Parshas Yisro 5767

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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All of the nations in the world heard about the wondrous miracles that G-d had performed for the Jewish people during the Exodus. Yet none of these nations were inspired to make any changes as a result of what they had heard.

Yisro was Moshe’s father-in-law. He was a seeker of truth, and as such had experimented with all the known religions of the time. Upon hearing about the Exodus from Egypt and how the Egyptians had been repaid measure for measure, he was impressed by the precision and truth, and decided to join the Jewish people.

The Torah relates how 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 type of system, with lower courts where people could present their minor disputes and queries, and higher courts for the more difficult cases. Moshe asked G-d and was instructed to heed his father-in-law’s advice. This incident also portrays the truth of Judaism, because even the advice of a newcomer could be heeded.

Seven weeks after the Exodus, the Jews experienced the Revelation at Mount Sinai. G-d offered all the nations His Torah, but only the Jewish people answered in unison “We will do and we will hear,” thereby putting their full trust in G-d. Moshe helped prepare the people for three days in order for them to be able to receive the word of G-d.

G-d gave the Torah at Mount Sinai amidst thunder, lightning and the sounding of the Shofar. The world came to a standstill as G-d communicated the Ten Commandments to the people.

Although the Ten Commandments were only a sampling of the six hundred and thirteen mitzvos in the Torah, the commentaries explain that all the commandments have their origins in these ten. The ten include mitzvos between man and G-d, and those between man and man; mitzvos associated with thought, speech, and deed.

After the commandments were given, Moshe himself climbed to the top of the mountain to receive all of the mitzvos and their details. He was to remain there for forty days. These mitzvos would be instructed to the Jewish people throughout the forty years in the desert.

G-d also dictated all of the Torah until this point to Moshe, who then transcribed it. The remainder of the Torah was transcribed throughout the forty-year journey in the Sinai desert.

“G-d spoke all these statements...” (Ex. 20:1)

A student suggested an original Torah insight to Rav Mordechai Shulman which was somewhat illogical. Rav Shulman asked the young man, “From where did you get such an idea?”

The student proudly replied, “I didn’t find it in any book, it’s my own.”

Rav Shulman smiled. “You didn’t understand what I meant. G-d gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai, and each Jew received his own portion. However, the Torah we received was a Torah of truth. An illogical insight could not have originated from Mount Sinai, and that’s why I asked where you got such an idea.”

Did You Know...

A child may not call a parent by his or her first name. There are different opinions whether the parent may even grant permission for the child to use his or her first name. If necessary, however, one may use a parent’s name by adding a respectful title, such as “Mr.”, Dr.”, or even “My father, So-and-So”.

If one is asked about his father’s name to be called to the Torah, he should say “Reb So-and-So”. If one calls his father up to the Torah he should say “Ya’amod Avi Mori (My father and teacher should rise)".

One may write a parent’s name without any other titles.