Yisro – Page 15 – Peninim on the Torah

Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5754

“Now I know that Hashem is greater than all the gods.” (18:11)

Rashi explains Yisro’s statement in the following manner, “I knew Him in the past, but now I know him even more intensively.” Affirming one’s recognition of the Almighty is no small statement. Nonetheless, what was so unique about Yisro that an entire parsha in the Torah is dedicated to his name? He became Moshe’s confidante and chief advisor. Consequently, the entire Klal Yisrael and its leadership accorded him the greatest honor. It seems peculiar that all this esteem was directed towards Yisro solely because he recognized Hashem’s eminence. Horav Chaim M. Katz z.t.l. explains, that Yisro distinguished himself by joining…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5754

“And you shall provide out of the people able men, G-d fearing, men of truth, hating unjust gain… and Moshe chose able men out of Yisrael.” (18:21,25)

This pasuk seems to imply that it would not be easy to find truly honest and G-d fearing men. Indeed, Moshe had to rely upon ruach ha’kodesh, Divine inspiration, in determining the true nature of these men. Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, points out that individuals of such laudable character do not seek to publicize themselves as they are secure in their own self-image. They tend to hide from public recognition. Moshe had to resort to a somewhat novel approach for finding these unique individuals. The Chezkuni makes a profound interpretation of G-d fearing men. He suggests that a true yoreh…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5754

“All that Hashem has spoken we will do.” (19:8)

Later in Parashas Mishpatim (24:7), Klal Yisrael reaffirmed their acceptance of the Torah with the famous statement, “Naase V’Nishma. We will do and we will listen.” Chazal teach that when Bnei Yisrael proclaimed, “Naase V’Nishma,” they meant we will first pursue practical observance and practice and afterward rationalize it. The Midrash relates that at that moment one angel came down from Heaven and placed two crowns representing Naase V’Nishma on each Jew’s head. Interestingly, once Bnei Yisrael broke the pledge and placed Nishma before Naase, theory before practice, two angels came down to dismantle the crowns. We can wonder at…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5754

“I am Hashem your G-d.” (20:2)

Chazal in Talmud Shabbos (105a) say that the word hfbt, I, is an acrostic for hapb tbt, ,hcvh vch,f” I put Myself into the writing.” Hashem says that His very essence is suffused to every letter of the Torah. As Horav Moshe Swift z.t.l. explains, this amazing statement is the cornerstone for the eternal nature of the Torah. Hashem reveals Himself through the Torah. It is His will. When one reads or studies the Torah, he is actually studying Hashem. Honoring the Torah is tantamount to honoring Hashem. There is nothing like Torah in the world of literature; other writings…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5754

“Do not kill.” (20:13)

One may wonder why the prohibition against murder is included in the Aseres Ha’dibros, Ten Commandments. An obvious explanation is that we should not tamper with human life. Certain forms of “murder” are overlooked because of our lack of sensitivity to others. The Ibn Ezra writes “Do not kill with your hand or with your tongue by perjuring your testimony against another fellow by blatant or even innocuous forms of slander, or by giving someone harmful advice, knowing fully well the tragic consequences that will occur. One who is privy to a secret which can save another Jew’s life, and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5753

“And Moshe sent away his father-in-law, and he (Yisro) went his way to his own land.” (18:27)

Rashi states that Yisro returned home solely in order to convert the remainder of his family to Judaism. The Maharal interprets the words “And Moshe sent” to imply that Moshe gave his blessings to this return. Horav A.H. Lebovitz, Shlita, poignantly extols the supreme sacrifice that Yisro made by leaving Bnei Yisrael and returning to Midyan. Bnei Yisrael had been privy to a unique miraculous existence. Sustained by manna, protected by the Clouds of Glory and a Pillar of Fire, Bnei Yisrael had experienced the most intense spiritual moments of all time. Under the tutelage of the greatest teacher, Moshe…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5753

“And you will be to Me a kingdom of Kohanim (priests) and a holy nation.” (19:6)

A Kohen is one whose life is devoted to the service of Hashem. The title Kohen also implies “scholar”. As it is written in Shmuel II 8:18 – uhv ohbvf sus hbcuw which means that they were Torah scholars. Hence, the prime pursuit of Am Yisrael is the study of Torah. Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, observes that this pasuk does not merely state Hashem’s promise of Am Yisrael‘s future reward. It is an aspect of Hashem’s covenant with us which responds to our acceptance of the Torah. When we responded with the gnabu vagb, “We will do and we will…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5753

“I am Hashem your g-d.” (20:2)

The Aseres Hadibros, the Ten Commandments, have been described as the fountainhead of Jewish law. Indeed, it is the most sublime synopsis of human duties; it will never be antiquated. The Aseres Hadibros comprised the first compendium of laws which Hashem gave to Am Yisrael. Contemporary man distinguishes between his visible actions (i.e., the things we do and don’t do) and the actions that are in the back of his mind (i.e., the things that we think of and do not do). We tend to discern between the things we do and the motive behind these actions. This unfortunate situation…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5752

“And Yisro heard… of all that Hashem had done for Moshe and for Yisrael His people.” (18:1) – “And Moshe told his father-in-law all that Hashem had done.” (18:8) – “And Yisro said blessed be Hashem for saving you.” (18:10)

We may note that Yisro did not bless Hashem until after he had heard the various miracles which had transpired directly from Moshe. What was unique about Moshe’s description of the details of the Exodus and its miracles as differentiated from the information Yisro had heard while in Midyan? Indeed, the first reports of these occurrences provided incentive enough for him to leave his home to come join Bnei Yisrael in the desert. The Darchei Mussar explains that from this pasuk we may derive the importance of studying with a teacher who is replete with yiras shomayim (fear of Heaven)….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5752

“And all the people answered… all that Hashem has spoken we will do.” (19:8)

Bnei Yisrael responded ,with “We will do,” prior to saying “And we will listen”. Consequently, a Heavenly voice came forth and proclaimed, “Who revealed to My sons the secret of uttering vagb before gnab, an expression reserved for angels?” Because Bnei Yisrael were absolutely prepared to accept the Torah before hearing its commandments, they attained the highest spiritual level a human being is capable of achieving. We must endeavor to understand the great secret of exclaiming vagb prior to gnab/ What difference is there in the precise order of acceptance as long as the Torah is properly observed? In order…

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“Now I know that Hashem is greater than all the gods.” (18:11)

“And you shall provide out of the people able men, G-d fearing, men of truth, hating unjust gain… and Moshe chose able men out of Yisrael.” (18:21,25)

“All that Hashem has spoken we will do.” (19:8)

“I am Hashem your G-d.” (20:2)

“Do not kill.” (20:13)

“And Moshe sent away his father-in-law, and he (Yisro) went his way to his own land.” (18:27)

“And you will be to Me a kingdom of Kohanim (priests) and a holy nation.” (19:6)

“I am Hashem your g-d.” (20:2)

“And Yisro heard… of all that Hashem had done for Moshe and for Yisrael His people.” (18:1) – “And Moshe told his father-in-law all that Hashem had done.” (18:8) – “And Yisro said blessed be Hashem for saving you.” (18:10)

“And all the people answered… all that Hashem has spoken we will do.” (19:8)

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