by Rabbi Margie Cella
This week’s parashah is well-known for including the first telling of the encounter between Israel and God at Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments. But it is the first story in the parashah, that gives it its name. Moses is visited by his father-in-law Jethro (Yitro), who comes bringing Moses’ wife and their two sons, to reunite the family. Jethro, the non-Jewish priest of Midian, offers praise for all that God has done for Israel. Then he offers some fatherly advice, after observing Moses sitting and rendering judgements for the people literally all day long, from morning to evening. Realizing that this is too much for Moses to handle alone, Jethro suggests that he find men to assist him, whom he can set up as judges of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens; these men will judge the smaller cases, freeing Moses to handle only the most serious ones, thus keeping him from burning out. Moses heeds the wise advice he receives from possibly the only father figure he has ever known, having been separated from his birth parents and then rejected by his Egyptian grandfather, Pharaoh, who sought to kill him. Some scholars believe that Jethro actually converted to Judaism, others are not so sure. Whether he did or didn’t, he shows a genuine concern for his son-in-law’s welfare. His sage advice benefits both Moses and the entire nation, resulting in the formation of the first tiered judicial system.
Sometimes the advice that we need to hear comes from those from whom we would least expect it. When it does, our hearts must be open to receive it.
Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh – All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.
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