This Week’s Torah Portion: Yitro – יִתְרוֹ (Exodus 18:1–20:23)
“I יהוה am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.”
The identity of our God, the way God starts the 10 commandments, introducing itself, is the God who frees the captive. God who frees the oppressed. That is why freeing the captive and redeeming the hostages is the most important Mitzvah we have (according to Maimonides).
Parsha Yitro – יִתְרוֹ Torah Summary:
Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12)
Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27)
The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8)
After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25)
God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14)
Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18)
Yitro – יִתְרוֹ
“I יהוה am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.”
The identity of our God, the way God starts the 10 commandments, introducing itself, is the God who frees the captive. God who frees the oppressed. That is why freeing the captive and redeeming the hostages is the most important Mitzvah we have (according to Maimonides).
