New Vistas - Parshat Yitro

New Vistas - Parshat Yitro

In this week's Torah portion we are introduced to Yitro, the father-in-law of Moshe. Yitro (Jethro) had been an important minister, distinguished personality and advisor to Pharaoh. His daughter Tziporah had married Moshe in Midian and had remained there with her children while Moshe went on his mission to free his brethren. 

The Torah states (Exodus 18:5) "Vayavo Yitro Choten Moshe, U'Banav V'Ishto El Moshe El Hamidbar - Jethro, the father-in-law of Moshe, came to Moshe with his sons and wife , to the wilderness."

Rashi commentary (France 1040-1105) explains that notwithstanding Yitro's wealth and affluence in Midian, he chose to join the Jewish people in the wilderness, a place where life was not easy. Yitro was de-facto the first one to convert to Judaism in the Torah. He left everything behind to join Judaism. The Talmud (Zevachim 116a) offers differing opinions as to exactly when it was that Yitro arrived and what it was that inspired him to do so. One opinion stated is, that he arrived before the giving of the Torah inspired by the war with Amalek and the Exodus, while another opinion is that he was inspired by the Ten Commandments and their transformational teachings.

Regardless, of what inspired him, Yitro was a truly unique man. He was not only special because of his intellect and practical knowledge, but it was much more than that. We see later on in this portion, how his groundbreaking idea of setting up a judicial system, became the basis for all court systems and Bet Din (Rabbinical Courts) to this very day. He is so unique because he was willing to embrace new possibilities and vistas and challenge himself. To leave your home and job and everything you know, and go to the Midbar (wilderness) to start anew, is something that takes much courage and fortitude, not to mention pure guts.

One of the most beautiful and inspiring things about children is their ability to wake up each day and embrace it, without the baggage of the previous one. Even if they misbehave, fail, or are given a consequence for their behavior, they bounce back so quickly, and move on. Children go about their lives with such innocence and adaptability, that it leaves us, the adults just shaking our heads. We have not even processed the consequence that we may have given our students or children, and they have already moved on, leaving us behind in the dust shaking our heads.

Not so with adults. We hold on to grudges and baggage, sometimes for decades. We feel extreme shame, fear, judgement, and the inability to let go and move on. Very often, that is what is holding us back from reaching our full potential. 

Yitro was an incredibly special person, because he was willing to challenge himself. He was willing to leave everything behind for the truth. He was willing to explore new vistas without getting bogged down by his own history. Was it easy? I am certain that it was not. But Yitro embraced his destiny and earned a place and a name in our holy Torah. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Y. Marrus