Shemoth 18:1 – 20:23
This week’s perashá is titled Yitró, in honor of the father-in-law of our teacher Moshé. Eben Ezrá says that the incident of Yitró occurred in the second year after the departure from Egypt, since he offered sacrifices to the Eternal. As no other altar could be made, Eben Ezrá explains that the altar mentioned must have been the altar of the Mishkán. According to the geonim, this took place before Matán Toráh.
The previous perashá ends with Amaleq and Refidim, and the perashá Yitró ends with Refidim. The Sages of Israel honored this man because of the wise counsel he gave to Moshé. The text says that Moshé spent the entire day judging various cases. This would exhaust anyone, since judgment requires the use of intellectual faculties. Yitró suggested to his son-in-law that he appoint capable men—men of truth and God-fearing—over thousands, hundreds, fifty, and ten, to judge the lesser cases. Note that the smallest group was ten, which indicates a minyán (a quorum that represents the community). This counsel served as the foundation of Israel’s judicial system.
The Mishnáh Sanedrín explains that there were courts of 3 judges, 23 judges, and 71 judges. Minor cases were resolved locally with 3 judges. If they could not reach an agreement, the case could be brought before the 23 judges. Finally, for cases of capital punishment, it was necessary to go before the 71 judges, the Supreme Court of Israel. It is to this latter court that the perashá Shofetim refers, teaching that one must obey the judges of Israel and not deviate either to the left or to the right, lest one suffer excision (caret) (Debarim 17).
The Talmud teaches us that only these judges could legislate laws to protect the commandments of the Law (mishmeret). By contrast, a judge who disagreed with the ruling and acted against the majority opinion was considered a zaquén mamré (a rebellious judge). The Talmud describes several such cases. From this we learn that no matter how intelligent one may be, we must incline ourselves to the judgment of the majority. It is written, “In the multitude of counsel there is wisdom” (Mishlé).
Adonay, blessed be He, said that He brought the children of Israel out of Egypt on the wings of eagles, so that they would be a chosen people. Onkelos translates “chosen” as “beloved” in Aramaic. We are beloved because of our patriarchs Abraham (friend of God), Yisḥaq, and Israel. Just as He brought us out on the wings of eagles, He will return us to our Land. The Jews of Yemen held this tradition, and when they saw Israel’s airplanes, they interpreted that the “eagles” had arrived to take them. The Toráh was revealed in a desert to hint that the people would have to observe it in exile, outside the Promised Land. Living in Israel under Davidic rule is a dream we all share and a privilege that depends on fulfilling miṣwot. The prophet Yesha’yahu said, “But those who trust in Adonay shall renew their strength; they shall soar like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Yesh. 40:31).
May Adonay, praised be He, grant us strength and wisdom to be faithful servants.
Hakham Yehonatan Elazar-De Mota