Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Yitro – 2.5.2010

This weeks parsha has two very telling – albeit very different – stories. One about the administrative process of running the Jewish people and then after that we finally have delivery of the ten commandments and the code of Jewish ethics that we have been as a people walking towards since Abraham accepted HaShem’s directive.

So the first story is about how Moshe is overwhelmed with the burden of being the sole leader of the Jewish people. His father in law suggests that he finds leaders from all of the tribes to take on some of the responsibilities of judging and administrating affairs and leaving Moshe to deal with the larger and more complex issues. Yitro not only performs the job of being of the world’s first (if not the first) organizational design consultant but he also sets up a concept of accountability for the Jewish people. He teaches the Jews (and Moshe) that in order to continue to grow and evolve they must have the freedom to administer their own affairs. One of the great challenges of leadership is the balance between control and accountability. You cannot have both at the same time. Moshe had to relinquish control and give some power to his people and other leaders for the them to be accountable and grow.

It is not insignificant that this story precedes the second story. The second story is the seminal moment for the Jewish people, the receiving of the Ten Commandments, the foundation of our ethical code. In order to be able to receive this gift we as a people had to have the freedom (or at least the beginnings of it) to be accountable for our actions and acceptance of the commandments. The Israel response of "all that Hashem will command we will do." Is meaningless if it comes from a people who cannot make daily decisions or do not even have the option to do so.

Until the people and leaders of the Jewish people learned that they had to have the ability to make their own judgments and decisions we were not able to fully receive the Ten Commandments, our Jewish code and be able to act out our destiny and position as a light unto the nation. It is a central component of our ability to be Jewish and to take the Ten Commandments and their message to the world. And this lesson is as true today as it was at Mt. Sinai.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshas Yitro Summary from Torah.org

Yitro brings Moshe's wife and two sons to join him in the desert. In 18:10, Yitro proclaims his belief in Hashem (G-d) and identifies His manifest justice as the primary motive for his belief and conversion.


Yitro observes Moshe's daily schedule as chief administrator, judge, and teacher. He advises his son-in-law to delegate some responsibilities to a hierarchy of worthy judges and administrators. This would allow Moshe to focus his attention on those issues that demand his specific attention. Moshe listens to Yitro's advice.


This begins the preparation for Revelation. It is the 1st day of Sivan, and the Bnai Yitroel have been in the desert for 43 days. Moshe is told by Hashem to explain to the nation that they are a "kingdom of priests..."


Moshe tells the nation of G-d's expectations and they respond, "all that Hashem will command we will do." Moshe is further instructed to tell the people to prepare themselves by immersing themselves and their clothing in a Mikveh, and to remain apart form their spouses for 3 days. Mt. Sinai is to be fenced off so that no person or animal could ascend the mountain until the shofar sounded the conclusion of Revelation. On the 3rd day, Revelation began with lightning, thunder, the sounding of a Shofar, and Mt. Sinai completely engulfed in clouds, smoke, and fire. Moshe led the nation to assemble at the foot of a trembling Mt.Sinai.


Hashem summoned Moshe to ascend the mountain and instructed him to re-emphasize the prohibition against anyone ascending the mountain during Revelation. Moshe descends and discharges G-d's wishes. With Moshe standing among the people at the foot of the mountain, Hashem spoke the Ten Commandments to the entire people.


This last Aliya describes the reaction of the nation to Revelation. In 20:19, the Pasuk factually states that the Bnai Yitroel (Jewish Nation) collectively heard G-d speak. It is among the most fundamentally important statements in the entire Torah. The Parsha concludes with the three commandments regarding the Mizbeach (Altar).