Gaea's

torah

Parshat Yitro describes Yitro hearing of the travels and trials of the Jews, Yitro being moved to convert, coming to Moshe for the conversion, and then leaving Moshe. If Yitro was so moved, why would he ever leave a situation where he’s surrounded by G-d, clouds, heavenly food, and Moshe as a teacher? And how could Moshe, as a leader, allow Yitro to just leave the camp? After all, he was the only Jew NOT to have witnessed the giving of the Torah!Rabbi Leibowitz asked this question in Majesty of Man, and answers by explaining that Yitro was SO moved by G-d, the Torah and the Jews that he felt that he had to go back to his home to try to convert his family and friends. Yitro was willing to give up being surrounded by what he obviously believed in and WANTED to be around, just for the sake of others! If this was the determination of someone that had no responsibilities toward the people he was trying to help, how much more determination should we demonstrate when we actually HAVE a responsibility to help one another!? The Parsha is named after Yitro because he was willing to change his life for Judaism. He was so proud of it that he didn’t hide his Judaism, but went out and told others how beautiful it was. If we expressed the Yitro that we undoubtedly have within us…

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“Hatred is like acid. It does more harm to the container in which it is stored than to the object on which it is poured.” — Ann Landers

Related posts:

1. Dvar for Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23)
2. Dvar for Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
3. Dvar for Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)
4. Dvar for Vayakhel/Pekudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38)
5. Dvar for Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
6. Dvar for Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
7. Dvar for Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)
8. Dvar for Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16)
9. Dvar for Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)
10. Dvar for Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
11. Dvar for Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
12. Dvar for Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:34)
13. Dvar for Vaeira (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
14. Dvar for Vaetchanan (Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11)
15. Dvar for Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19)
16. Dvar for Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10)
17. Dvar for Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
18. Dvar for Netzavim-Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30)
19. Dvar for Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18)
20. Dvar for Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)