VOLUME 114 NUMBER 5
Shevat 16, 5785
February 14, 2025
Parshas Yisro
Candlelighting Time 5:17

            Yisro joins the Jewish nation and immediately recommends that instead of Moshe administering justice to all the disputes that occur with the people, rather there needs to be a judicial system with many judges to arbitrate all these matters. And he is very strong about his suggestion stating that if Hashem will concur with my idea than you will be successful otherwise the present approach will fail. Didn’t Moshe himself realize the imperfection of the present system and perhaps think that it needed to be revamped?

            The Midrash asks this very question and even prods further that Hashem prefers that we have a system of judges to help the nation. Then why did Hashem not command this very mitzvah? The answer is that Yisro had left a life of luxury and fame to join a people that was young and not yet so well known to be the nation of Hashem. Therefore, to recognize his ascension from a culture steeped in idol worship to acknowledge that Hashem is the true and valued source of all that we have was an important theme. His sacrifice was admirable and significant to motivate all to realize the implication of dedication and commitment to ideals that are worthy and commendable. Even though Yisro’s proposal may have been very obvious to advocate nonetheless he was the one to bring it to completion provided that Hashem would indeed agree.

            However, Yisro’s decision to join our nation has a much deeper implication. The Zohar questions that the Torah states that Yisro heard and he came. Didn’t others also hear and yet they didn’t come. What motivated Yisro more so than others? Zohar answers that others heard about the incredible miracles that took place with our people. But Yisro not only heard but rather was humbled when he understood the nature of the relationship between Hashem and our nation. Malbim explains that he assessed the fundamental significance of the different types of miracles that occurred. The reality that Moshe was the source of Hashem’s conveyance of His substantive powers to orchestrate our release from bondage resonated with Yisro. Even the fact that Moshe sent his wife away during his tenure in Egypt was viewed as an astute decision. After all, he was going to be occupied with the progression and advancement of the liberation of the nation from the bondage of Egypt. Certainly, not a comfortable situation to bring one’s family. And Yisro understood this and therefore was not angry or resentful that Moshe seemed to have abandoned his wife.    

            Clearly Yisro was inspired by his natural character to be more predisposed to connect with the success and superiority of the nation that it moved him enough  to convert and become closer to Hashem in the appropriate manner. Apparently of the thousands of people and many nations that were aware of the splitting of the sea, our triumph over Amalek, the manna that we merited to have in the desert and the mobile oasis of water that accompanied the nation throughout their journey did not stimulate them. This quantum leap that Yisro made was so commendable and impressive that an entire parsha in the Torah was written due to his suggestion to establish a court system to deal with the need of the nation. We always hear what his going on but do we process it properly and respond in kind?       

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

Moshe named his first son Gershom and the second one Eliezer denoting his miraculous escape from execution. Why didn’t he use the name Eliezer first since that occurred before he came to Midian? When he first lodged with Yisro, he was not yet convinced that Hashem was the omnipresent ruler of the universe. Therefore, Moshe was concerned that he might be swayed by Yisro’s doubts. He named his first son Gershom to remind him that we are all travelers in our life and we must endeavor to use our time efficiently to grow in our service to Hashem and not be influenced by others. CHOFETEZ CHAIM 

GOOD SHABBOS