Words of Wisdom, Motions of Might

Always a good week in February, this week between Sarah’s birthday and mine I enjoyed nice warm weather, some good conversations with friends, and a great Kabbalat Shabbat service last night. My dad will be in town next week to help me ring in a new year, which should bring its own share of adventures. Valentine’s Day is always a day I enjoy – because it reminds me how everyday is a great one for bringing joy to others! Carrying last week’s parsha over – there were many reasons to sing praise to G!d this week.

At this point in the Torah, the Hebrew people have successfully crossed the Red Sea (by the miracle from G!d’s hand) and are on their way to the land of their inheritance. Moses, with the help of his siblings, is the leader of this nation in many ways – directing their journey, acting as an intermediary between them and G!d, and judging cases. His father-in-law, after whom Parashat Yitro has been called, returns to Moses with Tzipporah, Gershom, and Eliezer (Moses’ wife and sons). After sacrificing, worshipping, and praising G!d – because he has seen that he is the true G!d – Jethro observes Moses in action as leader of the people. His impression, which he shares with Moses, is that the workload is staggering. In fact, Jethro asks Moses why he does everything alone, an exhausting task that surely leaves Moses depleted of the energy required to be the best leader he can be. Jethro suggests a system of appointing judges over the people, advice to distribute responsibility which Moses wisely takes.

Perhaps this is the story for which Yitro is most famous. Rather than being remembered as a priest of Midian, one whom eagerly accepted Moses into his family after helping his daughters and their flocks, he is remembered as giving wise counsel to the counselor of the young Hebrew nation. The wise advice offered perhaps allowed Moses to continue leading the people for as long as he did. What would have happened to Moses and the Israelites without Yitro’s wisdom?

We are currently reading Midrash about this parsha in one of my classes. Our discussion, along with the rabbi’s drash last night, deals with the last chapter and a half of this section. In Exodus 19-20, we sit in anticipation beside the Hebrew people as they encounter G!d’s overwhelming, terrifying, majestic power and presence at Mt. Sinai. Moses ascends to meet with G!d while the people remain at the foot of the mountain. In Exodus 20, Moses receives what are commonly known as the “Ten Commandments,” but which are never called by that name in scripture or rabbinic literature. The rabbis referred to these as the “Ten Utterances,” and contained within these utterances are actually at least thirteen commandments (and some simple statements). These iconic sayings remind Moses and the Hebrew nation who is the ultimate leader and power, and how they should relate to him and to each other.

The haftarah this week includes Isaiah 6, one of my favorite passages of scripture. The imagery of G!d’s magnificent, awesome, frightening might demand worship, a recognition of lowness, and immediate attention by the person encountering G!d. Just as Moses could do nothing but worship and obey G!d, Isaiah is well aware of his own position in relation to the supreme power. These scriptures remind the reader of G!d’s presence, power, yet also his need for the help of his creation in order to carry out his work.