"Nir's Weekly Torah Portion" – Parashat Yitro
Parashat Yitro is the fifth weekly portion in the Book of Exodus. It begins in chapter 18, verse 1, and ends in chapter 20, verse 22. The portion opens with Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law, arriving at the Israelite camp together with Moses’ wife, Tziporah, and their sons. Yitro advises Moses on appointing judges to assist him in leading the people. The majority of the portion focuses on the pivotal story of the Revelation at Mount Sinai, the Ten Commandments, and the Israelites' acceptance of the Torah.
Yitro – The Quiet Revolutionary
Parashat Yitro presents us with a fascinating figure who often remains in the shadows—Yitro himself. Let’s take a closer look at Yitro as a quiet revolutionary, someone who brings about profound change without breaking the system.
The Outsider Who Changes the Game
Yitro arrives as a complete outsider to the Israelite camp. He is not Jewish, he was never enslaved in Egypt, and he did not witness the miracles of the Exodus. Yet, he is the one who identifies a fundamental flaw in Moses’ leadership and offers a revolutionary solution. It’s like an external consultant entering a successful high-tech company and pinpointing a problem everyone else overlooked.
A Revolution Without Revolt
Yitro’s brilliance lies in his ability to introduce deep change without undermining existing authority. He doesn’t tell Moses, “You are wrong,” but rather, “There is a better way.” This is a profound insight into the nature of social change—sometimes, the most effective revolution is one that is carried out with consensus and cooperation.
From my Druze friends, I have learned that the Druze tradition regards the prophet Shuʿayb as a reincarnation of Yitro. In fact, Druze tradition links the Druze people and the Jewish people all the way back to the connection between Moses and Yitro. Over the years, I have had the privilege of learning about and engaging with the Druze community and their rich tradition, and without a doubt, Yitro’s wisdom has been remarkably preserved within this extraordinary community.
I truly believe that the key to fostering unity within Israeli society lies with the Druze community, which serves as a bridge between different groups in Israeli society—and even between different factions within the Jewish people.
Wishing you a pleasant weekend and Shabbat Shalom,
Nir
Image: The Druze flag
