One
of the most fascinating things about watching our eldest daughter go through
the process of looking for work has been watching her determine what values are
most important. She needs to take into account numerous variables. I must
admit, we have derived a bit of pride watching her struggle since some of the
struggles are a result of the values she was raised with and have become
important to her. There are numerous places she could find work; however she
wants to be in a city with an active Jewish community. However even that is not enough. Her
definition of an “active Jewish community” is really a thriving modern orthodox
community with lots of well educated, observant young professionals that take
their Judaism as seriously as they take their jobs and chosen professions. This
means that she needs to live within walking distance of a shul (synagogue), and
that she needs to be able to leave work early on Friday evenings in the winter.
She needs to constantly calculate and strike a balance between the type of job,
the salary, and the geography all I the name of her desire to live in the type
of community that she deems important. Perhaps no other text shaped the value
and contributed to our instilling in our daughter the value of Jewish community
as Parshah Yitro.
In this week’s Parsha, Yitro, we read two distinct
narratives. In the first half of the Parsha, Moshe brings B’nai Yisroel to
Midian. While there, Moshe spends a little time with his wife, his two sons and
his father-in-law Yitro. Yitro acknowledges that G-d has been protective of
B’nai Yisroel and that the Lord is greater than all other gods. The next day,
Yitro sees Moshe sitting from morning to night mediating all problems that arise
between individuals within the community. Yitro sees that his son-in-law is
overextended and the current method of governing is neither good for him or
Amchah. Being both a Priest of Midian as well as his father-in-law, Yitro
offers advice as a father as well as a community leader. The second part of the
Parshah, from chapter 19 through 20, tells of B’nai Yisroel’s revelation at
Sinai. The Parshah concludes with God’s
declaration of the Aseret Dibrot, the Ten Commandments. The second part of the
Parshah is very well known, incredibly unclear, and lends itself to numerous
interpretations, commentaries and Midrashim.
However, the two stories seem so disparate; it seems odd that both
appear together in the same Parshah. So,
what is the connection between Yitro’s advice and Revelation at Sinai?
First
we must understand Yitro’s advice. Yitro suggests to Moshe “You be a representative of God, and you convey the matters to God…you
shall make known to them the path in which they should go and deeds they should
do. You shall discern from among the entire people, men of accomplishment, men
of truth, men who despise money. You shall appoint them as leaders of
thousands…they shall judge the people at all times, and they shall bring every
major matter to you, and every minor matter they shall judge, and it will be
eased for you, and they shall bear with you. If you do this thing and God shall command you, then you will be able
to endure, and this entire people, as well, should arrive at its destination in
peace.” (Ex. 18:19-23) Yitro explains to Moshe that a community must
have a shared vision. To some degree, people need to know how to seek G-d on
their own, and how to behave within a community. Others need to know G-d’s ways
in order to inform those who need advice and adjudication. Everyone must have
access to G-d and G-d’s teaching. Only then will Moshe’s load be lightened
enough to bear. Only then will Amchah have a stake in the relationship with
G-d. Only then will Moshe and B’nai Yisroel arrive at its destination, in
peace. Only then will Moshe and B’nai Yisroel become willing participants in
their covenant with G-d. Only then can this community uphold their role as a
“priest to the nations”.
After
Moshe heeded his father in-law’s advice, we read the second half of the
Parshah, the Revelation at Sinai. Throughout this narrative, the focus is upon
the people, and Moshe’s ascending and descending the mountain. G-d’s instructs
the Amchah, “the people” to prepare for Revelation. Three times God tells Moshe
to inform B’nai Yisroel of everything that transpired between them. Moshe
connects “the people” to G-d. Three days, B’nai Yisroel prepared for their
“destination”. The “entire people” was in the camp, and they shuddered. Then
Moshe brought the people from the camp toward God. (Ex 19:16-17). When
presented with God’s covenant, “the entire people responded together
and said, ‘everything that God has spoken we will do!’”(Ex 19:8) The
narrative continually emphasizes that Revelation was not solely between God and
Moshe. If it were, then Moshe’s role as teacher, prophet and adjudicator of law
would be overwhelming. No, Bnai Yisroel must be involved in the process. B’nai
Yisroel must experience some aspect of Revelation. B’nai Yisroel must be active
participants in Revelation. They were. They willingly and unanimously
responded. B’nai Yisroel’s unanimous
response obligates them as responsible participants. Also their participation
and unanimous response indicates that they share a common vision and purpose.
As
our daughter continues her search for work and finds the community of her
choice she will soon realize the vibrant community of her choice will have as
much to do with the leader of that community including the rabbi or rabbis as
it does the community – Amchah. A vibrant
Jewish community should be built upon God, Torah, Amchah, Gemilut Chasadim, and
Kedusha, holiness to our lives. The
Rabbi of such a vibrant community will teach others how to access God within
the laws and traditions of our people. The Rabbi will rarely if ever act alone;
otherwise that Rabbi will be a community of one. A vibrant community means that
members of the community will seek knowledge, apply that new found knowledge to
behavior. The Rabbi of such a community will merely facilitate such seeking and
knowledge. Ultimately these members of the community will respond: “Naaseh v’Nishmah – We will do and we will learn”. Amchah must have a common
vision and a stake in the vision. Amchah must share this vision with Moshe
Rabeinu. Amchah must care enough to pass its vision, its revelation, to the next
generation. We must celebrate the community’s success. We must
bare responsibility for the community’s shortcomings. We must care
enough to improve the community. When the Amchah “responds together” then Amchah
“the entire people, will endure and arrive at our destination in peace”.
Peace,
Rav
Yitz
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