Parshas Yisro 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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Yisro, Moshe’s father-in-law, was a priest in Midian. He was a seeker of truth, and had experimented with all the known religions of the time. Like all the other nations of the time, he too heard about all the wonders G-d had performed for the Jewish people when they left Egypt. He was most impressed with the precision of G-d’s retribution towards the Egyptians, and how they had been repaid measure for measure for all their sins. However, unlike the other nations, he decided to act upon his inspiration and join the Jewish people.

Shortly thereafter, Yisro saw the people waiting to hear Moshe’s rulings and judgment, from early morning until night. Yisro felt it was not respectful for the people to have to wait all day to have their questions answered. Furthermore, he was concerned that Moshe would get worn out. He suggested to Moshe that they set up a different system, where there would be lower courts trained, where people could present their minor disputes and queries. Moshe heeded his father-in-law’s advice.

This was a lesson in truth, that even the advice of a newcomer to the community, could be accepted by the leader without any reservations. An honest criticism or suggestion must be listened to, regardless of its source. The Talmud comments that a wise person is one who learns from everybody.

This portion also describes the Revelation at Sinai. After G-d offered the all nations His Torah, only the Jewish people answered in unison “We will do and we will hear.” They agreed to accept all of G-d’s commandments, even before hearing what they were. This act of faith on their part earned the Jewish people an eternal status of chosenness.

The world came to a standstill as G-d communicated His commandments to the people. The Rabbis say that only the first two commandments were heard directly from G-d. After the first two, the nation was frightened they would not be able to bear hearing the rest directly from G-d, and Moshe relayed the remaining commandments to them.

After the Revelation, Moshe climbed to the top of the mountain for forty days where G-d taught him the rest of the commandments and all their details.

Although the Ten Commandments were only a sampling of the 613 mitzvos in the Torah, the commentaries explain that all the commandments are alluded to in these ten. Besides the commandments themselves, though, the experience of Revelation at Mount Sinai left an indelible mark upon World History.

"Do not covet the house of your neighbor." (Ex. 20:14)

Ibn Ezra asks how is it possible to control one’s emotions and overcome jealousy. He explains with an example, that a peasant would never covet the king’s daughter as a wife. He knows that the princess was not intended for a peasant, and that it is outside the realm of possibility. Similarly a person should realize that another person’s property was not intended for him, and is outside the realm of possibility, so to say.

Rav Meir Chodosh would cite the example a little differently. The prince does not covet the peasant’s daughter either, because her lifestyle is too coarse for him and that he is too refined for her. Similarly, a person should realize that his spiritual nature is too refined to covet material possessions, and that he should be satisfied with what he has.

Did You Know...

A person is obligated to honor his or her parents-in-law, although not to the same extent that one is obligated towards one’s own parents. This obligation includes such things as rising in their honor and visiting them occasionally. If one’s parents-in-law are needy and he is capable, he is obligated to assist them financially.

Although the laws of mourning are primarily applicable to one’s closest relatives (parents, spouse, siblings, and children), if one’s parents-in-law pass away, some of the laws also apply, such as not attending a wedding or other joyous occasion during the shiva (the seven days of mourning following burial).