Two Minute Torah Podcast

Yitro 5769 by Lisa Alter Krule

This parsha begins with Moshe's father-in-law, Yitro, arriving at the Israelites camp in the wilderness with Moses' wife and sons. Upon his arrival, he was greeted lovingly by Moshe. Moshe then recounted to Yitro everything that God had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake. Yitro rejoiced, saying, "Blessed be the Lord. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods." The next day Yitro witnessed Moshe settling disputes between the people and he tells Moshe that this system will never work and that he would wear both himself and the people out. And just like many father-in-laws do, he counsels Moshe and suggests for him to set up a judicial system of trustworthy people to act as chiefs to exercise authority over the people. They would handle the minor disputes and they would bring all of the major disputes to Moshe. Moshe followed this advice and set up this system.

Next, you find the Israelites at Mt. Sinai preparing to receive God's laws. Moshe ascends the mountain and God tells him to let the people know that they will be to Him a treasure from amongst the nations. After three days preparation, the moment arrives and with thunder, lightening, and sound of the shofar, God descends upon the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments. This parsha concludes with several mitzvot dealing with the construction of the altar in the Temple.

In my opinion, this weeks parsha is one of the most important parshiot in the Torah, in spite of the fact that we stood together at Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. For me, that was a bonus. This parsha is named Yitro, after the non-Jewish father-in-law of Moshe and I believe that in itself is rather significant, don't you? Due to Yitro's sage advice, Moshe learned an important life lesson and that is the lesson of leadership. After coming all that way, Moshe would not have been able to continue to lead the Jewish people, even with God's laws, and teach them how to truly be a nation once he was gone without this important instruction.

Three weeks post the inauguration of President Obama, I can't help in making another connection to this portion too. Barak Obama seems to have come along much like Yitro. He was unknown not too long ago and yet much of this nation now depends on his leadership, insight and vision. This nation's mall was filled with literally millions of hopeful Americans, much like how I envision the Jewish people were gathered at Mt. Sinai, to hear an urgent, critical message and then, and even greater than hearing the message, acting upon it. Barak Obama does not have all of the answers, nor should he. We are all in this together. It will take both leaders and followers to act and to create a better, stronger nation – under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.