Parashas Yisro

Dror Yikra It Comes Back to Moshe. As the verse states, ‘Call him and let him eat bread’ (Shemos 2:20).” “Abba, why is Moshe Rabbeinu referred “Abba, we just love your explanations “Shloimie, would you like to go shop- to as water?” of the Shabbos zemiros! They have added ping with me today?” “Because Paroh’s daughter named him so much kedusha (holiness) to our Shab- “I would love to, Abba. I love being with Moshe, which means, ‘I drew him from bos table. We want to hear your peirush you.” the water’ (Shemos 2:10). Shlomo on Dror Yikra.” “I feel the same way, Shloimie. We are HaMelech concludes ‘for after many days “With pleasure kinderlach. The first stanza going to the grocery store to buy food you will find it.’ This refers to Aharon speaks about how we find complete rest for Shabbos.” and all the elders of Israel who came to on the Shabbos day. Hashem proclaims “I am so excited.” eat bread with Yisro.” freedom for us from all of our troubles. “Grab your coat and let’s go.” “I still do not understand the message, Abba.” He protects us like the pupil of the eye. They reach the store and Shloimie’s father We will not lose our good reputation takes a shopping cart. He begins filling it “T (even though we rest on a day when all up with all kinds of good things. he Medrash is addressing the fact others are working). We are totally free that many verses in the Torah are written to rest and be content on the Shabbos “Shloimie, please choose eight nice chal- about Yisro, and how Moshe and Aharon day.” lahs.” greeted him (Shemos 18:1-12). This must “We feel more relaxed already, Abba.” “So many, Abba?” be an important event, if so much is writ- “Very good, kinderlach. The author of “Yes, we are having a lot of guests this ten about it. The episode of Yisro teaches Dror Yikra, Dunash ben Labrat, writes in Shabbos. Here is the meat department. us the reward for good deeds. Do not be the first person asking Hashem to show We need chicken and fish.” afraid to do a good deed, even if it ap- him a sign of the upcoming redemption. Shloimie’s eyes open wide as his father pears that you will lose money. Yisro was He poetically asks, ‘Plant a branch (Klal places several chickens into the basket. not afraid to feed Moshe. Who knows if Yisrael) in my vineyard (Eretz Yisrael); Slowly they move on from aisle to aisle. he would ever see him again? No good turn to the outcry of my people.’ The deed goes unrewarded! In the merit of his next stanza asks for vengeance upon our hachnasas orchim (act of kindness of wel- enemies. ‘Trample a winepress in Botzrah coming and feeding a guest), Yisro mer- (a city in Edom), and do likewise in ited to become close to the Shechina (Di- Bavel, who overpowered our nation. vine Presence). As the verse states, Smash my enemies with fury and wrath. ‘Moshe...Aharon...and the elders of Israel Hear my voice on the day I call!’” came to eat bread with the father-in-law “Amen, Abba. Let us keep calling out to of Moshe before Hashem.” Hashem.” “I see Abba. We are not wasting any “An so the zemer continues, asking for the money on food for our Shabbos guests.” geula, kinderlach. ‘Hashem, let myrtle, “Not a penny, Shloimie. We will get it all acacia, cypress, and box trees bloom on back, one way or another. Hashem will the desert-like mountain. Give the teach- not let any good deed go unrewarded.” ers and their students a peace as flowing The cart fills up with fruit, vegetables, as the river’s waters. Crush my foes, O wine, cake, and drinks - all to honor the Kinderlach . . . jealous G-d, with melting heart and grief. Shabbos Queen. “I am getting frustrated. I spend money on May we open our mouths wide and fill mitzvos. I invest a lot of time trying to “We’re almost finished, Shloimie. We just our tongues with Your joyful song. Let help people. I am working on my middos. have to pay.” your soul know Torah; it will be a crown Do people appreciate what I am doing? on your head. Observe the command- Shloimie’s eyes open even wider as he sees Do they realize how much effort I am ments of your Holy One; observe your the cashier ringing up all of the items. putting in?” Don’t worry. Every effort is holy Shabbos.’” Finally, she makes a total – a lot of important. Every chessed is remembered. “Abba, this zemer is indescribably beauti- money. Every penny spent is accounted for. No ful!” “Abba, I never realized that the Shabbos good deed ever goes unrewarded. You “So is the Shabbos, kinderlach. Enjoy both food is so expensive. Maybe we should will benefit from all of your efforts. Only of them as we sing and hope for the cut down on the number of guests to Hashem knows when and where. Trust Moshiach.” save money?” Him. He will not let you down.

Shloimie’s father smiled. Kinderlach . . . Shabbos is a day of serenity and enjoy- “Shloimieleh, to answer your question, Parasha Questions: • ment. Hashem shields us for all of our I would like to share a Devar Torah from How much greater power does a good troubles on His holy day. Dunash uses the the Medrash Rabba (Yisro 27:7) with middah have than a bad middah? opportunity to ask for all of the blessings you. It begins with a puzzling verse from (Rashi 20:5) • of the final redemption. Give us peace by Shlomo HaMelech. ‘Cast your bread What reward does a person receive for crushing our enemies! Make our beautiful upon the waters, for after many days you honoring his parents? (20:12) • homeland bloom! Fill our mouths with will find it’ (Koheles 11:1). Are people Which type of theft is “lo tignov” refer- song, and our souls with Torah! Behold, ring to? (Rashi 20:13) foolish enough to throw their food away we will guard and observe Your holy into the sea? Of course not! Who is this Shabbos. verse referring to? Yisro, who gave bread

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