‘Yisro’

Parsha Perspectives

By RABBI DAVID ORDAN

ויסעו מרפידים ויבאו מדבר סיני…ויחן שם ישראל נגד ההר

They journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the Wilderness; and Israel encamped there, opposite the mountain. (Exodus 19:2)

The old adage of “two Jews, three opinions” is more than a clever observation regarding our tendency to disagree with each other. It is also a subtle description of the difficulty we face in uniting for a common purpose. This is nothing new. In fact, it goes right back to the Exodus. In describing the various journeys of the Jewish people as they left Egypt, Rashi notes that the verse consistently uses the plural, which teaches that each encampment was accompanied by discord and strife.

There was, however, one notable exception. As the Jewish people camped at Mount Sinai, the verse suddenly switches to the singular. According to Rashi, this reflected a significant change in the mindset of the nation. Immediately prior to receiving the Torah, the Jewish people were no longer divided. Instead, they had become “like one man with one heart.”

The Jews were not the only nation to attain this level of unity, however. As the Egyptians overtook the Jews at the Sea of Reeds, Rashi notes that they drove forward “with one heart, like one man.” The language is nearly identical to that used to describe the Jews at Mount Sinai. (Exodus 14:10)

Rabbi Avrohom Bornsztain, (1839–1910, Poland) author of the Avnei Nezer commentary, points to an important distinction between the two nations and their respective unity. The Egyptians acted “with one heart, like one man,” while the Jews acted “like one man, with one heart.”

According to the Avnei Nezer, Rashi is teaching a fundamental principle about the nature of unity among people. In some cases, unity is a tool employed to achieve a certain goal or objective. This type of unity can be achieved even when there is a level of indifference, discord, or even animosity between the various individuals of the larger group. This was the unity displayed by the Egyptians. Even though each Egyptian harbored his own personal agenda for wanting to destroy the Jews, it did not detract from the larger goal. One thing they all agreed on was that the Jews needed to be destroyed.

When the Jews came to Mount Sinai, however, their unity was of a different kind altogether. There, the unity was created because of commonality of the people themselves. There was a bond of brotherhood that superseded other concerns, which in turn led to a unity of purpose as well. The question remains, however, as to how the Jewish people were able to achieve this level of unity in such a short period of time? After all, this is the same Jewish people, who prior to arriving at Mount Sinai, had been plagued by all sorts of discord.

The Kli Yakar answers this question by explaining that the Jewish people’s arrival at the mountain entailed more than simply changing their location. As far as mountains go, Mount Sinai is extremely underwhelming. Rather than majestically towering into the heavens, the place G-d chose to give His Torah to the Jewish people was rather low and unremarkable.

The message was not lost on the Jews: In order to be messengers of G-d’s Torah in the world, the Jewish people had to move beyond their personal agendas and develop a sense of humility that would allow them to truly unite as a people prior to achieving any particular goal.

The following story powerfully illustrates this idea: Several years ago, a reserve Israeli army unit was drawing up plans for an upcoming mission. When it became clear that the men could face heavy enemy fire, a heated dispute broke out among the soldiers. The unmarried men in the unit insisted that they go into battle first and that the married men stay back. They reasoned that the married men had families to take care of, while they did not.

The married men refused to accept this line of reasoning and insisted that they fight while the unmarried men stay back. They reasoned that if they should fall in battle, they had someone to say Kaddish for them, while the unmarried men did not.

In many ways, the struggle of our generation is not so much the need to unify around a common goal as it is to unify around a common sense of shared brotherhood. Indeed, there is no lack of worthy goals that must be achieved, and every act we contribute to achieving them is valuable beyond measure. However, the ability to relate to every Jew we meet as a brother, whose essence is no different than our own, is the most powerful unity we can achieve as a people.

You can reach Rabbi Ordan at parsha@partnersintorah.org

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Partner Encounters

Meet Gitty Goldberg

Gitty Goldberg’s happiness is not just catching – it’s positively infectious! With a smile on her face and a spring in her step, Gitty lives to bring joy to others. In her own words, Gitty is a people person who “loves to sing, laugh and share loving, lasting friendships.”

A creative soul at heart, Gitty owns her own gourmet home-based food company, Gitty Gourmet, which allows her to express her desire to create things that please both the eye and the palate. She has a thirst to grow in her Judaism, and, as she envisions it, “to be to be the best possible wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend,” all of which will bring her closer to G-d as a result.

“Being Jewish to me means total and complete happiness, peace of mind, security, contentment and fulfillment, connection and attachment to G-d,” she said. “It means fulfilling my purpose on this earth with joy, and enjoying life and this material world to the fullest infused with spirituality!” Sharing this enthusiasm for life is at the heart of everything Gitty does, as is her desire to bring out the natural gifts in others. “I love to make people feel good and help them make the most out of what G-d has given them,” Gitty said.

Obviously, then, it was much more than a “mere coincidence” that brought Gitty to Partners in Torah. About six years ago, she was sitting next to a friend at a Bar Mitzvah who mentioned Partners in Torah and the various opportunities the organization offered to get involved with Jews from around the world.

Since then, Gitty has found her experience with Partners in Torah to be extremely rewarding, especially her partnership with Tracie Kurland. As is often the case, Gitty finds that she gains as much – or perhaps even more – than she gives. Over the years, Gitty and Tracie have developed a strong bond of friendship, a true partnership in navigating life’s experiences.

“I wouldn’t give up my relationship with Tracie for anything. I love her like crazy,” Gitty said. “She is always rising to the challenge. I learn a lot from her devoted and kind-hearted ways, and her thirst for knowledge. “

Reflecting on her six years with Partners in Torah, Gitty expressed gratitude for the opportunity it gives her to share passion for Judaism. “Partners in Torah enriches my life, my values, and keeps me balanced and in check,” she said. “It helps me to constantly remind myself the proper priorities and goals to have in life. “

We want to highlight YOU on this page. Share your story with us. For more information please email: parsha@partnersintorah.org

BESHALACH CORRECTION TO PARTNER ENCOUNTER :
Taras (Yisroel) Prokopenko

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Partner Talk

Rushing in with the Angels

Dear Rabbi Meisels,

My mother recently passed away at the age of 89. Even though we were not that religious, I have been going to services at a local Orthodox shul to say kaddish for her. Little by little I am learning the prayers and how the services work. I do have one question that I hope you can answer: Why do we raise ourselves on our toes when we recite the kedushah prayer during the repetition of the Amidah?

Morrie S.
Olney, MD

Dear Morrie,

First, allow me to express my condolences on your loss and to commend you on your decision to say kaddish for your mother. May your prayers be a source of continuing merit for her soul.

Regarding your question, many people are not fully aware of the importance of the kedushah prayer. However, it is one of the most important parts of the entire service. So much so that one is even required to interrupt the Shema and its blessings in order to recite kedushah with the congregation. What it is about this prayer that elevates it to such a status?

Although the basic version of the kedushah prayer consists of four stanzas, the middle two form the core of it and are the most important. They are:

1. Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh Hashem Tziva’kos M’lo Kol Ha’Aretz Kvodo” – Holy, holy, holy is G-d, Master of Legions, the whole world is filled with His glory, (Isaiah 6:3)

2. Baruch k’vod Hashem mi’m’komo” – Blessed is the glory of G-d from His place, (Ezekiel 6:12.)

These two verses are the words that the Divine Angels use to pronounce the glory of the Divine Name as reported by the Prophets. Each of these verses deserves a more detailed explanation of their own, but that is the essence of their meaning.

When we recite the kedushah, we are expressing our yearning to eventually merit the World to Come, where we will join the Divine Angels as heavenly servants who express these words of kedushah to the Almighty. The souls of righteous and pious people from earlier generations, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all inhabit the World to Come and already partake in expressing this praise, and we utter a prayer that we eventually merit the same for ourselves.

Lifting ourselves up on our toes while reciting these verses (and possibly the last verse as well) is symbolic of the movement of the Divine Angels described by the Prophets in the chapters where these verses are taken from. It is an action that expresses our desire to emulate those Divine Angels here, in this world, and eventually in the World to Come.

This is also what lies behind the custom of standing with our feet together when we recite the kedusha. The verse (Ezekiel 1:7) also alludes to the Divine Angels as having one foot, and so we place our feet together to emulate them as well. Angels are also described as perpetually standing, which is why we stand during the recital of the kedushah.

It must be clarified that any anthropomorphic descriptions of angels or spiritual phenomena cannot be taken literally. Such descriptions reflect a certain spiritual quality possessed by the angels, and are translated into understandable human terms. The idea that angels have only “one foot,” for example, is generally understood to mean that they created with one specific mission. Unlike humans, angels do not possess free will. Thus, they do not waiver in their service to G-d. This aspect of their makeup is described as having “only one foot.” The same understanding must be applied to other such descriptions as well.

For a fuller appreciation of these ideas, I recommend that you study the laws in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 125:3 and Rav Schwab on Prayer pages 273 and 434 where he discusses this in detail.

Wishing you all the best,
Rabbi Elazar Meisels
To reach R’ Meisels: rabbimeisels@partnersintorah.org

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Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

And it was on the next day, and Moshe sat to judge the people and the nation stood before Moshe “from the morning until the evening.” (Exodus 18:13) Rashi explains that a judge who judges truthfully for even one hour, it is considered a partner with G-d in Creation. Obviously, this does not mean that he may judge falsely during the rest of the day. What then, might the verse be implying by judging truthfully for “one hour”?

א) How could judging correctly make one a partner with G-d in creation? What connection is there between judging and creativity in the world? To Creation?

ב) From what words in the verse can Rashi’s comment be implied?

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parsha-partner/yisro5771#comments

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Parsha Summary

After hearing about the miraculous events of the Exodus, the Splitting of the Sea, and the war with Amalek, Yisro, Moses’ father-in-law leaves his homeland and travels to meet Moses and the Jewish people in the desert. He brings Moses’ wife Zipporah and his sons Gershom and Eliezer, and the entire Jewish people come out to greet them upon their arrival. After hearing Moses relate how G-d struck the Egyptians in the very manner in which they sought to harm the Jewish people, Yisro rejoices in the knowledge of G-d’s omnipotent power and converts to Judaism.

The next day, Yisro observes the interactions between Moses and the nation. From morning until evening, the Jewish people stand by Moses while he sits and adjudicates their cases. Realizing that this is too great a burden for both Moses and the people, Yisro suggests a solution. He advises Moses to choose upstanding men to serve as judges. Moses accepts Yisro’s advice and sets up a court system that includes judges over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Minor matters that can be adjudicated without difficulty will be judged by these men; difficult matters will be sent to Moses. Yisro then returns to his homeland to convert his family.

The portion continues with the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Just seven weeks after leaving Egypt, the Jewish people have transformed themselves from a lowly slave nation into a people ready to be G-d’s emissaries in the world. G-d informs the Jewish people that if they accept the Torah and listen to Him and keep his covenant, they will be “the most beloved treasure of all peoples…a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation.”

After three days of preparation, the Jewish people gather at the foot of Mt. Sinai. As G-d descends, thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud surround the mountain. Smoke rises from the mountain and the sound of the shofar grows increasingly powerful until the entire camp shudders from the intensity of the experience. After warning to the people that they must not approach the mountain, Moses ascends Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.

TEN COMMANDMENTS

I am the L-rd your G-d, who took you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery

Thou Shalt Not Have Any Other G-d’s Before Me

Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of G-d in Vain

Remember the Sabbath and Keep it Holy

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother

Thou Shalt Not Murder

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

Thou Shalt Not Steal (this means kidnapping)

Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness

Thou Shalt Not Covet

The Jewish people directly heard the first two commandments from G-d. After that, however, the experience was too overwhelming, and they beseeched Moses to act as G-d’s messenger on their behalf. The experience of hearing G-d speak to them directly was sufficient to solidify their belief in G-d and in the truth of Moses’ prophecy forever.

The portion continues with G-d reiterating the fact that He spoke to the Jewish people directly and that they are prohibited from making any images that can misused as symbols or an intermediary between them and the Divine. This includes making images of heavenly bodies and angels, as well as “gods” of silver and gold.

The portion ends with a commandment that the altars for the future Tabernacle must be constructed of earth. When a stone altar is eventually constructed for the Temple in Jerusalem, the stones may not be cut with iron instruments. Iron shortens life, while the Temple lengthens life by offering people repentance and atonement. In addition, the Kohanim must use a ramp when they approach the altar so as to maintain meticulous standards of modesty during their service.

To read Rabbi Meisel’s archived Talking Points:
http://www.partnersintorah.org/parsha-partner/yisro-5768

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Yisro-5770

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Parsha Perspectives

by MOSHE GEWIRTZ

ויקח יתרו חתן משה את צפרה אשת משה אחר שלוחיה ואת שני בניה אשר שם האחד גרשם כי אמר גר הייתי בארץ נכריה ושם האחד אליעזר כי א-לקי אבי בעזרי ויצלני מחרב פרעה

“And Yisro, the father-in-law of Moses, took Tzipora, the wife of Moses, after she had been sent away, and her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom, for he [Moses] had said, ‘I was a sojourner in a strange land.’ And the name of the other [son] was Eliezer, for ‘the G-d of my father came to my aid, and He saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.’”
(Exodus 18:2-4)

Rabbi Joseph Pazanovski, author of the Pardes Yosef, expounds on the meaning and significance of the names that Moses chose for his sons. He explains: Moses had a dilemma, similar in a sense to one many people grapple with today. When Moses’ children were born, he and his wife, Tzippora, were tucked away in the land of Midian, far from the difficult slavery that the rest of the Jewish nation was enduring in Egypt. Moses was concerned that his children could perhaps think that Midian was the Promised Land. They had family, security, health and wealth – everything they could desire, right where they were. Moses wanted his children to live with a constant reminder that a Jew who is not in the Land of Israel with the Holy Temple is living in galut, exile.

By naming his elder son Gershom, meaning, for I was a stranger in a strange land, Moses was telling his son that while it may be comfortable in Midian, you must always remember that we are strangers here. Moses named his second son Eliezer, meaning G-d saved me. With this name, Moses was telling his son, “I grew up in Pharaoh’s palace. I had everything. Suddenly, Pharaoh changed his attitude towards me, and tried to kill me. G-d saved me from Pharaoh’s executioner, and I became a fugitive. There is no security, even in the king’s palace!”

Pardes Yosef adds that there were Jews who lived in the Spanish Golden Age (15^th-17^th centuries). They grew and prospered to the point that Abarbanel, a great sage of that period, became the treasurer for the king. Jews were comfortable; they had money and prestige. Life was great. Then, on the ninth of Av in the year 1492, the Jews were exiled from Spain. Everything they had built for themselves no longer meant anything in what turned out to be one of the darkest chapters of our history, the Spanish Inquisition.

It can be easy for us in America in 2010 to think that we have made it, to think that we are where we want to be. Indeed, we are blessed with relative comfort and tranquility. Our day schools, synagogues, and communities are growing. We can sometimes catch ourselves thinking, ‘Do we really need the Messiah?’ or, ‘What are we lacking by not being in the Land of Israel with the Holy Temple?’ The truth is that we do have a very large void in our lives. We are missing the ultimate connection to G-d that is only possible in His land through the service in His Holy Temple. We must remind ourselves that while we may be comfortable here now, we are still foreigners in exile. We remain without complete security until the Messiah arrives, are returned to our Holy Land, and resume our close relationship with G-d.

It is well known that Rabbi Nosson Wachtfogel, the late mashgiach (spiritual advisor) of Beth Medrash Govoha, kept a freshly pressed suit in his closet, so that he would be ready at a moment’s notice to properly greet the Messiah. Early one morning, a student of the yeshiva drove to pick up Rabbi Wachtfogel for their daily study session. The student was surprised that the otherwise very punctual Rabbi was not there when he arrived. After a few minutes, Rabbi Wachtfogel appeared in his robe at the door. He apologized and explained that he had heard a loud sound during the night and was hoping that it was the Messiah, and he was unable to fall back asleep for the remainder of the night.

Someone unfamiliar with Rabbi Wachtfogel’s degree of piety and with his consistent spiritual presence is likely to see no more in this incident than confusion resulting from old age. Those who were privileged to know the venerable Rabbi, however, understand that he was merely living the message that Moses wished to impart in the names he chose for his sons: that we are but transient visitors in this land, and will remain so until the Messiah comes. May we merit to see the coming of Messiah speedily in our days!

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Parsha Talking Points

by RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS

1. THE RECOUNT

“And Moses related to his father-in-law all that G-d had done to Pharaoh and to Egypt on behalf of Israel, including all the hardship that had befallen them on the way, and how G-d had rescued them.” 18:8

And Moses related to his father-in-law – Although Yisro had previously heard all that had occurred, as the verse [18:1] mentions earlier, nevertheless, Moses recounted all the events in order to draw his heart to bring him closer to the Torah. – Rashi

And Moses related to his father-in-law – Moses wished to emphasize to Yisro that G-d did not only ensure their safety, but he also attended to their myriad needs in meticulous detail at every step of their journey out of Egypt. This was something that Yisro did not necessarily appreciate beforehand and helped him perceive G-d’s attentiveness to detail. - Sforno

All that G-d had done to Pharaoh – Moses shared with him something that he couldn’t have known earlier. He informed him that not only were the Egyptians defeated, but their Heavenly Advocate [which every nation has] was also slain, rendering them powerless to further enslave or harm the Jews. With this information in hand, Yisro now understood that they were truly free and safe from the Egyptians. - Ohr HaChaim (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar)

Moses recounted the story to Pharaoh, although he knew it already because there is a special mitzvah to recall the events of the Exodus, as it says in the Passover Haggadah, “And all who excessively engage in retelling the story of the Exodus, this is praiseworthy.” The events of the Exodus are fundamental to our entire faith and trust in the Almighty, and the more we discuss them, the deeper and more powerful is our trust in Him. This is part of the reason that we recall the Exodus twice daily in the recitation of the Shema.

2. THE MAJORS VS. THE MINORS

“Let them administer justice for the people on a regular basis. They will bring every major case to you, but they can judge the minor cases by themselves. By sharing the burden, they will make things easier for you.” 18:22

Let them administer justice for the people – They can judge all cases in which they are experts, and those beyond their expertise, they can leave for you to judge. Those beyond even your expertise, you can pose to the Almighty for resolution. – Ibn Ezra

Let them administer justice…on a regular basis – Currently, due to the shortage of available judges, many people who have legitimate claims fail to pursue them because they do not wish to stand in line for days on end until you, Moses, are available. This creates an incentive for dishonest people to prey on others, knowing that they will probably not get called to justice. By installing a myriad of judges, justice will be administering justice on a regular basis, and peace will be restored among the nation. – Ramban

Interestingly, in describing how this plan was actually put into effect, the verse writes, “The difficult problems, they would bring to Moses, and the simple problems they would judge by themselves.” Why does it substitute the words “major,” and “minor,” used by Yisro, with the words, “difficult” and “simple?” Rabbi Chaim Berlin explains that Yisro’s choice of terms reflected his non-Jewish perspective, which maintains that there are “major” cases [i.e. when the sums in question equal millions of dollars,] and “minor” cases [i.e. when the sums amount to small totals]. Those cases do not receive nearly the due diligence or respect that the larger sums enjoy, because they’re considered trivial as evidenced by the fact that there’s such a thing as “Small Claims Court,” where smaller sums are decided. In the Torah’s view, it makes little difference whether the sums involved are millions or mere pennies. Each deserves an identical level of scrutiny when adjudicating the case. Therefore, the Torah distinguishes only between the difficult and simple cases, and places no importance on whether the case is major or minor.

3. ACTING HONORABLY

“Honor your father and mother so that your days may be lengthened upon the land that Hashem, your G-d, is giving you.” 20:12

Honor your father and mother – One can honor parents through the performance of good deeds which gives them great joy. – Zohar

Honor your father and mother – How does one do so? By behaving in an upright manner that causes others to exclaim, “Fortunate are the parents who brought such a child into the world.” – Talmud

Honor your father and mother – The verse contains the word “ess” before the words, “your father” and “your mother.” This word is superfluous and is written to indicate that one must honor not only his parents, but someone else as well. The extra words “ess” come to include that one must demonstrate respect not only to a parent, but also to a step-parent, for acting respectfully toward a step-parent is a means of demonstrating respect toward one’s natural parent. Properly observed, this little-known obligation can spare families vast amounts of anguish that often accompany a second marriage. – Talmud

Sifsei Kohen explains that the extra words come to include that indeed, we as Jews, are bidden not only to honor our parents, but the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, who are also our parents, too. Everything we do should reflect the fact that we are their spiritual heirs, and that in itself is a means of honoring them with the greatest of respect.

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Partner Talk

IN THE BEGINNING

by RABBI LEIBY BURNHAM

Dear Rabbi,

In my ‘History of World Religions’ class, I am learning about Islam and how it started through Mohammed’s prophecy. It got me thinking about my own religion, which I only recently started to discover. This question may sound silly, but how did Judaism get started? While I’m at it, I wouldn’t mind understanding why we Jews think we are unique.

Thanks,
Julie

Dear Julie,

Thanks for your excellent question, one I certainly don’t consider silly. While some religions expect its adherents to have ’blind faith,’ Judaism demands that we ask questions. We aspire to what is called emunah, which is often misunderstood to mean ‘faith.’ Actually, it means faithfulness. We are expected to search out the answers to all the big questions, and then live our lives with faithfulness and the integrity of living by the truths we learn.

More directly to your question, it is noteworthy that the Torah instructs us to study the history of the generations that come before us. Doing so will help answer your question.

You are probably aware that thousands of religions besides Islam have sprouted up in hundreds of locales from Alaska to Zimbabwe. While the numerous religions may be different in their practices, prayers, or rituals, they share one common aspect – they all began with one or two individuals who had a vision of sorts in which they learned about the spiritual truths they were to convey to the masses. People like Mohammed, Siddhartha Gautama, and Joseph Smith all claimed to have had a special vision, around which, Islam, Buddhism, and Mormonism are based. The smaller religions (such as Seicho-no-Ie, started by Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi; Tenrikyo, started by Miki Nakayama; and the Messianic proclamations of Sun Myung Moon) also began this way.

These individual visions are not historical anomalies. In fact, this is how every single major religion (and for that matter, cult) in the world began – except for one – Judaism.

In this week’s parsha, we read about the revelation at Sinai, where G-d spoke to the entire Jewish people (600,000 adult males, and additionally, a similarly large number of women and children – collectively well over 2 million people). G-d spoke to all of them, as the verse says clearly, “You have seen that from the heavens I have spoken with you” (Exodus, 20:19).

So while thousands of religions were started through individuals who claimed to have been appointed as the religion’s ambassadors or prophets, only one claims G-d appeared to millions of people. As a student of world religions, I think you can appreciate the difference between a claim that G-d privately revealed Himself to one person and another that claims a revelation witnessed by millions of people. That’s a claim that would be hard for even the most very charismatic person to sell.

The Torah in fact tells us that we can look throughout history, and we will never find another nation that will claim to have had a national revelation. “For inquire now regarding the early days that preceded you, from the day when Hashem created man on the earth, and from one end of heaven to the other end of heaven: Has there ever been anything like this great thing, or has anything like it been heard? Has a people ever heard the voice of G-d speaking from the midst of the fire as you have heard, and survived?… You have been shown in order to know that Hashem, He is the G-d! There is none beside Him” (Deuteronomy 4:32-35).

Don’t take my word for this, Julie. Ask your professor and classmates whether they are familiar with any religion that makes a similar claim. I anticipate that the answer you get will deepen your appreciation for not only how our religion began, but also for the role it could play in your life.

All the best,
Rabbi Leiby Burnham

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Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

by RABBI LABEL LAM

“Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it. Six days shall you work and accomplish all your work; but the seventh day is Sabbath to Hashem, your G-d; you shall not do any work – you, your son, your daughter, your slave, your maidservant, your animal, and your convert within your gates – for in six days Hashem made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, Hashem blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it. Honor your mother and father, so that your days will be lengthened upon the land that Hashem, your G-d, gives you.” (Shemos 20:8-12) This selection from the Ten Commandments represents the fourth and fifth commandments.

א) Our Sages tell us that the Ten Commandments are divided in two sections. The first five inscribed on the first section of the tablets address man’s relationship with G-d. The remaining five inscribed on the other section of the tablets address man’s relationship with his fellow man. Other than a possibly obvious reason, why does man’s relationship with G-d come first?

ב) Why would the obligation to honor one’s parents appear in the section between man and G-d?

ג) G-d is not a physical entity and as such, surely doesn’t tire. What then could be meant by the statement that G-d “rested”?

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Parsha Summary

Yisro, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that had happened to B’nei Yisrael. He brought Tzippora, Moses’ wife, and their two sons to the desert to be reunited with Moses. Moses elaborated on all the marvelous events of the Exodus from Egypt. Yisro offered sacrifices to Hashem, and he and the elders of B’nei Yisrael ate together.

The next day, Yisro saw that B’nei Yisrael waited in line all day to seek advice from Moses and to ask him to settle their disputes. Yisro suggested that Moses appoint a capable group of men to assist him in judging the people. Moses selected a group of judges who would bring to his attention only the most difficult matters.

On Rosh Chodesh Sivan (the first day of the third month), B’nei Yisrael arrived at Mount Sinai. The nation was imbued with a spirit of devotion and unity. Moses carried Hashem’s message to the people, saying that if they would be loyal to Him, they would be His special treasure, a nation of priests and a holy people. B’nei Yisrael unanimously and enthusiastically accepted this destiny. They were instructed to prepare themselves for three days to receive the Torah directly from Hashem Himself. They were warned not to overstep the boundaries set for them.

A dense cloud covered Mount Sinai. Amid lightning and thunder, Moses was called to ascend the mountain, where he was given another warning to the people. Moses felt it was superfluous, but Hashem insisted, and he descended the mountain to be sure the people understood. Hashem then spoke to His beloved people and revealed to them the Ten Commandments. It was the only time in history when an entire nation heard the voice of Hashem speaking to them. The people were shaken by the experience, and begged Moses to be the intermediary for them, lest they die. Moses assured them that Hashem sought only to raise them to an exalted status, and to place His imprint upon them so that they would not sin.

The parsha ends with a command to build an altar for Hashem, which was to be placed on the ground, not raised on columns. The altar was to be built of stones, but they could not be fashioned with metal tools. Access to the top of the altar would be by means of a ramp, not steps, in order to ensure the maximum degree of modesty.

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Yisro-5769

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Parsha Perspectives

by RABBI LEIBY BURNHAM

וישמע יתרו כהן מדין חתן משה את כל אשר עשה אלקים למשה ולישראל עמו כי הוציא הי את ישראל ממצרים

“Now Moses’ father in law, Jethro, the chieftain of Midian, heard all that G-d had done for Moses and for Israel, His people that the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 18:1)

The events leading up to Jethro’s arrival are described in the first verse of the parsha noted above how Jethro “heard” what G-d did for the Jews. Rashi asks what exactly Jethro heard which prompted him to come to the desert and join the Jews, instead of just sending his daughter and grandchildren. He answers that he heard about the splitting of the sea and the war that the Jews had fought with Amalek.

One part of this answer makes perfect sense, while the other seems troubling. G-d splitting a sea and allowing the Jews to walk through on dry land is something spectacular, and a good reason for someone to come and join the nation. (The Sages even tell us that every body of water in the world split on a smaller scale to give the world a glimpse of the miracle!) But the fact that they had fought a war with Amalek and won doesn’t seem to be such a great reason for a person to uproot themselves from a land where he is well respected and come out to the desert and join a new nation! It would seem reasonable that if Jethro’s motivation to join the Jews was based on the splitting sea and the 10 plagues or the splitting sea and the exodus from Egypt. But what was so significant about the war with Amalek that Rashi tells us that this caused Jethro to radically change his life?

One explanation offered is that it was not the fact that the Jews defeated the Amaleky attack that inspired Jethro, but the fact that there was such an attack in the first place. Jethro wondered how could it be that after the splitting of the sea, a miracle of gargantuan proportions that rocked the entire world, that someone could dare to come and attack the Jews? Egypt, the superpower of the world, was brought to its knees by ten terrible plagues, but did not stop persecuting the Jews. They then followed the Jews to the sea, and were thoroughly vanquished by the raging waters. Wouldn’t that be enough to keep everyone away from the Jews?

Somehow, shortly after the splitting of the sea, Amalek came with an army to attack the Jews. This showed Jethro that when someone sees a huge miracle, it doesn’t necessarily change them; it just provides an impetus for change. And if one doesn’t seize the moment, it gets lost and loses all its power. This is how the nation of Amalek was able to attack. They let the miracles they saw slide right off their backs, and blithely continued with their evil plans. Jethro realized that he didn’t want this to happen to him, so he seized the moment and came to the desert to join the Jews.

Many times we experience powerful moments in our life, and we are left with a feeling of inspiration. What Amalek and Jethro teach us is that if we don’t capitalize on that moment, we can lose it forever, and if we do we can elevate ourselves dramatically. Let us try to be Jethros and not Amalekites! Carpe Diem!

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Parsha Talking Points

by RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS

1. FOR THE LOVE OF IN-LAWS

“And Moses went out toward his father-in-law and he bowed down and kissed him and each man asked about the welfare of the other and they came to the tent.” 18:7

And he bowed down – This is an example of Moses’ exceptional humility. He, the leader of the entire nation, bowed down before his father-in-law, behaved deferentially toward him, and related all the events that had transpired. – Rabbi Yosef Bechor Shor

Toward his father-in-law – Why does it not say “toward Jethro, his father-in-law?” The answer is that Moses’s respect for Jethro extended beyond the fact that he was his father-in-law. Regardless of who he was, Moses would have gone out to greet him. The mere fact that he was his father-in-law was more than enough to earn Moses’s respect, for an in-law plays an integral role in the upbringing of one’s spouse. Thus, one is obligated to respect his in-laws just as he is obligated to respect his own parents. – Sifsei Kohen

Massas HaMelech adds that this is not just good practice, but rather it is a halachic obligation to honor one’s in-laws. Otherwise, Moses, who had the legal status of a king, would not have been permitted to humble himself before his father-in-law. If he did so, that is proof that he was obligated to do so.

2. A NATION OF PROPHETS

“And Hashem said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will come to you in the thickness of a cloud so that the nation should hear as I speak to you and in you they will believe forever,’ and Moses shared the response of the people with Hashem.” 19:9

In the thickness of a cloud – Although the Almighty usually communicated with Moses with even greater clarity, in a manner known as “face to face;” this time, He would be speaking to him through the thickness of a cloud so that not only Moses, but all of the people too, could hear His voice. Although this diminished his experience somewhat, it offered an additional benefit in that now that they’d experienced prophecy firsthand, they would no longer doubt Moses’ ability to review Divine prophecy and they would accept the dictates he passed on in the name of the Almighty. – Ohr HaChaim (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar) Sforno

(Rabbi Ovadia Sforno) explains that what the people doubted was not Moses’ ability to prophesy. This was something known from much earlier times since others had done so as well. Their doubt lay in his ability to do so while fully awake without having to enter a trance-like state. Therefore, the Almighty promised that this time, they too would experience prophecy while fully conscious, albeit only through a cloud, and no longer would they doubt Moses’ ability to do so. It was crucial that they accept this because it was this unique ability of Moses that endowed his words with greater legitimacy and authority than that of all other prophets.

3. TRADING SPACES

“’Do not covet the house of your fellow, do not covet the wife of your fellow, his servant, his maid, his ox, his donkey, and all that is to your fellow.” 19:6

Do not covet – Many people wonder how the Torah could ask us to control our thoughts to such a degree and abstain from coveting something that truly appeals to our senses. The answer is that just as a bedraggled street urchin does not ever contemplate earning the princess’s hand in marriage, so too, should a person feel about that which Hashem has granted someone else. Clearly, it wasn’t meant for you or the Almighty would have granted it to you. Obsessing over it makes as little sense as wishing you had the wings of a bird so that you too could fly. Knowing that it cannot ever happen convinces you to waste no time doing so. – Ibn Ezra (Rabbi Avraham ben Meir)

Do not covet – It is important to note that this prohibition does not preclude one from seeing something that another person has and purchasing a similar item for himself. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with that. Rather, the prohibition extends only to items which are not possible to duplicate such as his wife, home etc.

Do not covet – Although it is forbidden to covet ones material possessions, it is perfectly acceptable to covet one’s Torah knowledge for this will inspire a person to pursue ever greater heights in Torah and observance. – Rabbeinu Bachya

Why does the Torah conclude this verse with, “and all that is to your fellow” after offering so many examples that already made this point? The commentators explain that the reason we covet that which another person has is because we don’t bother to look at the bigger picture. We see one aspect of his life that appears ideal and we yearn for that while never bothering to consider what else comes along with his situation. We don’t bother to contemplate all the hardship that went into obtaining it or the other aspects of his life that aren’t as appealing. Thus, the Torah admonishes us, “Do not covet his wife, servant, ox, donkey…unless you are also willing to take the rest of what he has, “all that is to your fellow.” Once a person thinks about the entire picture, he’ll rarely wish that he was in the other person’s shoes.

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Partner Talk

MOSES VS. ABRAHAM

by RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS

Dear Rabbi,

I have been studying with my partner for almost a year and it has proven to be a worthwhile experience. I am learning to read Hebrew and have been keeping up with the weekly parsha. I was wondering about Moses receiving the Torah for the Jewish people… Why did Hashem give the Torah to Moses and not Abraham? I would appreciate your thoughts on this subject.

May all your days be filled with peace,
Chandra S.

Chandra,

I’m so glad to hear that you’re finding the Partners in Torah experience satisfying. Your question is a very important one and the response is somewhat comprehensive, so please bear with me as I share with you a few essential points.

1 – Abraham was a single individual, not a nation. The purpose of the creation of the universe was so that there would be at a minimum a large group of people [i.e. a nation] that worship G-d by observing His Torah. Ideally, all of mankind would do so. In lieu of that, at a minimum, an entire nation must do. Abraham could not receive the Torah because it was intended for the entire nation. It was not until Moses’ time when the Jewish people were no longer just a large extended family but totaled in the millions, that they would constitute a critical mass large enough to receive the Torah.

2 – Although he was not actually given the Torah, the Talmud tells us that Abraham intuited its ideas and observed them meticulously. Not only did he observe what later were explicit commandments, but he even observed rabbinic stringencies that were only enacted many years later. His son Isaac, and grandson Jacob did likewise. Thus, his lack of having been given the Torah should not be understood in any way as a taint on his record.

3 – The Torah contains a wide variety of mitzvos, some applicable only to men, some to women, and some to both. Some apply only to a Kohen, some only to a Levi, and some only to a Yisrael. Some apply only to people who live in the land of Israel, while others are universal. In sum, one person cannot possibly observe all of the mitzvos in a technical sense. For that, a large body of diverse people is needed. As an individual, Abraham was not in a position to accept the entire Torah, only those aspects of it that were relevant to his personal life. Thus, it was necessary to wait until such time as it was feasible for the entire Torah to be accepted jointly by the entire nation. This did not occur until Moses’ time.

4 – The Torah, by its very nature, is not suitable for all. It is a very demanding set of rules to live by, and while immensely fulfilling, requires true commitment and perseverance. Many people are initially attracted to it only to see their enthusiasm wane when they realize the sort of commitment necessary to remain loyal to its message. Although Abraham demonstrated the commitment necessary to retain it, it could not be assumed that his children would do so as well until they themselves underwent many of his early experiences that cemented his commitment to it. Therefore, the Jewish people first had to undergo the 210 years of enslavement in Egypt, a culture that represented the exact opposite of what the Torah stood for, and overcome their natural temptation to assimilate. This experience, while full of suffering and hardship, helped encode in their genes a commitment to the Torah’s ideals that sustains us until today. That’s why it had to wait until the time of Moses and could not be given to Abraham alone.

Wishing you continued growth in your studies,
Rabbi Elazar Meisels

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Soul Talk

The Torah describes Hashem’s patience and forbearance in the context of delaying the punishments of the Egyptians and of the evil Titus. In both those cases, the punishments were delayed. This was not because the sinners might repent, but because the time for the appropriate penalty had not yet arrived. Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, in his Tomer Devorah (1:2, 1:5), tells us that Hashem also delays retribution at other times, being patient with a sinner although he has not yet repented.

This is the second of Hashem’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, the Tomer Devorah says, denoted by the prophet’s words describing Hashem (Michah 7:18): נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן, Who bears iniquity. The significance of Hashem bearing iniquity is best appreciated, he explains, with the understanding that when a person sins, he creates a destructive celestial being — a mashchis — representing that sin.

Everything in the world exists only though Hashem’s continual will for its existence. Logic would dictate that Hashem say to the mashchis — which was created through the contravention of Hashem’s wishes — ‘‘I will not support you — let the person who caused you to come into being sustain you!’’ Then the mashchis would go to the sinner and take his life or punish him until the sin is erased. At that point the mashchis would have no more reason to exist, and justice would be served.

But Hashem, in His kindness to man, bears iniquity — He supports this mashchis until it does not need to be sustained anymore. This could be either because Hashem has punished the sinner, or because the sinner repented and thereby made the mashchis cease to exist.

We have an obligation to emulate Hashem’s ways and apply the lessons we learn from His attributes to our daily interactions with people. The practical lesson we can learn from here is that a person must be extremely patient with others. Even when someone was wronged and the effects of that wrong are still in existence, one should try to bear those burdens until either the offending person makes amends or circumstances cause them to become irrelevant.

Another related Attribute of Hashem’s Mercy is the fifth: לֹא־הֶחֱזִיק לָעַד אַפּוֹ, He does not maintain His wrath forever. Included in this attribute is the fact that even if a person sins and does not immediately repent, Hashem holds His anger back from the person. Hashem waits, giving the sinner a chance — perhaps he will repent: לֹא־לָנֶצַח יָרִיב וְלֹא לְעוֹלָם יִטּוֹר, He will not quarrel for eternity, nor will He forever bear a grudge (Psalms 103:9).

This is also an important lesson to apply to our interpersonal relationships. Even when one has the power and opportunity to punish someone who has wronged him, one should not do so. This is certainly true when one has no right to bear ill will toward the wrongdoer (one is generally not permitted to hate a fellow Jew). But even in a case where it is permitted to hate him (see Pesachim 113b), the Sages instruct us: תִּשְׁבּוֹק מָה דִבְלִבָּךְ, abandon your feelings (Targum Onkelos, Shemos 23:5). Instead, bring an enemy closer with love — perhaps that will help. And that is precisely this attribute — not to maintain wrath forever.

With permission from Artscroll’s Daily Dose

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Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

by OZER ALPORT

א) We are taught (Peah 1:1) that the mitzvah of Torah study is so important that it is equal to all of the other mitzvos. If Torah study is so fundamental, why wouldn’t it have been included in the 10 Commandments?

ב) Rashi writes (20:1) that Hashem initially said all of the 10 Commandments simultaneously, and then stated each one individually because the human ear isn’t capable of understanding two things said at the same time. That being the case, what possible purpose could Hashem have had in initially stating the commandments in an incomprehensible manner?

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Parsha Summary

Yisro, Moshe Rabbeinu’s father-in-law, hears all that has happened to Bnai Yisroel. He brings Tzipora, Moshe’s wife, and their two sons to the desert to be reunited with Moshe. Moshe elaborates on all the marvelous events of the Exodus from Egypt. Yisro offers sacrifices to Hashem, and he and the notables of Bnai Yisroel eat together.

The next day, Yisro sees that Bnai Yisroel wait on line all day to seek advice from Moshe and to have him settle their disputes. Yisro suggests that Moshe appoint a capable group of men to assist him in judging the people. Moshe selects a group of judges who will bring to his attention only the most difficult matters.

On Rosh Chodesh Sivan, Bnai Yisroel arrive at Har Sinai. The nation is imbued with a spirit of devotion and unity. Moshe carries Hashem’s message to the people that if they will be loyal to Him, they will be His special treasure, a nation of priests and a holy people. Bnai Yisroel unanimously and enthusiastically accept this destiny. They are instructed to prepare themselves for three days to receive the Torah directly from Hashem Himself. They are warned not to overstep the boundaries set for them.

A dense cloud covers Har Sinai. Amid lightning and thunder, Moshe is called to ascend the mountain where he is given another warning to the people. Moshe feels it is superfluous, but Hashem insists, and he descends the mountain to be sure the people understand. When all is ready, Hashem speaks to His beloved people and reveals to them the Aseres Hadibros, the Ten Commandments. It is the only time in history that an entire nation hears the voice of Hashem speaking to its’ assembled multitude. The people are shaken by the experience, and beg Moshe to be the intermediary for them, lest they die. Moshe assures them that Hashem seeks only to raise them to an exalted status, and to place His imprint upon them so that they do not sin.

The parsha ends with a command to build an alter for Hashem which is to be placed on the ground, not raised on columns. The alter is to be built of stones, but they may not be fashioned with metal tools. Access to the top of the alter will be by means of a ramp, not steps, in order to insure the maximum degree of tznius (modesty).

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Parsha Perspectives

by OZER APLORT

וישמע יתרו

“And Jethro heard.” (Exodus 18:1)

Our parsha begins by relating that Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, heard about all of the miracles that Hashem performed for the Jewish people. This motivated Jethro to come join the Jewish people in the desert and to convert to Judaism. Although the verse here calls him Jethro, Rashi notes that throughout Tanach, we find seven different names used in reference to him. Each name connotes a different aspect of his personality or accomplishments.

One of the seven names is Yeser (יתר), which is also the Hebrew word that means “to add.” Rashi explains that this name refers to the fact that a portion of the Torah was added based on Jethro’s suggestion to Moses in our parsha that he establish a system of courts and judges.

However, in referencing the section that was added based on Jethro’s proposal, Rashi curiously quotes the verse (18:21) in which Jethro delineated his plan to Moses and enumerated the requirements for proper judges. This is difficult to understand, as a cursory perusal of the parsha reveals that Jethro’s exchange with Moses began several verses earlier (21:17), when he advised Moses that the current arrangement was flawed and unsatisfactory. Why does Rashi seem to misquote the beginning of the portion of judges added by Jethro?

Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, known as the Imrei Emes (1866-1948), was once present at a Rabbinical conference in Warsaw that was called to discuss the burning issues of the day and to brainstorm possible solutions. There was one man present who somehow found a problem and proceeded to poke holes in every proposal that was mentioned. Eventually, the astute Rabbi Alter approached the critic and said that because he seemed to be so good at raising questions, he would like to pose one of his own to him.

Rabbi Alter turned and asked him our question about Rashi’s apparent misquote, to which the man had no answer. He told the critic that without much effort, virtually anybody can find problems with someone else’s ideas. Rare is the individual who constructively offers an alternative plan of action.

Rabbi Alter then proceeded to offer the following response to the question we posed earlier. In quoting the later verse as the beginning of the portion added as a result of Jethro, Rashi is teaching us that had Jethro only approached Moses to criticize the current system as flawed without offering a viable alternative, he wouldn’t have merited an additional section in the Torah. It was only because Jethro’s critique was a constructive introduction of a superior alternative did the Torah find it worthy of recording!

We live in a society where it is considered perfectly normal to criticize the status quo and to tear apart any solutions offered by another person. Co-workers do it well, spouses do it better, and many of those who’ve perfected the art are now running for President. While we cannot change the approach of others, we can internalize Rashi’s lesson that while anybody can focus on finding faults, a true leader and innovator will concentrate on proposing constructive solutions.

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Parsha Talking Points

by RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS

1. HAPPY FOR YOU

“Yisro said, ‘Blessed is Hashem, Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt and the hand of Pharaoh…” 18:10

Blessed is Hashem – It was taught in the name of Rav Papais, “It is an embarrassment to Moses and the six hundred thousand [Jews who were with him] that they did not say ‘Baruch’ [Blessed is Hashem] and that Yisro was the first to do so.” – Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin, 94a

Did not Moses, along with the entire nation, sing “Az Yashir” on the seashore in acknowledgment of Hashem’s tremendous kindness toward them? Indeed, the Jewish people wholeheartedly thanked Hashem for his kindness. However, they were thanking Him for the kindness He had done on their behalf. Yisro, on the other hand, was an outsider, as he was not [yet] a Jew. His expression of thanks toward the Almighty, was not for the kindness he personally experienced, but for that done on behalf of others. Expressing gratitude of this nature was something that Moses, and the Jewish people, still had not managed to accomplish. - Rav Shlomo of Radomsk zt”l

Why is it important to thank Hashem for the kindness that He performs on behalf of others? People often have a hard time relishing the success of others. If it doesn’t directly affect their own bottom line, they act as if they couldn’t care less. By training ourselves to feel good about the success of others, we are actively overcoming this selfish trait. Additionally, one who seeks to bolster his trust in Hashem, is well advised to seek out the many kindnesses that Hashem performs on behalf of mankind in general, and not only on what he personally receives from the Almighty. That way, he’ll surely be overwhelmed by the realization that Hashem’s kindness is truly without limits.

2. NOT SO SMART AFTER ALL

“And Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he suggested.” 18:24

Listened To The Voice Of His Father-In-Law – Why did Yisro merit having an entire parshah written based on his advice proffered when he wasn’t even Jewish? This is an eternal lesson for the Jewish people that wisdom and good sense were not the reasons Hashem chose us to be His nation, for there is much wisdom and good sense to be found among the nations of the world, as well. It was only thanks to His kindness towards us, and His great love for our ancestors that He chose us to be his unique nation. – Or HaChaim (R. Chaim ben Attar,1696-1743)

History proves that one of the most difficult lessons for the Jewish people to comprehend is the notion that as Jews, our uniqueness lies not in our overpowering intellect, but in the merit of the patriarchs and our willingness to emulate their ways. Insofar as our actions reflect their devotion and passion for serving Hashem, we are the Chosen People. If we mistakenly assume that it is simply due to an inherent mystical quality not found elsewhere in the human race, the story of Yisro serves as a powerful reminder that there is plenty of wisdom and good sense to be found elsewhere, as well. Hence, our greatest contribution to society need not be in the arts and sciences. There are plenty of others equally capable of duplicating that success. Rather, it should be in the area of morality, where the example of our patriarchs endows us with a unique ability to serve as a “light unto the nations.”

3. EASY DOES IT

“And Moses ascended to Hashem, and Hashem called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘This is what you shall say to the House of Yaakov, and relate to the Bnei Yisrael.’” 19:4

Say To the House of Yaakov – This refers to the women. Say it to them in a gentle voice.

And Tell the B’nei Yisrael – To the men you shall explain the penalties and details of the mitzvos using strong words. – Rashi

Say To the House of Yaakov – The women were instructed in the Torah first, because a dedicated woman is crucial to success in transmitting the Torah to the next generation, as she will be the one to encourage her children to attend Cheder (Jewish elementary school) in a pleasant and inviting manner. These early years are the foundation upon which the child’s lifelong dedication to Torah will rest. – Rabbeinu Bachya (Rabbi Bachya ben Asher)

Rabbeinu Bachya adds that this is the source of the custom for women to pray for their children’s spiritual success immediately following candle-lighting for Shabbos, as prayer is always more efficacious when coupled with the performance of a mitzvah. The mitzvah to light candles, which symbolize light, is an especially appropriate mitzvah to merge with a plea for success in Torah, which is also compared to light.

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Partner Talk

BLUEPRINT

by MRS. ALIZA BULOW

Dear Mrs. Bulow,

As a graduate student in architecture, I was intrigued when I heard that the Torah is the “blueprint of the world.” But in my world, blueprints are created before the construction process begins, and I recall learning that the Torah was given after the world was created, so I’m a bit confused. What exactly does this statement mean?

Sincerely,
Miriam B

Dear Miriam,

Your question is very astute. It is true that our sages compare the Torah to the blueprint of the world; the actual phraseology is “Istakeil b’orisa, u’bara alma” – “G-d looked into the Torah, and created the world.” And, you are right, a blueprint, by definition, comes before the fact.

How could G-d have looked into the Torah before it was written, before the events contained therein unfolded? Understanding the answer requires a complete paradigm shift.

A common understanding is that the Torah is a record of the formation of the Jewish people as well as an instruction book on how to carry out the mission with which we were charged. While it certainly serves those purposes as well, it is in fact much more than that.

Many recognize the wisdom of its laws and how well they work with human nature and physical reality. For example, there are laws requiring us to honor and respect our parents, which is of benefit to both the individual and society, but something a child might overlook. There are also laws of kashrus (dietary laws) forbidding foods that are often unhealthy, like bottom feeding sea creatures, or meat from sick animals. But if one would think that the Torah is “sensitive” or “responsive” to the world and that’s why it makes so much sense, he would be seriously mistaken. The Torah is not responsive. Here is the paradigm shift: like a blueprint, it is causative. The Torah does not describe the world, it prescribes the world. The Torah, in the largest sense of the word (both the written and the oral dimension), was created before the world came into existence. It was then made manifest in the creation of the world and in the unfolding of history. We don’t honor our parents because we have them, we have parents so we can honor them.

Rabbi Akiva Tatz, who is also a medical doctor, in his book “Worldmask,” describes the relationship of Torah to the world using the analogy of genes. Genes are causative. They not only contain the future picture of what the developing body will look like, they are what make the shape take form. In his words, Torah is the DNA of creation.

Given this understanding, a blueprint is a very apt analogy. It not only describes how a future building will look, it also “directs” the contractor in the construction process. But there is another important aspect of this analogy. Just as a contractor can understand how to build a building from looking at the blueprint, so can a very skilled architect look at a completed building and discern the blueprint. He (or she!) could walk through an intricately constructed palace, and given enough time, draw out the plans necessary to build the same structure, but… he wouldn’t know what’s inside the walls. He can’t see if there’s wiring for the Internet or what type of pipes are used in the plumbing – what’s in the walls is unbeknownst to him unless he can look at the original plans.

So too, a spiritually astute person, in accordance with his or her level of sensitivity and perception, can look at the world and discern aspects of its blueprint (Torah). For this reason, some of the world’s religions include elements of Truth, and there are individuals and communities that lead lifestyles of positive behavior because of their desire to connect to the Divine. They have been able to discern some of the truth in Torah through contemplating the world, and, being spiritual people, they have put what they understand into practice.

However, without the total blueprint before them they are at a disadvantage; they can only guess according to their level of knowledge. They have many holes in their understanding, not for lack of effort or concern, but because they did not receive the gift at Mount Sinai that we did. Part of the gift of being “chosen” is having the “security clearance” necessary to be able to view the whole blueprint. It was given, in its entirety, to us alone. And we are also blessed with sages in every generation to help us discern all its subtleties.

Just as an architect must be trained to read the special language and notations of blueprints before he can properly benefit from the plan, so too, we must learn the special language of the Torah in order to truly gain insight into its depths and meanings.

As you further your study of architecture, I encourage you to also expand your knowledge of the Torah- the Jewish blueprint- as well.

Warmly,
Aliza Bulow

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Soul Talk

The Torah teaches us that although everyone heard about and even saw the miracle of the Splitting of the Sea, only Yisro took a lesson from it and was motivated to join the Bnei Yisrael. This concept is discussed by Rabbeinu Yonah in Shaarei Teshuvah (2:26), where he notes that often, when people hear a very moving lecture or are shaken up by terrible news, they are prompted to change their ways. However, the impact does not last long, for the yetzer hara (evil inclination) tries hard to make the person forget the lesson. In just a few days, he will be back to normal.

The only way to insure a lasting message from an inspiring incident or the like is for a person to consciously “wake himself up” and discern what lessons can be learned from that incident, and how those lessons can impact upon and change his life.

He quotes the words of Hillel (Avos 1:14): עם אין אני לי מי לי, If I am not for myself, who will be for me? This means that although a person can hear speeches and lectures given by others, nothing will become a part of him unless he is actively involved in internalizing the message, utilizing his own understanding and intellect.

This is what Yisro did. He did not simply hear the facts of the great miracles as everyone else did; he took it a step further. He asked himself: “What does my knowledge of those miracles obligate me to do? What lessons do they teach me? Who is really in charge of everything in this world? And what can I do to become close to the true G-d?”

In the Yiddish language there are two very similar words, whose meanings are worlds apart. One is דערהערען, heren, which means hearing, and the other is ןערעהרעד, derheren, which means comprehending. Someone can talk in a foreign language and he will be heard by everyone in the room, but not everyone will understand and comprehend what is being said.

This is why so many times, even after being exposed to clear indications of the hand of Hashem (such as the hurricanes and tsunamis of recent years), it does not take long for us to shake off our inspiration and go back to our regular routine. If we only hear current events, but fail to understand their messages and internalize their lessons, then the yetzer hara (evil inclination) will do a fine job of helping us to forget the initial impact.

Rav Chaim Shmulevitz put it so perfectly. The Midrash (Yalkut 244) tells us that a maidservant saw at the Sea what even the great Yechezkel the prophet did not see (this refers to visions of Hashem’s Throne). He asks: Why, then, did the maidservant not become a prophet like Yechezkel? And he answers: Because even after she saw the great vision, she remained a maidservant; she did nothing more than see. Thus, while she may have indeed seen great things, this did not motivate her to grow spiritually and change her ways.

With permission from Artscroll’s Daily Dose

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Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

א) In advising Moses of the qualities to seek in prospective judges (18:21), why didn’t Jethro mention the quality of wisdom? (Rabbeinu Bechaye)

ב) How is it possible for Hashem to command a person (20:14) not to covet another person’s possessions, when he has control over his actions but no ability to restrain the feelings which arise naturally in his heart? (Ibn Ezra)

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Hey I Never Knew That

Amazing Insights About the Weekly Parsha

by OZER ALPORT

1) Q: In founding the first modern Jewish school for girls, Sarah Schenirer chose to name it “Bais Yaakov,” – the house of Jacob – a phrase which is used in our parsha (19:3) in reference to the Jewish women. However, in referring to the men, the Torah uses the phrase the “sons” of Israel. Why when discussing the women does it use the phrase “the house” of Jacob when “daughters” would seem to be the appropriate parallel?

A: Rabbi Meir Shapiro observes that when a person becomes ill, there are hypothetically two ways for a doctor to treat him. The standard procedure is to prescribe medication, although another theoretical option would be to design a room in which the air is full of the necessary antibiotic. The former option has the drawbacks that it only helps one patient and requires active administration, whereas the latter could benefit many people without any effort on their parts.

Similarly, in fighting the universal illness known as the yetzer hara (evil inclination), men follow the prescription of the Talmud (Kiddushin 30b) to repel it through the study of Torah. Although the latter option isn’t currently medically feasible, Jewish women nevertheless use it to ward off spiritual illness. As the backbones of the house, they imbue the entire home with an atmosphere of holiness and spirituality, which automatically benefits not only themselves but also their husbands and children and all who are fortunate to enter their homes.

This is alluded to in a well-known verse (Proverbs 1:8), “Listen my son to the rebuke of your father, and don’t forsake the teachings of your mother.” King Solomon found it necessary to instruct one to listen to the lessons of one’s father, but a mother’s wisdom permeates the very air of the house and will be absorbed without any effort. It is to emphasize this connection that the Torah refers to the women not as the daughters of Jacob but as the house of Jacob.

2) Q: Jethro advised Moses (18:22) that the judges he would appoint should bring for his judgment any דבר גדול – major matter, but Moses instituted a system (18:26) in which the judges brought to him any דבר קשה - difficult matter. Why did Moses deviate from Jethro’s instructions, and what is the difference between their two approaches?

A: Rabbi Chaim Berlin explains that Jethro judged the value and importance of a court case by the amount of money at stake. As such, he advised Moses that only cases involving large sums of money were worthy of his time and consideration. Moses, however, understood that the Torah’s goal is to promote justice and therefore assigns the same significance to a case involving millions of dollars as it does to one involving only a few cents. In his eyes, the primary determinant of a case deserving of his valuable time and expertise was one which was difficult for the lower judges to resolve.

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Parsha Summary

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Yisro-5767

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Parsha Perspectives

by OZER ALPORT

וישמע יתרו

“And Yisro heard” (Exodus 18:1)

After hearing about the miracles that Hashem performed for the Jewish people at the Reed Sea and in the battle against Amalek, Yisro came to convert and join the Jewish people. The Torah seems to emphasize that there was something unique and significant about Yisro hearing of these miracles.

Rav Moshe Alshich explains that while the entire world heard about these miracles, and everyone was filled with awe and fear of the Jews, only Yisro chose to do something about it – to come and convert. Proper hearing doesn’t merely connote the ability to detect and process sound waves-it requires an understanding of the message being conveyed.

Rav Shalom Schwadron likens the difference to two people walking down the train tracks. When the conductor of an oncoming train notices them, he begins to sound a shrill warning whistle. Both men hear the whistle. One is a simple farmer who has never before seen a train, and therefore continues walking, enjoying the view and the sounds of the whistle, while the other understands the warning being expressed and immediately flees from the oncoming danger.

While both men physically “heard” the sound of the whistle, only the second one can be said to have properly heard and understood the message.

Similarly, although the nations of the world heard of the miracles which Hashem performed for the Jews in Egypt and in the desert, the news went in one ear and out the other, failing to penetrate and change them. Only Yisro internalized the message, understanding what was required of him and acting accordingly.

During World War I, many of the Jews of war-torn Poland fled to take refuge in Austria. One year on Shabbos Chanuka, Rav Moses Flesch, the Rav of a shul in Vienna, gave a speech about the strength and determination of Yehudis, a heroine of the Chanuka story. He continued by noting that while yeshivos had spread throughout Europe and a proper Jewish education was available to many boys, there was unfortunately no similar option for Jewish girls, who were forced to attend public school and received only a very rudimentary religious education.

Lacking a solid background, the girls were all too often swept up in the anti-religious movements of the time. Rav Flesch stressed the need for a modern-day Yehudis to step forward and establish a suitable system of formal education for Jewish girls, so that they would be equipped with the information necessary to remain religious in a modern world.

While everybody in the packed shul heard his inspiring words on that fateful day, only one girl up in the crowded Ezras Nashim (women’s section) truly “heard” the message – her name was Sarah Schneirer, and she was inspired by his address to establish the modern Beis Yaakov movement, giving Jewish girls the opportunity to receive a proper Jewish education.

Many times in life Hashem sends us personal messages and wake-up calls. Although we always hear the information being presented to us, we often choose to ignore the call to action which is required. At those times, let us “hear” the lesson of Yisro and of Sarah Schneirer and understand the actions and changes that we are required to undertake.

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Parsha Talking Points

by RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS

1. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

“Yisro said, ‘Blessed is Hashem, Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt and the hand of Pharaoh…Now I know that Hashem is greater than all the other gods, for [by the] very matter in which [the Egyptians] had conspired against them!’” 18:10-11

Than All The Other Gods – Yisro was familiar with every form of idolatry and had served every one of them [at one point or another]. – Rashi

For the very matter in which they had conspired against them! – The Egyptians sought to destroy the Jewish nation [by drowning their children] in water and they themselves ended up perishing by drowning in water. - Rashi

That the Egyptians were punished by G-d came as no surprise to Yisro. What stunned him, and reinforced his awareness of G-d’s omnipotence, was the fact that He struck them in precisely the manner that they had sought to strike the Jews. Idolatry is based on the assumption that the manifold forces in nature compete with and seek to overpower one another, since each wields power in one area only and is defenseless in the others. By punishing the Egyptians through water, G-d demonstrated that not only wasn’t He vulnerable in that area as they had suspected, to the contrary, He was capable of utilizing it to overpower and annihilate them.

2. THE MANDATE OF JEWISH UNITY

“In the third month from the Exodus… they arrived at the wilderness of Sinai…and encamped in the wilderness, and Israel encamped there, opposite the mountain.” 19:1, 2

And Israel encamped there – The verb “encamped” is in the singular, in contrast to the previous verbs. This is to teach that the entire assembly encamped like a single person, with one heart. – Rashi

Jewish unity is not merely a desirable condition for the Jewish people. Rather, it is a prerequisite for the Jewish nation to partake of the Torah and its numerous benefits. Until this point, each encampment was filled with strife and disunity and thus, there was no possibility of giving them the Torah. Now that they had resolved their differences and stood as one harmonious unit, they were deserving of receiving the Torah, which requires a concerted effort to fulfill the will of Hashem.

3. THE POTENTIAL TO BE LEADERS

“’You shall be to me a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation,’ these are the words that you shall speak to the Jewish people.” 19:6

A kingdom of ministers - Leaders – Rashi

A kingdom of ministers – You shall be to Me, My special portion [dedicated to serving Me in this world]. – Rabbeinu Bachya

Had the Jewish people been meritorious, they could have each been a Kohen Gadol. This elevated status will be restored to them in the End of Days. – Baal HaTurim

Our decision to assume the weighty moral responsibilities of the Torah endowed us all with the potential to be exceedingly great. How firmly we would adhere to the strictures of the Torah would determine our success at attaining this lofty goal. The potential is there eternally, and although the promise that we would collectively attain it will not be fulfilled until the Messianic Era, every person is capable of individually pursuing and achieving this noble quest. To strive for less is to shortchange oneself of the unique rank accessible only to the Jewish people.

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Partner Talk

by RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS

Dear Rabbi,

I recently came across the verse in the Torah [Vayikra 19:18] that instructs us against bearing a grudge or taking revenge. Although it seems straightforward enough, I find it almost impossible to observe- taking revenge would seem to be such a natural reaction to someone who really harmed me. Am I missing something, or is this one of those laws that asks us to deny the reality of human nature?

Jed N.

Dear Jed,

Thank you for your very thought-provoking question. The truth is that although it may appear to defy human nature, I believe that this is only because the full meaning of the verse is not understood. The full text of the verse is, “Do not take revenge, nor bear a grudge against another Jew, you shall love your fellow as yourself – I am Hashem.” The verse does not ask us to simply forget the offense committed, but it explains why we are being asked to do so as well. It predicates it on the obligation to love another Jew as you love yourself.

Clearly, this is no simple matter, and the commentaries discuss what the exact parameters of this obligation are. However, the verse makes it clear that it is precisely this love that precludes the possibility of bearing a grudge or taking revenge against another Jew. Why is this, and how can one obtain this deep affection for another Jew that empowers him to forgo the instincts and pleasures of revenge?

The Chofetz Chaim, in his classic work, “Shmiras HaLoshon,” provides insight [Chelek 1, Shaar HaTevunos, Perek 6]. He quotes the Talmud Yerushalmi which offers a powerful analogy to explain this idea. Imagine someone walking in the woods whose leg became entangled in a fallen tree limb and caused him to trip and fall. Would he become incensed at his leg and begin striking it with his arms? Will he start to kick it with his other leg? Would he bear a grudge against his leg for causing him this agony? Surely not! It is impossible to separate the leg from the arm and view them as separate entities that one would bear ill will toward the other.

The Jewish people are referred to in Divrei HaYomim [1:17:21] as a single entity, “And who is like your nation Israel, one nation in the land.” This comparison is not merely symbolic. The mystics teach that although every Jew appears in this world as an individual, in reality, we are all merely extensions of a central unit called the Jewish soul that resides in the spiritual world. At its’ core in the spiritual world, this soul is a unified entity, which branches out and manifests itself in the physical world as individual human beings. The separateness, however, is illusory. In reality, no Jew is independent of the others. Once a person recognizes that at his core, he is one with each and every Jew, the obligation to love another Jew as yourself is self-understood. It’s as natural as the expectation that the arms and legs feel and act in unison. They’re one and the same: parts of a greater whole.

When one Jew acts foolishly or even harmfully toward another Jew, it should not be perceived as an act of aggression against that individual. Rather, the Torah teaches us to view the aggressor as the leg that became entangled and caused the person to trip and fall. The victim is like the arm, and thoughts of grudges or revenge are obviously inappropriate.

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Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

א) The Talmud relates (Avodah Zara 2b) that before giving the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai, Hashem first offered it to the other nations of the world, all of whom refused. How can we make a blessing every morning thanking Hashem for choosing us from all of the nations and giving us His Torah (אשר בחר בנו מכל העמים ונתן לנו את תורתו) when it was only presented to us after every other nation declined the offer?

ב) The Talmud recounts (Shabbos 88a) that when the Jewish people were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, Hashem lifted the mountain above them like a barrel and threatened them that if they don’t accept the Torah, ‘שם תהא קבורתכם – there will be your burial place.’ What is the metaphor of a barrel? If Hashem’s intention was to intimidate them, being buried by a mountain seems a lot scarier than being buried by a barrel!

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Hey I Never Knew That

Amazing Insights About the Weekly Parsha

by OZER ALPORT

1) Q: Why did Moses wait for Yisro and his family to come on their own to rejoin him instead of sending a messenger inviting and encouraging them to come?

A: The Alter of Novardok explains that when it comes to Jewish outreach, one will only be successful if the other party is open and prepared to hear what one has to say. Before the showdown between the true prophet, Elijah, and the prophets of the idol baal at Mount Carmel, Elijah first rebuked the Jews (Melachim 1 18:21), “how much longer will you continue straddling both sides of the fence?” Even though he was about to perform open miracles which would result in a tremendous sanctification of Hashem’s name, he knew that if the people weren’t in the right mindset then his efforts would be in vain. He therefore prepared the people to be influenced by delivering words of chastisement. Similarly, Rabbi Shlomo Margolis explains that Moses knew that the entire world heard of the miraculous events of the splitting of the Reed Sea and the giving of the Torah. He recognized that if Yisro wasn’t inspired to come on his own, that would be an indication that he wasn’t open and prepared to be influenced, and there would unfortunately be no purpose in sending for him.

2) Q: The Arizal, one of the greatest mystics of all time, writes in the name of the Holy Zohar that Moses was a gilgul (reincarnation) of Hevel (Abel), and Yisro was a gilgul of Cain. As all mystical teachings are alluded to in the actual text, where is this fascinating fact hinted to?

A: Rav Chaim Vital notes that this is hinted to by the letters beginning the words אני חתנך יתרו – I am your father-in-law Yisro – which spell the word אחי – my brother. Part of Yisro’s mission in this world was to atone for the sin of Cain in killing Hevel, which he did in several ways. Firstly, he gave his daughter in marriage to a gilgul of Hevel, Moses, which allowed Hevel the descendants which were denied him through his murder (see Bereishis 4:10). The sacrifice brought by Cain did not find favor in Hashem’s eyes (Bereishis 4:5), so Yisro corrected this by bringing proper sacrifices to Hashem (18:12), which were enjoyed not just by him but by Aaron and the elders of the generation. Finally, the Chida writes that while the Torah doesn’t recount the final conversation between Cain and Hevel when they were in the field prior to the murder, the Targum Yonason ben Uziel (Bereishis 4:8) records that a part of it was Cain’s blasphemous claim that there is no Divine judge or process of judgment regarding our actions in this world. He rectified this by suggesting to Moses (18:19-23) the concept of establishing a proper system of courts and judges!

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Parsha Summary

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‘Yisro’

Parsha Perspectives

ויסעו מרפידים ויבאו מדבר סיני…ויחן שם ישראל נגד ההר

They journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the Wilderness; and Israel encamped there, opposite the mountain. (Exodus 19:2)

Partner Encounters

Partner Talk

Rushing in with the Angels

Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

Parsha Summary

Parsha Perspectives

ויקח יתרו חתן משה את צפרה אשת משה אחר שלוחיה ואת שני בניה אשר שם האחד גרשם כי אמר גר הייתי בארץ נכריה ושם האחד אליעזר כי א-לקי אבי בעזרי ויצלני מחרב פרעה

Parsha Talking Points

1. THE RECOUNT

2. THE MAJORS VS. THE MINORS

3. ACTING HONORABLY

Partner Talk

IN THE BEGINNING

Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

Parsha Summary

Parsha Perspectives

וישמע יתרו כהן מדין חתן משה את כל אשר עשה אלקים למשה ולישראל עמו כי הוציא הי את ישראל ממצרים

“Now Moses’ father in law, Jethro, the chieftain of Midian, heard all that G-d had done for Moses and for Israel, His people that the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 18:1)

Parsha Talking Points

1. FOR THE LOVE OF IN-LAWS

2. A NATION OF PROPHETS

3. TRADING SPACES

Partner Talk

MOSES VS. ABRAHAM

Soul Talk

Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

Parsha Summary

Parsha Perspectives

וישמע יתרו

“And Jethro heard.” (Exodus 18:1)

Parsha Talking Points

1. HAPPY FOR YOU

2. NOT SO SMART AFTER ALL

3. EASY DOES IT

Partner Talk

BLUEPRINT

Soul Talk

Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

Hey I Never Knew That

Amazing Insights About the Weekly Parsha

Parsha Summary

Parsha Perspectives

וישמע יתרו

“And Yisro heard” (Exodus 18:1)

Parsha Talking Points

1. MEASURE FOR MEASURE

2. THE MANDATE OF JEWISH UNITY

3. THE POTENTIAL TO BE LEADERS

Partner Talk

Table Talk

FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE

Hey I Never Knew That

Amazing Insights About the Weekly Parsha

Parsha Summary

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