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YITRO
22 JAN 2011
Exodus 18:1-20:23
Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6
Mathew 5:17-32, Heb.12:18-24
IN THIS PARASHA:
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears of the great miracles
which G-d performed for the people of Israel, and comes from Median to
the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. Jethro
advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist
him in the task of governing and administrating justice to the people.
The Children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where
they are told that G-d has chosen them to be His "kingdom of priests"
and "holy nation." The people respond by proclaiming, "All that G-d has
spoken, we shall do."
On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven weeks
after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of
Mount Sinai. G-d descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning,
billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Moses to
ascend.
G-d proclaims the Ten Commandments, commanding the people
of Israel to believe in G-d, not to worship idols or take G-d's name in
vain, to keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, and not to murder,
commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet another's property.
The people cry out to Moses that the revelation is too intense for them
to bear, begging him to receive the Torah from G-d and convey it to
them.
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
patriarchs, 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).
The question for us all is how is our walk? Are we
walking in holiness since we have been called out of darkness? Are you
declaring His praise?
Why not?
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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