Parashat Yitro- The Difference Between Yitro and Amalek
Parashat Yitro is named after Moshe's father-in-law, who left his home in Midyan to join Benei Yisrael in the wilderness. Rashi writes that the news of Keri'at Yam Suf, the miraculous splitting of the sea, and of Benei Yisrael's battle against Amalek, inspired Yitro to renounce paganism, convert to Judaism, and leave his homeland to join Benei Yisrael.
Many Rabbis asked, what about the battle of Amalek made such an impact upon Yitro? We can readily understand how he was inspired by the extraordinary miracle of Keri'at Yam Suf: a slave nation succeeded in overthrowing the most powerful and tyrannical empire of the ancient world, miraculously crossing through the sea which then drowned their pursuers. But why did Amalek's attack on Benei Yisrael leave such an impression on Yitro that motivated him to join Benei Yisrael?
Some Rabbis suggested that when Yitro heard of Amalek's unprovoked assault on Benei Yisrael, he realized that just reading and hearing about God's greatness does not suffice. As we know from the "Az Yashir" song sung by Benei Yisrael after crossing the sea, all the nations of the ancient world heard about the miracle: "Nations heard and were frightened; dread gripped the dwellers of Peleshet. The chieftains of Edom were then in terror, the mighty ones of Moav were seized by trembling; all residents of Canaan melted from fright" (Shemot 15:14-15). Yet, the astonishing news of Keri'at Yam Suf did not prevent Amalek from launching an attack against Benei Yisrael. They heard of Benei Yisrael's triumph over Egypt, they were aware of God's supernatural intervention on their behalf, but the impact of this news quickly faded and they felt confident in their ability to destroy Benei Yisrael.
Yitro thus realized that if he wished to live as a believing Jew, he must leave his homeland, his pagan surroundings, and live together with Moshe and the other righteous people of Benei Yisrael. Hearing and reading about God wasn't enough; without personal contact with inspiring figures, without direct exposure to exemplars of devotion and spiritual greatness, the inspiration gained from second-hand knowledge will, sooner or later, begin to fade.
While it is certainly valuable to read books of Torah and listen to recorded Torah classes, one must also ensure to have direct exposure to, and firsthand contact with, inspiring figures, role models and mentors. It is not enough to read about it; one must live in an environment conducive to religious growth and observance, and among people who encourage him to live a meaningful spiritual life.
There is another lesson, as well, that can be learned from the contrast between Yitro and Amalek: both Yitro and Amalek heard about the miracle of Keri'at Yam Suf, but whereas Amalek paid no attention to the message of this event, Yitro took the message to heart.
Although we do not experience overt miracles today, God conveys messages to us through more subtle means. The story is told of a Rabbi whose wagon driver stopped during a trip to feed the horses and remarked, "Look how foolish these horses are! They think I'm feeding them to give them enjoyment, but in truth I'm feeding them for my own sake, so that they can do their work!"
The Rabbi replied, "What an important lesson you just taught me! I am just like the horses. When I sit down to a meal, I think that I am eating for my own enjoyment. But in truth, God provides me with food only so that I will have the strength to serve Him properly."
The Rabbi understood that God sometimes speaks to us through a simple wagon-driver; from even the seemingly ordinary experiences in daily life, we can learn important lessons if we keep our ears attuned.
A similar story is told of a Rabbi who came upon a poor cobbler working by candlelight in the late hours of the night. "Why," the Rabbi asked him, "are you working so late at night?"
The cobbler replied, "So long as there remains some oil in the lamp, so long as the candle continues to burn, I have time to fix the shoes."
The Rabbi exclaimed, "What a beautiful lesson: so long as the candle is lit, as our souls remain within us, we have the opportunity and obligation to continue working to 'fix' ourselves, to repent, to perfect our characters!" Sometimes God speaks to us through a poor, ignorant shoemaker.
This is the difference between Yitro and Amalek. Amalek fails to hear the messages God conveys; he ignores the lesson of the splitting of the sea. Yitro, by contrast, pays close attention to what God says to him and makes the appropriate changes in his life. We are to follow Yitro's example, to stay attuned to the messages God sends us and react accordingly.
