Yitro
In Parashat Yitro, the Pasuk writes right at the beginning "VaYishma Yitro Cohen Midyan Choten Moshe Et Kol Asher Asa Elokim LiMoshe U’LiYisrael Amo, Ki Hotzi Hashem Et Yisrael MiMitrayim." The Pasuk is telling us that Yitro, the father in law of Moshe, heard about all the events surrounding the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt. And as result, Yitro came to the place where the Jewish nation camped, to convert and to join the ranks of the Jewish people.
Rashi on the words ‘VaYishma Yitro’ asks, what did Yitro actually hear? What inspired Yitro and what fantastic news did he hear that motivated him in order to make Teshuva and join the Jewish nation? Rashi goes on to explain that Yitro heard about the splitting of the sea and the triumph against Amalek. But what was the difference between what Yitro heard as compared to the stories that the rest of the world heard. We read everyday in the Az Yashir; ‘‘Shamu Amim Yirgazun…" meaning all the other nations shook with trepidation when told about the miracles, and the splitting of the sea. So what did Yitro hear that encouraged him to act? The rest of the word heard about the miracles but did not act. So was Yitro privy to something more?
So Rashi brings down this question to illustrate Yitro’s greatness. Yitro heard the same as everyone else but only he acted. Yitro was a great man for he acted when hearing of the wondrous miracles of Hashem. Yitro was a wise man for he realized the fantastic marvels and then acted accordingly. All others heard about G-d’s mighty hand, but their thick heart blocked any action, and blocked any appreciation. Yitro was different than all others, for he grasped and realized Hashem’s dominance, and then acted upon it.
The Gemara brings down a account of a similar people who were abstinent in awareness, comprehension, and action. In Masechet Berachot at the end of the 2nd Perek, the Gemara talks about a city called Matan Machsaya which was a city in Bavel. The Gemara talks how the people of the city were stout hearted. The Gemara explains that for 2 months each year there was an open miracle visible to all to see, but nevertheless the people did not come to appreciate Hashem’s intensity and act. For 2 months each year Jewish businessmen would study in the Yeshivah, and during those 2 months, which were Adar and Elul, a cloud of fire would hover over the building. This pillar of fire was a Divine phenomenon that could only be explained as an open miracle. Yet, the townspeople maintained a heavy heart and did not act when seeing this. This shows that a person can see and stand face to face to an open miracle, but yet still lack the ambition or motivation to be inspired and change.
Yitro was a great man, for he heard the same as everyone else, but he alone fully understood its meaning and acted accordingly. This should serve as a great lesson to us all. Although we don’t have direct prophecy with G-d anymore, and although G-d does not communicate to us in forms of Ruach HaKodesh, we nevertheless should realize and act when we see the hand of G-d in our life. We all have experienced some form of Divine intervention. It could be assistance in business, or it could be in the finding of a soul mate, or it could be salvation from a catastrophe, etc. And when G-d does reveal himself, one must comprehend, reflect, and act. The proper reaction is to show appreciation and faith by making a commitment to improve. Do more Chessed (acts of kindness), learn more Torah, or give more charity. Seeing G-d’s hand should serve as an inspiration, otherwise the miracle was in vain. And that is the lesson we learn from Yitro. He heard about the miracles, but unlike everyone else, he acted and came closer to Bore Olam.
