Parsha Perspectives OZER ALPORT Answer
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PARSHAS YISRO 20 SHEVAT 5768 27 JANUARY 2008 Parsha Perspectives OZER ALPORT answer. He told the critic that without much effort, virtually anybody can find .problems with someone else’s ideas וישמע יתרו Rare is the individual who constructively “And Jethro heard.” offers an alternative plan of action. ur parsha begins by relating that Jethro, the father-in-law of Rabbi Alter then proceeded to offer the Moses, heard about all of the miracles that Hashem performed for following response to the question we posed earlier. In quoting the later verse the Jewish people. This motivated Jethro to come join the Jewish as the beginning of the portion added O as a result of Jethro, Rashi is teaching us people in the desert and to convert to Judaism. Although the verse here calls him that had Jethro only approached Moses Jethro, Rashi notes that throughout Tanach, we find seven different names used to criticize the current system as flawed in reference to him. Each name connotes a different aspect of his personality or without offering a viable alternative, he wouldn’t have merited an additional accomplishments. section in the Torah. It was only because Jethro’s critique was a constructive One of the seven names is Yeser ( ), seem to misquote the beginning of introduction of a superior alternative did יתר which is also the Hebrew word that the portion of judges added by Jethro? the Torah find it worthy of recording! means “to add.” Rashi explains that this name refers to the fact that a portion of Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, known We live in a society where it is considered the Torah was added based on Jethro’s as the Imrei Emes (1866-1948), was perfectly normal to criticize the status quo suggestion to Moses in our parsha that he once present at a Rabbinical conference and to tear apart any solutions offered establish a system of courts and judges. in Warsaw that was called to discuss the by another person. Co-workers do it burning issues of the day and to brainstorm well, spouses do it better, and many of However, in referencing the section that possible solutions. There was one man those who’ve perfected the art are now was added based on Jethro’s proposal, present who somehow found a problem running for President. While we cannot Rashi curiously quotes the verse (18:21) and proceeded to poke holes in every change the approach of others, we can in which Jethro delineated his plan to proposal that was mentioned. Eventually, internalize Rashi’s lesson that while Moses and enumerated the requirements the astute Rabbi Alter approached the anybody can focus on finding faults, a for proper judges. This is difficult to critic and said that because he seemed true leader and innovator will concentrate understand, as a cursory perusal of the to be so good at raising questions, he on proposing constructive solutions. parsha reveals that Jethro’s exchange would like to pose one of his own to him. with Moses began several verses earlier (21:17), when he advised Moses that Rabbi Alter turned and asked him the current arrangement was flawed our question about Rashi’s apparent and unsatisfactory. Why does Rashi misquote, to which the man had no Please pray for a complete and speedy recovery for Bracha Sheindel Rachel bas Chaya Sara Morchechai Hirsch ben Miriam Talking Points yisro RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS 1. HAPPY FOR YOU Listened To The Voice Of His Father- because a dedicated woman is crucial to In-Law – Why did Yisro merit having an success in transmitting the Torah to the “Yisro said, ‘Blessed is Hashem, Who has rescued entire Parshah written based on his advice next generation, as she will be the one to you from the hand of Egypt and the hand of proffered when he wasn’t even Jewish? This encourage her children to attend Cheder Pharaoh…” 18:10 is an eternal lesson for the Jewish people that (Jewish elementary school) in a pleasant wisdom and good sense were not the reasons and inviting manner. These early years are Blessed is Hashem – It was taught in the Hashem chose us to be His nation, for there the foundation upon which the child’s lifelong name of Rav Papais, “It is an embarrassment is much wisdom and good sense to be found dedication to Torah will rest. – Rabbeinu to Moses and the six hundred thousand [Jews among the nations of the world, as well. It was Bachya (Rabbi Bachya ben Asher) who were with him] that they did not say only thanks to His kindness towards us, and ‘Baruch’ [Blessed is Hashem] and that Yisro Rabbeinu Bachya adds that this is the source was the first to do so.” – Talmud, Tractate His great love for our ancestors that He chose of the custom for women to pray for their Sanhedrin, 94a us to be his unique nation. – Or HaChaim (R. Chaim ben Attar,1696-1743) children’s spiritual success immediately following candle-lighting for Shabbos, as Did not Moses, along with the entire prayer is always more efficacious when nation, sing “Az Yashir” on the seashore in History proves that one of the most difficult coupled with the performance of a mitzvah. acknowledgment of Hashem’s tremendous lessons for the Jewish people to comprehend The mitzvah to light candles, which symbolize kindness toward them? Indeed, the Jewish is the notion that as Jews, our uniqueness lies light, is an especially appropriate mitzvah to people wholeheartedly thanked Hashem for not in our overpowering intellect, but in the merge with a plea for success in Torah, which his kindness. However, they were thanking Him merit of the patriarchs and our willingness is also compared to light. for the kindness He had done on their behalf. to emulate their ways. Insofar as our actions Yisro, on the other hand, was an outsider, as he reflect their devotion and passion for serving was not [yet] a Jew. His expression of thanks Hashem, we are the Chosen People. If we toward the Almighty, was not for the kindness mistakenly assume that it is simply due to an he personally experienced, but for that done inherent mystical quality not found elsewhere on behalf of others. Expressing gratitude of in the human race, the story of Yisro serves this nature was something that Moses, and as a powerful reminder that there is plenty of the Jewish people, still had not managed to wisdom and good sense to be found elsewhere, as well. Hence, our greatest contribution to accomplish. - Rav Shlomo of Radomsk zt”l This page is dedicated to and writ- society need not be in the arts and sciences. ten for the 6,000 Partners in Torah There are plenty of others equally capable of mentors. We welcome you to join duplicating that success. Rather, it should be in Why is it important to thank Hashem for the kindness their ranks by calling 800-STUDY-4-2. the area of morality, where the example of our that He performs on behalf of others? People often Please send your comments, ques- patriarchs endows us with a unique ability to have a hard time relishing the success of others. If tions, and suggestions to info@ it doesn’t directly affect their own bottom line, they serve as a “light unto the nations.” partnersintorah.org act as if they couldn’t care less. By training ourselves to feel good about the success of others, we are 3. EASY DOES IT CONTACT infO FOR PARTNERS in actively overcoming this selfish trait. Additionally, “And Moses ascended to Hashem, and Hashem TORAH MENTOR ADVisORS*: one who seeks to bolster his trust in Hashem, is called to him from the mountain, saying, ‘This is well advised to seek out the many kindnesses that what you shall say to the House of Yaakov, and Rabbi Elazar Meisels ~ Hashem performs on behalf of mankind in general, relate to the Bnei Yisrael.’” 19:4 212-810-2602 (Sunday & Tuesday 8:00 - 11:00 pm) and not only on what he personally receives from [email protected] the Almighty. That way, he’ll surely be overwhelmed Say To the House of Yaakov - This by the realization that Hashem’s kindness is truly refers to the women. Say it to them in a Rabbi Pinchos Jung ~ gentle voice. And Tell the B’nei Yisrael without limits. 845-425-6533 – To the men you shall explain the penalties (leave message) and details of the mitzvos using strong words 2. NOT SO SMART AFTER ALL – Rashi *Kindly reserve use of our advisors “And Moses listened to the voice of his father-in- Say To the House of Yaakov – The for mentor contact. law and did all that he suggested.” 18:24 women were instructed in the Torah first, blueprint mrs. aliza bulow palace, and given enough time, draw out the plans necessary to build the same structure, ear Mrs. Bulow, but… he wouldn’t know what’s inside the walls. He can’t see if there’s wiring for the As a graduate student in architecture, I was intrigued Internet or what type of pipes are used in the when I heard that the Torah is the “blueprint of the plumbing - what’s in the walls is unbeknownst D to him unless he can look at the original plans. world”. But in my world, blueprints are created before the construc- So too, a spiritually astute person, in accor- tion process begins, and I recall learning that the Torah was given dance with his or her level of sensitivity and perception, can look at the world and discern after the world was created, so I’m a bit confused.