by Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant
In last week’s Torah Parsha (BESHLACH), we read about how the Israelites celebrated with song, to express their deep gratitude to God, for delivering them from the enslavement and bondage, which they experienced in Egypt, under the rule of the Pharaoh. At the beginning of this week’s Torah Parsha (YITRO), the Israelites find themselves in a very dark place. It is estimated that approximately 600,000 people crossed the Red Sea, and encamped individually in the wilderness. They were unsettled, discontented, and unable to cope with their new freedom. Each and every one of them perceived that he or she was alone, with an undetermined and unpredictable future.
A new character is introduced in this week’s Parsha: Yitro (i.e. Jethro), the father of Zipporah, Moses’ wife. Upon meeting Moses, he “rejoiced over all the kindness that the Eternal had shown to the Israelites…” (1). “Blessed be the God, who delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, and your people from under the hand of the Egyptians” (2). The next day, Yitro observed the Israelites, bewildered, and aimlessly roaming through the wilderness. He went to visit Moses, who was over-tired and over-worked. Yitro decided to give his son-in-law some much needed advice. He suggested that Moses establish a hierarchy of senior level individuals, who can aid Moses in making decisions; a group of judges to settle disputes; and, empowerment to the people to manage the affairs of their own families (3). Moses agrees, and implements this infrastructure, in accordance with Yitro’s instructions. Three weeks pass, during which time the Israelites favorably adjust to this new system of governance.
Chapter 19 of Exodus begins with an amazing reversal in the demeanor and behavior of the Israelites. “When they journeyed, they were divided, whereas when they encamped, they were one” (4). When the Israelites became united, with a common purpose, something happened, which had never occurred before in the Torah: God decided to appear before all of His people.
First God spoke alone to Moses at Mount Sinai, three days before he spoke to the Israelites: “So shall you say to the house of Jacob and to the sons of Israel, if you obey Me and keep my covenant, you shall be to Me a kingdom of princes and a holy nation” (5). Moses summoned the elders, and placed before them the words, the Lord had commanded. The people replied in unison: “All that the Lord has spoken we shall do” (6).
The Israelites prepared themselves for this extraordinary and astonishing event: hearing directly the Words of their God. In three days, they stood at the bottom of the mountain, in formation, as dictated by Moses. The people became frightened as they witnessed thick smoke emerging before them, and the shofar sounding increasingly louder. Nevertheless, they stood their ground, as they were instructed. Each and every one realized that for them to meet their God, Who is One, the people must become one, themselves.
It was on this day, at this time, that God presented the Ten Commandments to His people. Each of these Commandments represents a code of ethics, in terms of our individual relationship with God, and our relationships with others. The notion that we should believe in one God, refrain from worshipping idols, or take God’s name in vain, honor our parents, observe Shabbat, refuse to murder, steal, commit adultery, wrongly judge another (‘bear false witness’), or covet another’s property are separate admonitions, based on the same foundation: each individual, bound as one, contributing our unique talents to ensure a sense of unity of purpose; and to reach out to others with kindness and sincere compassion, in order that this network is never broken. “A relationship with God is built through weaving a relationship with each other” (7).
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Exodus (18:9)
(2) Exodus (18:10)
(3) Exodus (18:21)
(4) “Present At Sinai” (Jewish Publication Society) Page 52
(5) Exodus (19:5-6)
(6) Exodus (19:8)
(7) The Torah: A Modern Commentary