Parshas Yisro 5765

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 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 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 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 are alluded to in these ten. The ten include mitzvos between man and G-d, and 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.

"I am the L-rd your G-d who has taken you out of Egypt..." (Ex. 20:2)

A Jew came to Rav Yisrael of Ruzhyn to pour out his woes. The Rebbe comforted him that he must believe G-d would help.

"Fine," the man answered, "But why should I do until He helps me?"

"Don't worry," the Ruzhyner assured him, "Until He helps, G-d will also help!"

It is not sufficient to merely believe in G-d's assistance in one's mind. A person must believe in one's heart that G-d assists even before he actually witnesses it.

Did You Know...

There is a mitzvah to light at least two candles each week before Shabbos. Some add an additional candle for each child. This mitzvah was given especially to the woman, although if a man lives alone he must light for himself. Nevertheless, it is proper that a husband help his wife prepare the candles for lighting. Some have the custom that the husband lights the candles and then extinguishes them, thus making them easier to light. The custom that a groom buys his bride candlesticks is also for the same reason, to allow him a part in the Shabbos candles. If a woman forgot to light candles one week, she should light an additional candle each week, for the rest of her life.