Parashat Yisro

Revision as of 15:08, 19 January 2014

Parshas Yisro is the fifth parsha in the Book of Shemos and the 5th week of Shovavim. It contains 72 pesukim. For the Haftora; Yishayahu's vision of the heavenly throne is read, Ashkanazim continue to read Yishayah's prophecy to Achaz during the attack from the kingdoms of Yisroel and Aram.

Yisro's Arrival

Yisro hears of the miracles Hashem performed for Jews and sets out with his daughter Tzipora, the wife of Moshe and their two boys to join the Jews in the desert. Informed of his arrival Moshe goes out to great Yitro and informs him of Hashem's miracles. Yisro is joyous from the news and blesses Hashem, then offers sacrifices to Him. Aharon and the Elders eat a feast with Yisro while Moshe attends their needs.

The Decision

Yitro hears all the miracles that Hashem performed for the Jews, especially the splitting of the sea, the battle with Amelek, the Manna, the Well and primarily how Hashem took them out of Egypt. He had also been told by Tziporah how Moshe was saved from near death by a serpent like angle after procrastinating to circumcise Eliezer. Yitro takes his daughter Tzipora, Moshe's wife and her two sons Gershom and Eliezer and travels to Moshe who is encamped with the Jewish Nation by Mount Sini. Tzipora and the two kids had originally left Midyon with Moshe. When on route they met Aharon, he rebuked his brother for bringing more people to suffer in the servitude of Egypt and Moshe sent them back to Yisro's home. Gershom was named after Moshe's stature as a foreigner in a strange land and Eliezer was named in commemoration of Hashem saving him from the sward of Pharaoh's executioner by having his neck harden to a state of marble, after the snitching of Dassan and Aviram.

Originally while living in Midyon Moshe had credited his stature to Yisro. Now Yisro prided himself as being the father-in-law of Moshe. Yitro led a very physically comfortable life in Midyon yet he forfeited it and for the sake of hearing the teachings of the Torah and traveled to live in the barren wilderness.

The Welcoming

From outside the camp Yisro noticed one of the tents had a cloud hovering above it, he immediately knew this was the tent of Moshe. Yitro sends a messenger to Moshe announcing their arrival and requesting the Moshe come out in his honor. If Yisro was not enough of a reason then Moshe should come out in honor of his wife, if that was not enough then he should do so for his two children.

Moshe goes out to great them and is followed by Aharon who in-turn is followed by the Seventy Elders. Everyone who saw this assemblage joined the crowed, giving Yisro great honor. Moshe kisses, hugs and welcomes his father in law. In order to draw Yisro close to the Torah, Moshe informs him all that Hashem did to Pharaoh and the Egyptians and about the travails of the sea and Amelek. Yisro is happy about the miracles of the Manna, the well and primarily regarding salvation of the Jews. Having in the past been part of the Egyptian society, Yitro was well aware of their toughness and the hardness of Pharoah himself. He also know that to that day no slave had ever manged to escape from Egypt due to physical deterrences and occult spells. Yet at the same time Yisro's body felt as if it was being pricked by needles at the news of the Egyptians demise since he himself was a gentile.

Yisro proceeds to bless Hashem, saying he now fully recognizes his greatness. Yisro was knowledgeable in all the pagan deities that existed and had formerly tried worshiping them all, his recognition of Hashem's complete supremacy was an important thing. Having taken part in the original conference regarding the drowning of the Jewish male new born, Yisro was very impressed that the Egyptians had been punished in the same exact method of death through water.

The Feast

Yitro then offers a sacrifices to Hashem including an Olah that was completely burnt and Shilomim where parts of the sacrifice were eaten. Aharon and the elders come to eat with Yitro while Moshe served and attended to all their needs. Like all other feasts attended by Torah scholars, participating in it was equivalent to enjoying the glory of the Shchina.

Yisro's Advice

The day following Yom Kipor, Moshe began to judge the nation. People would come to him from the morning to the night. Yitro sees this and rebukes him, saying it is not a good system and it will cause him to wither. He then advises him to appoint powerful, truthful men who fear Hashem and despise bribers as sub officers under him. There would be four ranks; officers over ten, officers of fifty, officers of one hundred and officers of one thousand. They will judge the smaller cases and the larger cases they will pass up until it reaches Moshe himself. Moshe listens to the advice of Yisro and appoints officers creating the advised system of national support. After this Moshe sends Yisro back home to Midyon.

Perpetration to Receive Torah

First Ascent

On Rosh Chodesh Sivan around two and a half months after leaving Egypt, the Jews arrive in the Sinai desert and camp across from Mount Sinai. Moshe ascends the mountain and Hashem commands him to relate to the women and men of Israel, reminding them what he did to Egypt and how he carried them on eagle wings. If the Jews now agree to follow Him then they will serve as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Moshe descends and relates this message to the Jewish elders. The entire nation answers they are willing to commit to whatever Hashem wishes even before they hear the actual request.

Second Ascent

Moshe ascends a second time and gives the answer to Hashem Who then informs him that he will speak the commandments to him in the thickness of the cloud so the Jews will overhear their conversation and will believe in Moshe as well.

Third Ascent

Moshe ascends a third time and petitions for the request of the Jews. Hashem tells him to go purify the nation and be prepared for the giving of the Torah on the third day. Preparation will include a washing of the garments and the marking of an uncrossable boundary around Mount Sinai. A warning is then given that anyone who tries to climb the mountain before the ending trumpet sounds will get thrown down and stoned, regardless of whether they are human of animal they will not live.

Moshe descends the mountain and purifies the Jews having them wash their garments. He also warns them not to have marital relationships for the following three days.

Giving of the Torah

On the third day in the morning there were sounds and thunder and a heavy cloud descended upon Mount Sinai. A powerful shofar blew and the Jews in the camp were terrified. Moshe leads the Jews out of the camp towards Hashem and has them stand at the foot of the mountain. Hashem descends upon Mount Sinai in fire causing it to smoke and quiver with fear. Moshe ascends to the top of the mountain. Hashem tell Moshe to descend and warn the Jews not to approach the mountain as that can lead to the death of many. Even the first born who still served as priests at that point are warned not to approach. Moshe replies that the warning is unnecessary since he had previously warned them regarding this. Hashem insists on the additional warning and Moshe descends and warns the Jews.

The Ten Commandments

The sound of the shofar becomes louder and louder, Moshe speaks and Hahsem replies in a loud voice. Hashem then speaks the ten commandments.

1. I am Hashem that took you out of the servitude of Egypt.
2. Do not serve other gods and do not create any idol or pagan image.
3. Do not mention the name of Hashem for no reason.
4. Remember to sanctify the Shabbat.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not serve as a false witness against your friend
10. Do not envy all that belongs to your friend

The entire nation sees the sounds, the fire, the blow of the shofar and the smoking mountain, they step back and stand in the distance. They then tell Moshe to serve as in intermediary as they fear death if Hashem continues to speak. Moshe informs them that Hashem spoke to test them and instill fear upon them so they do not sin. The Nation stands distant and Moshe enters the fog where Hashem is.

The Nine Laws

Hashem then gives over nine additional laws to Moshe.

1. It is forbidden to create and image of any celestial entity.
2. It is forbidden to create the Kiruvim of the Mishkan out of silver.
3. It is forbidden to create more then the instructed two Kiruvim
4. It is forbidden to create Kiruvim for Synagogues
5. To create an alter which will rest on the actual ground and will be filled with dirt each time it is set up at a new encampment.
6. Sacrifices are to be slaughtered alongside the alter.
7. It is permissible to pronounce the Tetragrammaton in the Temple.
8. It is forbidden to carve and shape the stones of the alter with metal tools.
9. Ascending to the top of the alter must be done through the use of a ramp and not stairs.