This week's parashah begins with Moses recounting how he came to appoint judges over the Israelites. In doing so, he instructs them: "Hear out your brothers and decide justly between any man and a fellow Israelite or stranger. You shall not be partial in judgment; hear out the low as well as the high. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment is God's." What exactly does Moses mean by "do not be afraid of anyone"? Who is he referring to? And why does he choose to begin his speech with this particular warning?