B"H
Monday, Shevat 12, 5785 / February 10, 2025
This week’s Parsha, Yitro, is the fifth Parsha in the Book of Exodus (Shmot). In Yitro we read about
G-d’s Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
The name of this Parsha, Yitro, is after Moshe’s father-in-law. He was the priest of Midyan. When he heard of the great miracles which G-d did for the Jewish people, he decided to join them. The Torah tells us that he also brought with him Moshe’s wife, Tziporah, and Moshe’s two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.
Q.How long after the Exodus did G-d give the Torah to the Jewish people?
A.Seven weeks after the Exodus. During these weeks they witnessed the following miracles:
1) The splitting of the sea through which they crossed, and the Egyptians drowned.
2) They came to Mara and there was no water fit for drinking. G-d told Moshe to throw a branch into the water and the water miraculously became sweet.
3) Exactly one month after the Exodus, their food supply, which they brought out of Egypt, was finished. From then on, for the next forty years, G-d gave them manna from heaven. Every day (except Shabbat), the manna came down and they would go out and collect their daily supply.
4) They came to a place called Refidim and had no water to drink. G-d told Moshe to take his staff and strike a certain rock. Moshe did so and water came flowing from the stone. This rock traveled with them throughout their forty years in the desert and supplied them with all the water they needed.
5) While still in Refidim, the people of Amalek came and waged war against the Jewish people. Moshe sent his faithful disciple Yehoshua (Joshua), to fight the Amalekites. While Yehoshua and his men fought the physical battle, Moshe helped them through his prayers. Joshua and his men were victorious.
Now, after all their past experiences, the Jewish people were ready to accept the Torah.
Q.The Torah tells us that when Moshe went to Egypt to command Pharaoh to let the people go, he took his wife and children with him. How is it that Yitro brought them with him now over a year later?
A.On his way to Egypt Moshe met up with his brother Aaron, whom he didn’t see for many years, since the time Moshe escaped from Egypt. Moshe introduced his wife and children to Aaron. Aaron asked him, “Where are you taking them?”
“I’m taking them with me to Egypt,” Moshe replied. Aaron wasn’t pleased. “We are trying to get our brethren, who are already in Egypt out of there and you’re bringing more people into Egypt?” Moshe realized that Aaron was right. He sent his wife and children back to her father, Yitro, while he continued on with Aaron to perform their G-dly mission to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. Now, it was Yitro’s turn to bring his daughter and his two grandchildren with him to Moshe.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE FREED NOW