Parashat Yitro 5785

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Parashat Yitro is named for Moses’ father-in-law, who visited Israel in the desert, praising God and bringing a sacrifice when he heard about all that God had done to redeem the nation from slavery. Seeing that Moses was overwhelmed by trying to judge all the matters brought to him by the people, Yitro suggested that he set up a system of judges to be rulers over thousands, then hundreds, fifties and finally tens: the first judicial system!

Moses himself would judge the most difficult cases.

Following this, the Israelites then journeyed to Mt. Sinai, where they witnessed Moses going up to receive the 10 Commandments from God, amidst clouds, thunder, lightning, and shofar blasts.

In Exodus 19:2, we read the following: And when they [the Israelites] were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness: and there Israel encamped before the mount.” In the Hebrew, the first three verbs in this verse are written in the plural; the last one, however, is written in the singular. From the time that the people of Israel left from Rephidim until they arrived and set up camp at Sinai, they traveled as a nation of individuals. But once they arrived and settled at the foot of Sinai, they did so as one nation, with one heart and one purpose. They needed to be of one mind, united, despite their individual differences, before they could merit receiving the Torah.

Today, we, too, must stand together as one in support of our beloved Eretz Israel. May peace soon reign within her borders. 

Am Yisrael Chai! All people of Israel Live!