From TorahVort.com
Yitro
This week’s reading introduces us to the Ten commandments and a man whom we haven’t heard about since parshat Shemot, Yisro. The Parshah actually starts off relating Moshe’s father in law, Yisro, how he left the land of Midiyan and joined the Jewish nation, converting by circumcising himself and the immersion in the Mikveh (Ritual bath). In fact, due to his choice, choosing Judaism, despite his neighbours, the Amalakites went into war against the Jews at the end of last weeks reading, proved how much faith Yisro had in the Jewish religion and his total belief in Hashem. Yisro brought with him, his daughter Tzipporah and his grand children (Moshe’s children) Eliezer and Gershon. Yisro converted for the sake of Heaven and became a G-d fearing Jew, unlike the ‘Eiruv Rav’ who had converted deceitfully and went on to encourage the making of the Golden Calf. There were many great converts throughout biblical history, including, Batya the daughter of Pharaoh (who merited to go to Gan Eden alive), Rachav who was a cannanite harlot who converted and assisted the Jewish people into entering the land of Canaan which is related in the book of Joshua, the prophet Obadiah descended from Eisav, also one of the most famous converts is a man of the name Onkelas, who was from Roman origin. The convert is regarded very highly in Jewish law, Hashem states that he has four children, they are, the orphan, poor person, Levite and also a convert! We should all respect anyone that has converted to Judaism. Yisro, despite being brought up in a life of idolatry, worshipping many idols in his past, gave it all up. After converting and going through the circumcision process, he made a feast celebrating his conversion. Despite him going through the pain of the Brit Mila and it being his feast, he stood up and ran around serving all the guests like a proper righteous man, this reminds me of my cousin in London, after his baby son’s circumcision, despite it being his party and event, he was the man serving all the guests, taking care of everybody. These people teach us a lesson, one should always seek to do kindness all the time, even if it may be during there own events, as these are the truly reighous people. We also see Joshua, who was Moshe’s prime student, became the leader of the Jewish nation later on, not because he was the most learned of all Moshe’s students, it was because he treated all mitzvahs importantly and was always doing the tasks such as serving everyone food, stacking up tables and chairs at the end of services and always honouring his Rebbe, Moshe. Yisro then gave crucial advice to Moshe, advising him on how to institute court systems, thus saving Moshe and the Jews a lot of time later on and giving them a proper court structure. Yisro was so great an entire parshah was named after him!! The reading then continues to the event of the ’10 commandments.’ After spending more than a month in the wilderness, the Jews encamped around Mount Sinai and accepted the Torah! Mount Sinai was chosen as the mountain for the Torah to be put on as it was the most ‘humblest’ of all mountains, teaching that Hashem loves humility!! The first commandment related how to believe in Hashem’s existence and providence. The second commandment, tells us not to have ‘other G-d’s.’ The third teaches us not to pronounce Hashems name in vain. The forth commandment, orders us to observe Shabbat, specifically by not doing any of the 39 Melachot which the Jews did in the Tabernacle. Also sanctifying the Shabbat and remembering it tremendously!! In modern day, desecration of Shabbat, includes, driving the car, switching off/on lights directly and doing any form of creative activity. The fifth, commands us to honour our parents, in this commandment it relates how we should also honour older siblings and always do what is requested of our parents and to not do anything that upsets them. The sixth commandment, states how one should not murder, included in this category is not to embarrass someone in public as that is a form of murder. The seventh commandment is not to commit adultery; the eighth is that one should not steal. The ninth commandment is not to bear false witness against a fellow man. The tenth commandment is not to be jealous of what others have. We all have to realize, Hashem awards an individual with what he should have in this world, and it isn’t our job to covet others possessions. In the Tanach we see, a pure desecration of the last 2 commandments by King Achav, who coveted a man of the name Nabot’s field, in order to gain possession of the field, he had him put on trial for something he didn’t do, and Nabot was put to death as a penalty for a crime he didn’t commit. Both jealousy and bearing false witness led to his murder! The parshah finishes off relating the mitzvah of not building an alter of stones touched by iron, as iron is used usually for destructive purposes, for example, sharp knives (which could be used to kill), however the alter in general, is there to promote peace!! The Haftorah for this weeks reading comes from chapter 6 in the book of Isaiah, relating the prophet’s vision of the heavenly chariot. The Midrash comments that Hashem offered the Torah to all the nations, the nations asked whats in the Torah? Hashem related to the Ishmaelite nation that the Torah said ‘Don’t Steal!’ the Ishmaelite’s answered, we can’t accept as our forefather Ishmael’s hand was on everyone else. Hashem asked Eisav’s descendants if they wanted to accepted it, they also asked what is in the ten commandments, Hashem replied ‘Don’t Murder,’ they answered they couldn’t accept as the forefather Eisav was steeped in to murder. If we cast are mind back to Parshah Toldot, their was a Midrash that stated that Eisav murdered ‘Nimrod’ as he wanted his coat. After asking all the nations, including, Moav, Ammon, Canaan and others, he then offered it to the Jewish nation and they accepted it with pure enthusiasm!! After they accepted the Torah at Mount Sinai, G-d charged Moshe to instruct the people not to approach the mountain and to be prepared for the giving of the Torah for three days. On the third day, amidst thunder and lightning, G-d's voice emanated from the smoke-enshrouded mountain and He spoke to the Jewish People, giving them the Ten Commandments: In fact, the first two commandments came directly from Hashem, however, they could not comprehend the almighty speaking to them, they requested of Moshe for him to hear the last 8 commandments, and then he would relate it to the nation. Below is a list of the Ten Commandments; 1. Believe in G-d 2. Don't worship other "gods" 3. Don't use G-d's name in vain 4. Observe Shabbat 5. Honor your parents 6. Don't murder 7. Don't commit adultery 8. Don't kidnap 9. Don't testify falsely 10. Don't covet. The first five of the Ten Commandments represent more the man to G-d relationships, whereas the last five commandments are more Man to Man laws. I would like to highlight how crucial the third commandment is in this Dvar torah, in modern day, many individuals take upon themselves oaths vainly, to justify different day to day happenings, people make promises, commit to things, however one should try to avoid making false vows, promises and especially using G-d’s name in an oath and also avoid promising to do things which can not be fulfilled. In Parshah Matos, in the book of Bamidbar, Moshe taught the rules and restrictions governing oaths and vows. However one should always try and avoid using G-d’s name in an oath. It is proper for an individual to use the words ‘Bli Neder’ when about to commit or do something. Qualifying a commitment to perform a certain action with the term bli neder exempts the speaker from the violation of a vow in the event that he does not fulfill his commitment.
