Yitro

In this parsha

Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, hears of the wonders of the Exodus, rejoins Moses in the wilderness, and advises him to appoint a hierarchy of judges to share the burden of leading the people. Israel then encamps at Mount Sinai, purifying themselves for three days. Amid thunder, fire, and the sound of the shofar, God descends upon the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments directly to the entire nation. Overwhelmed by the revelation, the people beg Moses to receive the rest on their behalf.

Themes

• Na'aseh precedes nishma
• Torah as gift and as earned
• Torah as true freedom
• Shabbos and the giving of Torah
• Sinai's imprint on the soul
• The oneness of Anochi

Must-read teachings

1. 1Naaseh Before Nishma“And in the Midrash: ‘They heard… House of Jacob… you lost the ‘we will do,’ be careful with the ‘we will hear.’” The Midrash teaches that Israel was warned to guard the level of ‘hearing,’ since ‘we will do’ had been damaged. He brings pro…תרל"ז
2. 2Torah as freedom and true wisdomConcerning Yisro's "hearing" in connection with the receiving of the Torah, as it is taught: "Yisro heard" — and he was broken and subdued. When Yisro heard about Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah), the loftiness of the Torah broke and h…תרנ"ד
3. 3Toil prepares the vessel; the Torah comes as a giftIn the Midrash on "You ascended on high, You took captives": one might think that because He captured it (the Torah) He took it for free — therefore it says "You took (lakachta)." The Midrash darshens the posuk about Moshe ascending to rece…תרמ"ח
4. 4Torah as both gift and earned takingIn the Midrash: "You ascended on high… you took" (Tehillim 68:19) — it was given to him by way of "taking"; one might think he is obligated to pay money, therefore the verse says "gifts" — it was given to him as a present. The Sefas Emes ci…תר"נ
5. 5Ten Commandments, Inner Soul of CreationThe mitzvah of remembering Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah). The Sefas Emes opens on the obligation to constantly remember the day the Torah was given. As it is written: "the day that you stood before Hashem" (Devarim 4:10), and as it …תרנ"ג
6. 6Sinai's testimony fixed through thought, speech, deed"And Hashem spoke… I am Hashem your God (Anochi Hashem Elokecha)" (Shemos 20:1-2). The opening of the Aseres HaDibros is not merely a statement but the foundation of all that follows. It is written, "Hear, My people, and I will testify agai…תרנ"ה
7. 7Shabbos and Yisrael as hidden root of blessingOn the passuk: "Remember the day of Shabbos." The Sefas Emes opens on the commandment "Zachor es yom haShabbos" and will explore the deep bond between Shabbos and Bnei Yisrael. And it is brought: Shabbos said [before Hashem], "To everyone Y…תרנ"א
8. 8Shabbos as a foretaste of Olam HabaAnd it is brought in the Osiyos d'Rabbi Akiva (the Alphabet of Rabbi Akiva): The Sefas Emes cites a teaching from this midrashic work about how Shabbos is a foretaste of Olam Haba. When Hashem promised Bnei Yisrael Olam Haba (the World to C…תרנ"ז