Tag: Parashat Yitro

The Torah reading Yitro (Jethro) covers Exodus 18:1-20:23.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 18–20: Ten Commandments reveal the Creator and Savior of Israel and the world

At Mt. Sinai, God made trespassing a death penalty offense. ““You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. ‘No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”” (Exodus 19:12–13 NAS95) Photo by onixxino via Creative Commons License from Freeimages.com

Much of the world knows that happened in Egypt long ago, when the Holy One of Israel turned slaves into victors through 10 devastating plagues and the Red Sea crossing. And at the time, many in the surrounding Ancient Near East knew about it, too, even without the benefit of social media or CNN.

In Torah reading יתרו Yitro (Exodus 18:1–20:23)​, we learn that Yitro (Jethro) wanted the inside scoop, the real story on this victory over a superpower of the time, so he took his daughter and grandsons and tracked Moses down in the desert of Midian. Israel also got the inside scoop on Who their Savior was, through the 10 Commandments. But they and we must learn to treat the Holy One with respect.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 18:1–20:23: Like Father, like Son

Jethro Advising Moses" by Jan van Bronchorst
Jan van Bronchorst, "Jethro Advising Moses," Painting, Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Public domain (U.S.) via Wikimedia Commons, 1659.

At Mt. Sinai, the Creator testified what “love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength” really means. In the Torah reading יתרו Yitro (Genesis 18:1-20:23), we explore how Heaven gives us different tasks and different means to fulfill those duties.Heaven gives us different tasks and different means to fulfill those duties. These are not only money but also talents.