Bat Kol International, Weekly Torah Nuggets
Parashat Yitro. Exodus 18:1-20:23
Who was Yitro (Jethro)? The term “father-in-law” appears thirteen times in Exodus Chapter 18, which indicates that he is indeed Moses’ father-in-law. Preceding Jethro’s name is the word vayisma – he heard. Since this characteristic of Jethro being ‘a listener’ comes at the very beginning of this scripture portion, it is seen as important. Jethro listens to Moses and gives him good counsel at the time of establishing the judicial system of Israel. Being a listener prepares us to listen carefully to the ‘ten words’ which follow in Parashat Yitro. (Ex. 20:1-17)
Reflection:
Moses was open to listen to the wisdom of Jethro, open to hear God speak through ‘the other’. How can I be more open to hear God through the other?
Prayer:
Let our prayer be, “Everything the LORD has said, we will do.” (Ex. 19:8)
Prepared by Marie André Mitchell
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“Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies.”
Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions: Nostra Aetate, No. 4