Isn’t it
interesting that the reading of the Ten Commandments takes place in a parasha
named Yitro, named after the Midianite priest who was Moshe’s father-in-law? Who would have thought such prominence would
be given to an individual who had once worshipped idols? Yet, if you look carefully at this week’s
parasha, there is a family story of great significance prior to the giving of
the Torah. Yitro shows up in the Israelite
camp with his daughter Tzipporah, Moshe’s wife.
He also brings with him the two children of Moshe. When Yitro arrives his very busy son-in-law
does stop what he’s doing and goes out to greet him, bowing down and kissing
him. Moshe and Yitro then go into a tent
together.
After Yitro
hears about all that G-d did to aid the Israelites during the Exodus from
Egypt, Yitro recognizes that G-d is greater than any of the other gods. Yitro brings a burnt offering and
sacrifices for God; and Aaron comes with all the elders of Israel to partake of
the meal before God with Moses' father-in-law.
A midrash in
Shemot Rabbah expresses Yitro’s sacrifice in the following way: “Yitro was a
high priest. When he realized the
bankruptcy of his religion (before he even met Moshe) he called together the
city leaders and said, “I have served you all my life…Now go find yourself
someone else.” They excommunicated him, and allowed no fraternization with
him. No one could work for him or
shepherd his sheep- that is the reason that his own daughters were out with the
sheep when Moshe came…”
The midrash
portrays Yitro as an individual who was seeking Truth even before he entered
the Israelite camp. It was more than
just intellectual understanding that brought Yitro to the Israelites, however,
it was his sense that G-d had created a caring relationship with the Israelites
and that led him ultimately to want to make suggestions for the betterment of
the people in the wilderness.
Another
midrash in Shemot Rabbah suggests that G-d commanded Moshe to greet his
father-in-law when he entered the camp.
“Said G-d to Moshe: Go! This man is coming because he cares, he wants
to be close to Me. You must make him feel wanted, so do not act distant….”
The idea of
drawing individuals closer to Judaism through relationship seems to be on the
forefront of synagogue agendas in this day and age, yet it has always been part
of Judaism’s understanding of what will make one want to become part of the
Jewish people. If you look at the Book
of Ruth, Ruth declares to her mother-in-law, “Where you go, I will go, ….your
people are my people….your G-d is my G-d.”
Ruth becomes known as the most famous of converts precisely because she
had a relationship with her mother-in-law which led her to have a relationship
with G-d and the people of Israel.
Perhaps
you’ve heard the story of the non-Jew who approached both Shammai and Hillel,
who were heads of two schools of thought in the Land of Israel. First he approached Shammai and said he
wanted to convert on the condition that he be taught the entire Torah while
standing on one foot. Shammai chased the
non-Jew away with a rod. The non-Jew then approached Hillel with the same conditions.
Hillel converted him saying, “ What you dislike, do not do to your friend. That
is the whole Torah, the rest is commentary…now go study.”
To some
Shammai’s approach is readily recognized as being harsh. To others, Hillel’s approach might seem too
welcoming. Rambam provided a third approach in his Mishneh Torah. He wrote,
“How do we go about accepting a genuine convert….We say to him,“Why would you
want to become Jewish- don’t you know that these days the Jews are belittled,
disparaged, scorned, scattered, chased from place to place, and suffer
affliction? If he replies, ‘I know it, and I am not even worthy(to be part of
it)’ we accept him on the spot. Then we teach him fundamentals of our religion,
such and the existence of One G-d, and some sample mitzvoth….a person can only
be attracted with tenderness and warmth….”
The words
warmth and friendship are an integral part of what draws one close to
Judaism. When I think of some of my most
positive experiences that help inform my Jewish living, it always involves
gaining deeper understanding from connections with others, whether it be family
or community. Matis Weinberg, wrote in
his book Frameworks- Exodus, “Truth cannot be taught. Truth can be discovered through sharing
life.”
Think about your own experiences as a child, young adult, and now. Which moments of connectivity had an impact
on your development as a Jew and as a member of this community?
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