Weekly Sidra: Yitro (Jetro)
Torah Portion: Shemot / Exodus 18:1-20:23
Haftorah: Yeshayahu / Isaiah 6:1-6:13 (Sephardim)

Yitro, Yithro, or Yitro (יִתְרוֹ — Hebrew for “Jethro,” the second word and first distinctive word in the parasha) is the seventeenth weekly Torah portion (parasha) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fifth in the book of Exodus. It constitutes Exodus 18:1–20:23. The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which says, “Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people” (Exodus 18:1). Jews in the Diaspora read it the seventeenth Sabbath after Simchat Torah, generally in late January or February. Jewish people also read part of the parasha, Exodus 19:1–20:23, as a Torah reading on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments.

In last week’s parsha, Beshalach, the Jewish nation completed their redemption from Egypt with the splitting of the Yam Suf, their crossing it on dry land, and the death of the Egyptian army. This portion tells the story of Jethro’s visit to the camp of Israel, then relates the great theophany at Mount Sinai, where God gives Israel the Ten Commandments and invites the people to enter a special covenant relationship with Him.

Note: On the Shabbat the Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person “goes up” to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading. Here are this week`s aliyot:

1st Aliya: Yitro brings Moshe’s wife and two sons to join him in the desert. Moshe tells Yitro all about their being delivered out of Egypt, the splitting of the sea of reeds, the manna, the water, and the war with Amalek. In 18:10, Yitro proclaims his belief in HaShem and identifies His manifest justice as the primary motive for his belief and conversion.

2nd & 3rd Aliyot: Yitro observes Moshe’s daily schedule as chief administrator, judge, and teacher (rabbi). Moshe sitting before thousands of people from morning to evening and acting as a judge in their disputes. He would tell them what the laws of God say about their particular case. He advises his son-in-law to delegate some responsibilities to a hierarchy of worthy judges and administrators. This would allow Moshe to focus his attention on those issues that demand his specific attention. Moshe listens to Yitro’s advice.

Yitro suggests a system of delegating Moshe’s responsibility, where Moshe would appoint heads of thousands, heads of hundreds, heads of fifties, heads of tens, able men, God fearing men, men whose word will be believed, for them to judge most cases leaving only the most difficult for Moshe. Moshe does everything his father-in-law suggests, setting up a hierarchical judicial system.

4th Aliya: This begins the preparation for Revelation. It is the 1st day of Sivan, and the Benei Yisrael have been in the desert for 43 days. Moshe is told by HaShem to explain to the nation that they are a “kingdom of priests…” The Torah says they arrived there in the third month after leaving Egypt on the "same day". Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki (Rashi) says the term "same day" is used to indicate that the Torah should be considered by each of us as new as if it were given today.

5th Aliya: Moshe tells the nation of God’s expectations and they respond, “all that HaShem will command we will do.” Moshe is further instructed to tell the people to prepare themselves by immersing themselves and their clothing in a Mikveh (ritual bath), and to remain apart form their spouses for 3 days. Har Sinai (Mount Sinai / Mount Horeb) is to be fenced off so that no person or animal could ascend the mountain until the shofar sounded the conclusion of Revelation (like the end of Yom kippur, or the final revelation of Mashiach). On the 3rd day, Revelation began with lightning, thunder, the sounding of a Shofar, and Mt. Sinai completely engulfed in clouds, smoke, and fire. Moshe led the nation to assemble at the foot of a trembling Har Sinai.

6th Aliya: HaShem summoned Moshe to ascend the mountain and instructed him to re-emphasize the prohibition against anyone ascending the mountain during Revelation. Moshe descends and discharges HaShem’s wishes. With Moshe standing among the people at the foot of the mountain, HaShem spoke the “Aseret haDibrot” Ten Commandments to the entire people.

The Jewish people look to the east, west, north, south, up, and down, and see the revelation of God. As explained in Jewish tradition, there was no place from which God did not speak to them. At every divine utterance, their souls took flight, and God revived them with the dew with which He will revive the dead when Mashiach is finally revealed to all Israel (may it happen speedily in our day).

The Ten Commandments are encapsulated in the first two commandments, and all 613 commandments are encapsulated in the Ten Commandments.

The “Aseret haDibrot” Ten Commandments are:

1. Believe in the God who took you out from bondage.
2. Do not worship idols
3. Do not use God’s name in vain
4. Remember Shabbat to keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not be a false witness
10. You shall not be jealous of your friend’s possessions

It is a Jewish custom that we all stand while listening to the Ten Commandments being read.

7th Aliya: This last Aliya describes the reaction of the nation to Revelation. In 20:19, the pasuk (verse) factually states that the Benei Yisrael (Jewish Nation) collectively heard God speak. It is among the most fundamentally important statements in the entire Torah. As the aliyah continues, the Torah continues with the commandments forbidding the making of idols. The Parasha concludes with the three commandments regarding the Mizbeach (Altar).