Yisro – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“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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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5756

“You shall not take the Name of Hashem, your G-d, in vain.” (20:7)

The Torah admonishes us not to swear falsely or in vain. Horav Reuven Katz, z.l., interprets this pasuk homiletically. Do not “raise up/attach Hashem’s Name to that which is false. Do not misguide people by placing Hashem’s endorsement on your illicit behavior. Regrettably, some individuals resort to the most cruel forms of character assassination in order to undermine, and even destroy, communal Torah-oriented endeavors. They present their deeds under the guise of l’shem shomayim, in the Name of Heaven. Their negative propaganda thinly veils an apparent disdain for the individual or organization they seek to defame. These individuals publicly proclaim…

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Sruly Schnair In Yisro, 5756

And when you make for Me an altar of stones, do not build them hewn, for you will have raised your sword over it and desecrated it. (20:22)

The Bobover Rebbe, Horav Bentzion Halberstam, z.l., interpreted this pasuk in a novel homiletic manner. He once davened in a shul where the chazan, instead of focusing on achieving proper kavanah, devotion, was priding himself on his ability to enunciate the words clearly with the proper syllables. His melodious voice only increased his arrogance. Witnessing this degradation of the sanctity of Tefillah, prayer, the Bobover Rebbe remarked: The Torah states: “If you will make for Me an altar of stones.”; Chazal teach us that tefillah has replaced the altar with its sacrifices. The Sefer Yetzirah states that in kabbalistic vernacular,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5755

“And Yisro heard…. all that Hashem wrought for Moshe and Yisrael.” (18:1)

Rashi explains that Yisro heard the news of the splitting of the Red Sea and the war with Amalek. These two miraculous events so impressed Yisro that he left his established home in Midyan and joined Bnei Yisrael in the desert. Obviously, all the other nations also heard the news about the remarkable miracles which were occurring for Bnei Yisrael. Yisro, however, applied what he indeed heard to his immediate lifestyle. Horav Chaim Shmuelevitz z.l., was wont to say, “Yisro did not simply hear, he “derhered,” a Yiddish expression which connotes a unique quality of listening. It implies attending to…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Yisro, 5755

“And Yisro, the father-in-law of Moshe, took Tzipporah, Moshe’s wife… and her two sons.” (18:2,3)

It is interesting to note that the Torah refers to Moshe and Tzipporah’s sons as “her two sons.” Were they only Tzipporah’s sons? Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, asserts that the education parents impart to their child establishes the tenor of the relationship between them. From the time Moshe left Midyan — at the behest of Hashem to lead Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt — until this moment, Tzipporah guided their childrens’ education. This is the reason that they are referred to as “her two sons.” This remarkable insight into parenting and education should serve as a lesson for us all….

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“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)

“You shall not take the Name of Hashem, your G-d, in vain.” (20:7)

And when you make for Me an altar of stones, do not build them hewn, for you will have raised your sword over it and desecrated it. (20:22)

“And Yisro heard…. all that Hashem wrought for Moshe and Yisrael.” (18:1)

“And Yisro, the father-in-law of Moshe, took Tzipporah, Moshe’s wife… and her two sons.” (18:2,3)

YEARS

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