Yisro – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

Yisro said, “Blessed is Hashem Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of Pharaoh.” (18:10)

Yisro offers praise to Hashem for Klal Yisrael’s good fortune in being rescued from near destruction. The Mechilta views this statement as a critique of Klal Yisrael, saying that Yisro was the first to praise Hashem with the words, “Baruch Hashem.” We must endeavor to understand what was inappropriate about Klal Yisrael’s previous expressions of praise. Did the Shirah that they sang at the Yam Suf constitute a less appropriate praise to Hashem than the words, “Baruch Hashem”? Shirah is communal praise, employed when the congregation assembles to express gratitude to the Almighty in unison. Baruch Hashem is a personal…

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Moshe Marcovich In Yisro, 5758

These are the words that you shall speak to the Bnei Yisrael. (19:7)

Rashi cites the Mechilta that emphasizes the word “these.” Hashem told Moshe to relate specifically what he was told — no more, no less. We can understand insisting that Moshe not change what he was told to say in any form. Why would it be inappropriate for Moshe to speak a little more, if his words would result in his teaching more Torah. Was there a limit on what Moshe was to teach? Horav Avner Okliensky, zl, comments that man’s purpose in life is to garner all of his resources and abilities in order to maximize his potential for the…

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Moshe Marcovich In Yisro, 5758

And they stood at the bottom of the mountain. (19:17)

In the Talmud Shabbos 88 Chazal say that Bnei Yisrael did not merely stand at the foot of the mountain, but that Hashem lifted up the mountain over their heads, declaring, “If you will accept the Torah, it is good. If not, here will be your burying place.” This implies that Hashem imposed the Torah upon us against our will. He threatened us with extinction if we were not to accept the Torah. Is this true? The commentators offer a number of explanations to lend insight to Chazal’s words. Horav Eliyahu Meier Bloch, zl, views the mountain over Bnei Yisrael’s…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“And Yisro rejoiced over all the good which Hashem had done for Yisrael.” (18:9)

Rashi cites the Talmud Sanhedrin 94a which suggests that the word sjhu alludes to the word ohsusj, prickles. The reference to prickles could have one of two connotations. They might be prickles of joy, indicating that Yisro was overwhelmed with happiness. Alternatively, they could be prickles of distress. Although Yisro was filled with happiness for the Jews, he still felt uneasy over what had happened to the Egyptians. Chazal go on to say that one should neither humiliate a gentile, nor speak disparagingly in the presence of a ger, convert, even up to ten generations after his conversion. Horav Yecheskel…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“And the father-in-law of Moshe said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good. You will surely become worn out – you as well as this people that is with you… Now listen to my voice. I will advise you and may Hashem be with you.'” (18:17,18)

Yisro, Moshe’s father-in-law, gave him advice which was included in the Torah, setting the standard for the entire judicial system in Klal Yisrael. Was this advice so unique that Moshe could not have thought of it? Why did Moshe not suggest appointing officers for individual groups? What happened to the zekeinim, elders, who probably had served as magistrates in Egypt? Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, establishes two reasons for Moshe’s initial reluctance to employing the old system – in which appointed magistrates rendered decisions instead of Moshe himself. First, the original code of laws had been based primarily upon human logic,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“I am Hashem your G-d Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt.” (20:2)

The Kuzari explains why Hashem identifies Himself as the one Who took us out of Egypt, rather than as the Creator of the universe. The Exodus was a phenomenon that was clear for all to see. Hundred of thousands of Jews witnessed this unprecedented break with the course of natural events. While everyone was aware that there had been a creation, no man had been present. It, therefore, makes sense to refer to an event that would have greater credibility in the eyes of man. Horav Yaakov Neiman, zl, offers an interesting response to this famous question. He claims that…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“For in order to elevate you Hashem has come.” (20:17).

The word “nasos” is translated by Rashi as “to elevate.” The fact that Hashem Himself has revealed Himself to you will elevate your position in the eyes of the nations. The Rambam and Ramban translate the word “nasos” as “to test.” Hashem has come to test Bnei Yisrael. They differ, however, in regard to the time of this trial. According to the Ramban, the emphasis is upon the present. Hashem is telling Bnei Yisrael, “At Har Sinai, you were thoroughly prepared to meet Hashem. You had no doubt concerning His sovereignty. Now we will see if you will pass the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5757

“And wherever I permit my Name to be mentioned I shall come to you and bless you.” (20:21)

It is significant that this pasuk follows immediately after the Har Sinai experience. No code of law, regardless of man’s acquiescence, will be binding – unless he views that law as the direct result of the spiritual foundation of life. Horav Moshe Swift, zl, cites the Talmud Succah 53a which quotes Hillel’s interpretation of this pasuk. “If you will come into My House, I will come into yours.” Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael that My relationship with you is not merely a reward. It is the product of a natural sequence of events. If you will come to Me – I…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5756

And now if you listen well to My voice and guard My covenant you shall be to Me the most beloved treasure of all people. (19:5)

The Da’as Zekeinim in Parashas Vayeira, (Bereishis 18:8) states that when the three angels came to visit Avraham Avinu, they ate basar b’cholov, an admixture of milk and meat. When Hashem prepared to give the Torah to Bnei Yisrael, the ministering angels came before Hashem and demanded that the Torah would be more appropriately welcomed and observed if it remained in Heaven. Hashem responded by reminding them that the Torah demands that one not eat an admixture of milk and meat, an activity which was not consistent with their behavior during their brief visit with Avraham. Immediately upon hearing these…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5756

“When the ram’s horn sounds long, they shall come up to the mount.” (19:13)

One would assume that after such a singular event in history, when Hashem revealed Himself to Am Yisrael for the purpose of giving the Torah, that this mountain would remain eternally holy. Yet, we see that immediately when the Shechinah “left,” the mountain reverted to its natural state; anyone, even the animals, were permitted to walk on it. Shouldn’t some of this distinctive holiness have permeated this mountain, transforming it into a makom kadosh, holy place? Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, explains that being the designated site for Matan Torah does not give Har Sinai license for eternal kedushah, holiness. It…

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Yisro said, “Blessed is Hashem Who has rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of Pharaoh.” (18:10)

These are the words that you shall speak to the Bnei Yisrael. (19:7)

And they stood at the bottom of the mountain. (19:17)

“And Yisro rejoiced over all the good which Hashem had done for Yisrael.” (18:9)

“And the father-in-law of Moshe said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good. You will surely become worn out – you as well as this people that is with you… Now listen to my voice. I will advise you and may Hashem be with you.'” (18:17,18)

“I am Hashem your G-d Who has taken you out of the land of Egypt.” (20:2)

“For in order to elevate you Hashem has come.” (20:17).

“And wherever I permit my Name to be mentioned I shall come to you and bless you.” (20:21)

And now if you listen well to My voice and guard My covenant you shall be to Me the most beloved treasure of all people. (19:5)

“When the ram’s horn sounds long, they shall come up to the mount.” (19:13)

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