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YITRO
Exodus
18:1-20:23
Isaiah 6:1-7:6;
9:5-6
Mathew 5:17-32
As
the Torah portion opens, we read that Yitro (Jethro), Moshe’s
father-in-law, arrives. He has brought with him Moshe’s wife and two
sons. Yitro gives Moshe wise advise regarding how the people are to
be judged. HaShem then tells Moshe that the people need to prepare
themselves to hear His laws.
In the earliest portions of the
Torah we read about the fall of mankind and how they went into all forms
of idolatry and sexual immorality. Even so, G-d chose Noach and his
family to be saved by His great mercy. Afterwards, mankind began to
forget HaShem and failed to be worshipers of Him. Because they
failed, G-d brought forth the men of faith, Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov.
He established His covenants with His chosen people. The covenant at
Sinai with Moshe, was set forth to show the mercy of HaShem, how to walk
in His ways, and how to be a holy people. From the beginning, we
have been called to be a Kingdom of Priests, a holy nation (Exodus 19:6).
We are G-d’s treasured possession, a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people belonging to G-d, that we may declare the praises of
Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1Peter 2:9).
One of my favorite books of the
bible is Romans. In Judaism, the term Midrash refers to a
scholarly explanation of a portion of scripture. As I understand it,
the book of Romans is a Midrash, written by Shaul (Paul), to
explain the entire Torah.
Briefly, the book of Romans is
divided into three major parts. Chapters 1-8 discuss the plan of
salvation; chapters 9-11 deal with the issues of Israel and chapter 12 to
the end of the book have to do with daily living as believers in Messiah
Yeshua.
In his midrashic dissertations,
Shaul answers the age old question, Did G-d keep His promises to Israel,
and if not, how are we to expect Him to keep His promises to us (chapters
9-11)? The answer (11:26) is that all Israel shall be saved.
The sages of old stated in the Talmud (in the section called Pirke Avot,
the Sayings of the Fathers) that all Israel have a part in the world to
come. There is a listing of the offenses, which will not allow
individuals into their inheritance. In Romans chapter 2, there is a
list of offenses followed by the statement that one is not a Jew if he is
only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.
A man is a Jew if he is one inwardly and his circumcision is of the heart,
by the spirit, and not only by the written code.
Romans chapter 12-15, discusses
living for G-d, obeying civil rulers, dealing with disputes among the
brethren. The main point regarding how to live as believers in
Messiah Yeshua is to follow His commandments and to remember that love
conquers all.
The book of Romans confirms to
us that the Torah is not just another book, but a way of life. Rav
Shaul points out that the Torah shows us the way of salvation, hope for
the redemption of the world, the fulfillment of G-d’s promises to Israel
and how to live a holy, G-d centered life.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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