Parshas Yisro
This week’s Parsha is called Parshas Yisro. In this week’s Parsha Moses’ father-in-law named Yisro, (hence the Parsha’s title) leaves his home of Midyan join up with Moses. He told Moses that he heard of all of the wonders that Hashem preformed and Yisro realized that Hashem is the emes (truth). It is said about Yisro that he studied all the different religions and in the end he knew that Hashem had to be the emes. So, when the B’nai Yisroel (Jewish people) were traveling in the desert Moses’ father-in-law traveled with them for a period of time and then went back home to his family in Midyan.
While Yisro was traveling with them he observed Moses and felt “it was not good” the way Moses would have lines of yidden (Jews) come be judged all day until very late at night. So Yisro advised Moses that he would become very weary if he continued to do this. He gave him explicit instructions on how to appoint and train judges to reduce the workload for Moses. Moses being the greatest leader in all of Jewish history, and I’m sure being an amazing son-in-law, listened to his father-in-law and set up a system of judges. Now only the most difficult cases would be brought to Moses. In accordance with Yisro’s instruction Moses appointed people who had the following character traits: G-d fearing, men of truth, despised money, and had the means.
Continuing their journey Hashem takes the B’nai Yisroel to Har Sinai (Mount Sinai) where He will give the Torah to us. Before Hashem gave the Aseres HaDibros (the Ten Commandments) He asked them one last time if they were willing to accept them and they responded just two words, “Na’aseh V’Nishmah” -We will do and we will listen! Because they responded the way they did it says that angels came down from the shamayim, (heaven) and placed two crowns on their heads (one crown for each word.) Hashem began to give over the Aseres HaDibros and after the second commandment the B’nai Yisroel pleaded with Moses that Hashem tell him instead and he relate the 10 Commandments instead of getting it straight from the “mouth” of Hashem because it says that when Hashem was speaking His words and the experience was so powerful that the B’nai Yisroel were thrown back and they nearly died from the intensity. And so it was. Here is an abbreviated form of the Asres HaDibros:
1. Believe in Hashem that took
the Jewish people out of Egypt. 6. Do not murder.
2. There is no other G-d then Hashem. 7. Do not be an adulterer.
3. Do not say G-d’s name in vain. 8. Do not kidnap/steal.
4. Honor the Shabbos. 9. Do not be a false witness.
5. Honor your father and mother. 10. Do not desire what is not yours.
The Ten Commandments are divided into 2 halves. The first five dealt with the relationship between man and G-d. The second five were between man and his fellow man.
Moses was zocheh (of the merit) to learn directly from Ha’kodesh Borchu (The Holy One Blessed is He) and then turned around and learned from the advice of his father-in-law who was a Ger (convert). We learn from a Mishna in Pirkei Avos that the truly wise are those who learn from everyone. May we all learn to be like Moses and be more concerned with listening and learning than speaking out all the time - Amen!
While Yisro was traveling with them he observed Moses and felt “it was not good” the way Moses would have lines of yidden (Jews) come be judged all day until very late at night. So Yisro advised Moses that he would become very weary if he continued to do this. He gave him explicit instructions on how to appoint and train judges to reduce the workload for Moses. Moses being the greatest leader in all of Jewish history, and I’m sure being an amazing son-in-law, listened to his father-in-law and set up a system of judges. Now only the most difficult cases would be brought to Moses. In accordance with Yisro’s instruction Moses appointed people who had the following character traits: G-d fearing, men of truth, despised money, and had the means.
Continuing their journey Hashem takes the B’nai Yisroel to Har Sinai (Mount Sinai) where He will give the Torah to us. Before Hashem gave the Aseres HaDibros (the Ten Commandments) He asked them one last time if they were willing to accept them and they responded just two words, “Na’aseh V’Nishmah” -We will do and we will listen! Because they responded the way they did it says that angels came down from the shamayim, (heaven) and placed two crowns on their heads (one crown for each word.) Hashem began to give over the Aseres HaDibros and after the second commandment the B’nai Yisroel pleaded with Moses that Hashem tell him instead and he relate the 10 Commandments instead of getting it straight from the “mouth” of Hashem because it says that when Hashem was speaking His words and the experience was so powerful that the B’nai Yisroel were thrown back and they nearly died from the intensity. And so it was. Here is an abbreviated form of the Asres HaDibros:
1. Believe in Hashem that took
the Jewish people out of Egypt. 6. Do not murder.
2. There is no other G-d then Hashem. 7. Do not be an adulterer.
3. Do not say G-d’s name in vain. 8. Do not kidnap/steal.
4. Honor the Shabbos. 9. Do not be a false witness.
5. Honor your father and mother. 10. Do not desire what is not yours.
The Ten Commandments are divided into 2 halves. The first five dealt with the relationship between man and G-d. The second five were between man and his fellow man.
Moses was zocheh (of the merit) to learn directly from Ha’kodesh Borchu (The Holy One Blessed is He) and then turned around and learned from the advice of his father-in-law who was a Ger (convert). We learn from a Mishna in Pirkei Avos that the truly wise are those who learn from everyone. May we all learn to be like Moses and be more concerned with listening and learning than speaking out all the time - Amen!
HAVE A GREAT SHABBOS AND WEEKEND!
Stay tuned for next week’s Parsha called, Parshas Mishpatim as we will discuss many different laws that Moses taught following the Aseres HaDibros!
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