Let’s begin with the opening blessing for the Torah:
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Yitro Exodus 18:1 - 20:23 Hearing of the miracles G-d performed for Bnei Yisrael, Moshe’s father-in-law Yitro arrives with Moshe’s wife and sons, reuniting the family in the wilderness. Yitro is so impressed by Moshe’s detailing of the Exodus from Egypt that he converts to the God of Israel. Seeing that the only judicial authority for the entire Jewish nation is Moshe himself, Yitro suggests that subsidiary judges be appointed to adjudicate smaller matters, leaving Moshe free to attend to larger issues. Moshe accepts his advice. Bnei Yisrael arrive at Mt. Sinai where G-d offers them the Torah. After they accept, G-d charges Moshe to instruct the people not to approach the mountain and to prepare for three days. On the third day, amidst thunder and lightning, G-d’s voice emanates from the smoke-enshrouded mountain and He speaks to the Jewish People, giving them the Ten Commandments: 1. Believe in G-d 2. Don’t worship other “gods” 3. Don’t use G-d’s name in vain 4. Observe the Shabbat 5. Honor your parents 6. Don’t murder 7. Don’t commit adultery 8. Don’t kidnap 9. Don’t testify falsely 10. Don’t covet. After receiving the first two commandments, the Jewish People, overwhelmed by this experience of the Divine, request that Moshe relay G-d’s word to them. G-d instructs Moshe to caution the Jewish People regarding their responsibility to be faithful to the One who spoke to them. Yitro Conversion The Torah States, “Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the Egyptians. Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from the Egyptians, when they dealt arrogantly with them.” And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God. ” (Exodus 18:9-12). It is clear in this text that Yitro, declared his faith to the God of Israel and worshipped him. Love of a Mother The Torah states, “And Moshe said to his father-in-law, the people come to me to seek the Almighty” (Exodus 18:15). Moshe had arranged for the people to come to him when they had questions. The prophet Shmuel, on the other hand, went to the people to deal with their needs. What can we learn from Shmuel about coming close to the Almighty? Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz comments that one’s closeness to the Almighty is dependent upon one’s love for other people. Shmuel’s going to the people showed that he had great love and concern for them. Where did Shmuel get this great love for other people? The Midrash says that the garment that his mother made for him when he was a child was with him his entire life. This garment, say Rabbi Shmuelevitz, was made with the profound love his mother had for him. This love became such a part of Shmuel that it manifested itself in his entire way of dealing with other people. The love a mother shows her infants and young children by getting up in the middle of the night to take care of them implants in them a deep feeling of being loved. When such a child grows older he will have love for others. Any small thing a parent does with love for his children will pay off great dividends. The greater the child becomes the more many people will benefit from that love.” Difficult Beginning The Torah states, “And now if you will certainly listen to My voice and observe My convenant, you will be to Me a treasure from all peoples for Mine is the entire world. And you will be to Me a kingdom of Cohanim (priests) and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5). How is it possible for us to rise to this level? Rashi, the great commentator, cites the Mechilta on this verse that “All beginnings are difficult.” When one tries to accomplish for Torah, he might be discouraged when he finds himself running into difficulties and go from enthusiastic to disillusioned. He might tell himself, “Things are so difficult that I’ll never accomplish. I’ll never get anywhere even if I do try, so I might as well give up right now.” If you ever feel this way, remember that all beginnings are difficult. Expect difficulties when you begin doing something and you won’t be discouraged by them. The only way to consistently meet your goals is by being persistent. Regardless of how difficult you find it at first, as long as you consider your original goal worthwhile, keep on trying. That is the only way anyone succeeds. Very frequently, the difficulties are short-lived, and as you persevere you will find things becoming easier and easier. Honoring Parents The Torah states, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). It is interesting to notice that in Leviticus the commandment of honoring the parents and keeping the Shabbat are in the same sentence: “Every man shall revere his mother and his father and you shall observe My Sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:3) This is to clarify that the same Source which commands us to honor our father and mother commands us not to listen anyone, even our parents if they tell you to violate the Shabbat or any other mitzvah. Rabbi Packouz gives us some basic halachot, (Jewish laws) instructing us how to treat our parents: 1. A child should consider his parents distinguished, even if others do not consider them so. 2. We must always speak to our parents with a soft and pleasant tone. 3. A child must not contradict his parents (Yorah Daiah 240:1 - The Code of Jewish Law). 4. A child must not call his parent by name (Yorah Daiah, 240:1). 5. A child must not sit in a place where his parent usually sits. 6. A child should fulfill his parent’s requests with a pleasant facial expression. 7. You are obligated to stand up before your father and your mother (Yorah Daiah, 240:7). 8. A child has no right to humiliate or embarrass his parents, regardless of what they do to him. 9. If a parent tells a child to violate a Torah law, he is forbidden to comply. 10. A child must be careful not to awaken his parents. Tel. +972 504 535 121 Fax +972 2625 1319 email: richard@elofer.com web: jewishadventist.org5
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