify this issue in our own lives and communities? Thank you for your valuable insights and support! | 
