Yitro D'var Torah

Yitro Summary

Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro, were reunited. Jethro saw that Moses was taking on a large burden and responsibility as the leader of the Israelites, and he recommended that Moses delegate some of his work of settling disputes to other trustworthy people who could work with smaller groups from the population while bringing major disputes to Moses. Moses agreed to this plan, and he selected his new judges. Later, the Israelites went towards Mount Sinai, and God instructed Moses to come up the mountain while God appeared to the Israelites. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, and when Moses came back down, the people were scared of God but willing to obey Moses’ instructions from God.

Commentary:

God had an interesting test for the Israelites this week with the goal of strengthening the loyalty of the Israelites to Moses and to God. While God was giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, he created a big scene on Mount Sinai with thunder, lightning, horns, and fire. The people were scared, and they stood far away like Moses had told them to. When Moses came down, the people told him, “You speak to us, and we will obey; but let not God speak to us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:16). The people feared God, so they were more willing to listen to Moses just because they didn’t want to encounter God. Moses then answered, “Be not afraid; for God has come only in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may be ever with you, so that you do not go astray” (Exodus 20:17). So, God appeared to the Israelites in order to make them fear him and maintain their loyalty. God then gave Moses an additional message/explanation for the Israelites: “You yourselves saw that I spoke to you from the very heavens: With me, therefore, you shall not make any gods of silver, nor shall you make for yourselves any gods of gold” (Exodus 20:19-20). So, God made the Israelites fear him by appearing while also confirming his existence in order to enforce one of the goals from the Ten Commandments (no worshipping other gods or idols). This is one case where God actually came up with a clever leadership method to use on the Israelites- God wanted the Israelites to fear how much they loved him.