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Jethro
Exodus Chapter 18, Verses 1-11 Background Information: Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, when he fled Pharaoh's house many years before. At the time, Jethro was a Midianite priest, but was no longer an idol worshipper. His daughter, Zipporah, accepted the Jewish way of life when she married Moses. They had two sons- Gershom and Eliezer. Shortly after the birth of Eliezer, his second son, Moses was commanded by G-D at the burning bush to return to Egypt to demand that Pharaoh release the Jews. Initially, Moses planned to take his family with him. However, upon arriving in Egypt, he was advised to send them back to his father-in-law's house. The reason being that Egypt at the time was not friendly to the Children of Israel and it was not a good idea to look for trouble. That was the last time that Moses saw his family until now... Chapter 18, Verse 1: "Vayeeshma Yeetro Khohein Meedyan Chotein Moshe Eit Kol Asher Asa Elokeem Limoshe U'liyisrael Amo, Kee Hotzee Hashem et Yisrael Meemeetzrayeem." "And Jethro, the priest of Midian, the father-in-law of Moses, heard about all that G-D did for Moses and to Israel- His people, that G-D took Israel out of Egypt." Overview of the Biblical Text: After hearing about all of the miracles that G-d did for the Children of Israel, Jethro decided to return with his daughter and grandsons to Moses and the Jewish people. Rashi tells us that Jethro (and the entire world, as well) heard about the miracles of the salvation of the Jewish people. He heard about the plagues, the splitting of the sea, the manna and the water that G-D produced for them. [Rashi tells us that not only did G-D cause water to flow from the rock, but that this spring traveled through the desert wherever the Jews traveled.] When Moses heard that Jethro and his family were arriving, he quickly ran to greet them. Moses welcomed Jethro into his tent and they discussed the great miracles that G-D had done for the Jewish people. Chapter 18, Verses 10 and 11: "Vayomer Yeetro: Baruch Hashem Asher Heetzeel Etchem Meeyad Meetzrayeem U'meeyad Par'o, Asher Heetzeel Et Ha'am Meetachat Yad Meetzrayeem. Ata Yadatee Kee Gadol Hashem Meekol Ha'eloheem, Kee Vadavar Hazeh Zadue Aleihem." "Blessed is G-D who saved you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of Pharaoh, who saved the nation from under the hand of Egypt. Now I know that G-D is greater than all the other gods, because of the thing through which they planned evil against you." Overview of the Biblical Text: Jethro was so impressed by the way G-D cared for His people, that he called out in blessing to G-D. Rashi teaches us that Jethro, the former Midianite priest, had practiced every form of worship and idolatry in the world. Now he accepted the G-D of the Jews as the true G-D. Rashi also explains that the irony of the Egyptian downfall convinced Jethro of G-D's justice. The Egyptians intended to exterminate the Jewish boys by throwing them into the Nile river to drown. In the end, G-D eliminated the Egyptians by drowning them. Discussion Idea: The Parting of the Sea By splitting the sea, G-D demonstrated His great love for the Jewish people. The entire order of nature was changed, establishing without question for the world-at-large that G-D is capable of everything. On a psychological level, this phenomenon helped the Jews as a nation progress beyond the slave mentality to which they had grown accustomed. They no longer feared the whip of man and were able to dedicate themselves to G-D. It is the release from the bondage of Egypt and the miracle of the splitting of the sea that we celebrate on the holiday of Passover. This supernatural act performed by G-D solely for the good of His people is cause for yearly celebration and outpouring of gratitude. © 2002 - 2006 JCC Association 'This New Month' Project |