Torah Portion

An Unexpected Source
Gives Words Of Advice

refuge for Moses when he fled from
Pharaoh, but he welcomed him into his
home and family. Now, in this portion,
Jethro adds to his original kindness by a
profound gesture of encouragement and
support for his son-in-law and the
Israelites.
The second role of the vav may not
hen the Torah portion
be as well-known to readers. It is (-Ailed
that contains the Ten
"converse" because it changes the tenses
Commandments arrives
in Hebrew grammar (verbs written in
every year in our reading
the past tense must be understood in the
cycle, I am always asked to. comment
future, and vice versa). Jethro observed
on the curious fact that the nature of
that Moses had patterned his leadership
this sedra doesn't reflect the name of
style after the Egyptian
God. nor of Moses, nor
Pharaoh, trusting little in the
Israel. Rather, it is titled
ability
of the former slaves to
Jethro, referring to Moses'
govern
themselves. Moses
father-in-law, a Midianite
took
most
of the responsibili-
priest. He was a fascinating
ty
on
his
own
shoulders.
character to be sure, but wor-
Jethro
kindly
pointed
out that
thy of this honor? It's an
no
one
mancould
bear
the
honor not given anywhere in
burden of leadership on his
the Torah, even to Moses.
own. He suggested that
Throughout the years, I
Moses delegate authority,
have collected many lessons
RABBI
carefully
choosing representa-
about this matter, from the
tives
who
would be reverent,
NORMAN
T.
sages of old to the teachers of
honest
and
just. He taught
ROMAN
our own age. One of the most
Moses
a
unique
form of
Special
to
the
insightful comes from the
democracy, a major change in
Jewish News
essays of Rabbi Mordecai
tense and tone from the past.
Schultz of the Hebrew
Finally,
Dr. Schultz reminds
Theological College.
us
that
the
third
role
of the Hebrew let-
Jethro was an unusual man. He is
ter vav is to serve as a conjunction, unit-
distinguished in the Torah as being the
ing and holding together different parts
only gentile friend of the Israelites after
of a sentence. Jethro reunited Moses
the exodus from Egypt. According to at
with his wife Tzipora and their children,
least one rabbi, Jethro even converted to
at the very outset of their journey
Judaism (referring to Exodus 18:11,
through the wilderness. Jethro reminded
where he says, "Now I know that the
Moses that before he could teach the
Lord is great, above all other gods");
people
of their God and the Torah, he
and, along with Ruth, he serves as a role
had
to
have
family unity and harmony.
model for those who willingly join our
At
Mt.
Sinai,
the Jewish people were
faith community.
united
as
one
family, with one mind,
The rabbis point out that Jethro's
tuned
to
accepting
God's word.
name was actually changed. His name
We
would
not
have
these lessons,
was originally Yeter, but when it was rec-
preparing
us
to
this
day
for accepting
ognized that he was a man of sincerity
the
Ten
Commandments,
if it were not
and good deeds, another letter was
for
Jethro.
He
challenged
us
to add to
added to his name: the letter vay. He
the
good
deeds
of
the
past,
to
welcome
was forever known in Hebrew as Yitro.
change
and
to
always
seek
unity
for our
Thus, he joined with Abraham, Sarah,
Jewish family. ❑
Joshua and even Israel, whose names
were also changed after their perfor-
mance of good deeds or their acceptance
of God's covenant. But the choice of the
letter vav for Yitro's name change is what
What lessons do we learn about
intrigued Rabbi Schultz, and he found
three distinct lessons to teach us in
our Jewish community from those
who have chosen to join us from
reviewing the grammatical role of that
symbol.
other faiths and backgrounds? Is
change always good? What efforts
The first function of this letter, as
can we make to enhance Jewish .
most of us know, is to add: the word
and or, as Rashi terms it here, adds to
unity? What actions can we take
to increase harmony among the
the past. Jethro not only provided a
members
of our own family?
Norman Roman is rabbi of Temple Kol
Ami.

Shabbat Yitro:
Exodus 18:1-20:23;
Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6

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