Why a Statue of Moses Stands Proudly in the U.S. Capitol

A video released about a month ago continues to capture the attention of social media audiences worldwide. In this video, Yoram Ettinger, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Congress, recounts his first visit to the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. "I saw Moses' statue facing the Speaker's chair," Ettinger recalls.

According to him, there were 22 other statues along with that of Moses, collectively known as the "Lawgivers of Humanity."

The surprising part for Ettinger wasn't Moses' inclusion among these lawgivers, but the fact that he alone faced the chair directly while others offered only their profile. "Moses is the only one looking forward. I asked the curator, 'What makes this statue different from all the others?' The response was intriguing: 'Aren't you a Jew from Israel? You don't know?'

Ettinger admitted his embarrassment, and the curator continued, "Don't you know that Moses is the source of law and moral values, and all other global lawgivers are simply a continuation of his legacy?"

Ettinger further describes his visit to the nearby Supreme Court Building. "Ascending the steps to the main hall, I found yet another surprise: high above the bench of the nine justices, who was there looking down with the tablets in hand? None other than Moses himself."

Approaching a court officer maintaining order, Ettinger asked, "Excuse me, sir. What is Moses, mine, doing here in the Supreme Court?" The officer replied, "Excuse me, sir. That's how we express our appreciation for the foundation of American law."

At that moment, Ettinger felt a sense of unease. "I thought to myself, 'When will I hear a similar acknowledgment in the Supreme Court of Jerusalem, perhaps even in the Knesset?'"

And what does he say about the power of the High Priest who served in the Temple? Watch the full and moving video here:

(Video credit: B'Machshava 2 - Yoram Ettinger)