And Hashem said to Moshe: Take all the heads of the people and hang them up to Hashem before the sun, that the fierce anger of Hashem may turn back from Israel.
English: “All the heads of the people.” If the people sinned, what did the heads of the people sin? Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav: The Holy One said to Moshe: Assign them courts of judgment, so that the fierce anger may turn back from Israel.
Type of Learning
Reinterpretation of “take the heads” as appointing judicial process.
What Is Learned
Justice through courts, not mere execution of leaders, is the path by which divine wrath is turned back.