Fact | Description |
---|---|
Parasha Number | 16th Parasha in the Book of Exodus (Shemot) |
Parasha Name | Yitro (יִתְרוֹ) means “Jethro” in Hebrew, highlighting the narrative of Jethro’s counsel to Moses and the establishment of a judicial system for the Israelites. |
Torah Book | Exodus (Shemot) |
Number of Verses | 72 verses |
Number of Words | Approximately 1,346 words (in the Hebrew text) |
Primary Characters | Moses, Jethro, Aaron, and the Israelites are central figures. |
Key Themes | The arrival and advice of Jethro, the establishment of a judicial system, and the preparation for the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. |
Significant Events | Jethro’s arrival, the organization of a judicial system. |
Notable Quotes | Jethro’s wise counsel to Moses. |
Legacy | Parashat Yitro marks the establishment of a judicial system for the Israelites based on Jethro’s advice. |
Relevance Today | The themes of wise counsel, leadership, and the importance of establishing just systems remain relevant in contemporary times. |
Well-Known Stories | Jethro’s counsel to Moses and the establishment of a judicial system. |
Special Observances | Parashat Yitro is regularly read during synagogue services and holds significance in Jewish liturgical traditions. |
Connections to Other Texts | Yitro connects to subsequent events in the wilderness and sets the stage for the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. |
Theological Significance | Parashat Yitro emphasizes the importance of wise counsel, leadership, and the establishment of just systems in accordance with God’s will. |
Parashat Yitro is the sixteenth weekly Torah portion in the Book of Exodus (Shemot). The name “Yitro” refers to Jethro in Hebrew, capturing the essence of the narrative focused on Jethro’s counsel to Moses and the establishment of a judicial system for the Israelites. This parasha spans Exodus 18:1–20:23, marking a crucial episode in the Israelites’ journey towards receiving the Torah.
Key events and themes in Parashat Yitro include:
Jethro’s Wise Counsel: Yitro arrives, observes Moses burdened with resolving disputes, and offers practical advice to establish a hierarchical judicial system, alleviating the leadership burden on Moses.
Preparation for the Giving of the Torah: Yitro’s arrival sets the stage for the momentous event of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The parasha outlines the meticulous preparations leading to this significant encounter with God.
Notable Quotes: Jethro’s counsel to Moses serves as a noteworthy expression of wisdom and practical governance.
Legacy and Significance: Parashat Yitro establishes the framework for a just legal system within the community, highlighting the importance of effective governance and leadership. It marks a pivotal step in the journey towards receiving the divine laws at Sinai.
Relevance Today: The themes of wise counsel, leadership, and the establishment of just systems remain pertinent in contemporary contexts, providing insights into effective governance and decision-making.
This parasha, Yitro, sheds light on a transformative phase in the Israelites’ narrative, emphasizing the enduring impact of practical wisdom and the establishment of a just legal system as crucial components of their journey towards receiving the divine guidance encapsulated in the Torah.
יתרו
Yitro
Exodus 18:1-20:23
ישעיהו
ו׳:א׳-י״ג
Isaiah
“Holy, holy, holy!
GOD of Hosts—
Whose presence fills all the earth!”
“Woe is me; I am lost!
For I am a man of impure lips
And I live among a people
Of impure lips;
Yet my own eyes have beheld
The Sovereign GOD of Hosts.”
“Now that this has touched your lips,
Your guilt shall depart
And your sin be purged away.”
‘Hear, indeed, but do not understand;
See, indeed, but do not grasp.’
Stop its ears,
And seal its eyes—
Lest, seeing with its eyes
And hearing with its ears,
It also grasp with its mind,
And repent and save itself.”
“Till towns lie waste without inhabitants
And houses without people,
And the ground lies waste and desolate—
And deserted sites are many
In the midst of the land.
Yitro
more on Parashat Parashat Yitro: Revelation at Sinai
Quick Guide: The Five Books of Moses
Genesis | Exodus | Leviticus | Numbers | Deuteronomy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bereshit (1:1-6:8) |
Shemot (1:1-6:1) |
Vayikra (1:1-5:26) |
Bemidbar (1:1-4:20) |
Devarim (1:1-3:22) |
Noach (6:9-11:32) |
Va'era (6:2-9:35) |
Tzav (6:1-8:36) |
Naso (4:21-7:89) |
Va'etchanan (3:23-7:11) |
Lech Lecha (12:1-17:27) |
Bo (10:1-13:16) |
Shemini (9:1-11:47) |
Behaalotecha (8:1-12:16) |
Ekev (7:12-11:25) |
Vayera (18:1-22:24) |
Beshalach (13:17-17:16) |
Tazria (12:1-13:59) |
Shelach (13:1-15:41) |
Re'eh (11:26-16:17) |
Chaye Sarah (23:1-25:18) |
Yitro (18:1-20:23) |
Metzora (14:1-15:33) |
Korach (16:1-18:32) |
Shoftim (16:18-21:9) |
Toledot (25:19-28:9) |
Mishpatim (21:1-24:18) |
Achare Mot (16:1-18:30) |
Chukat (19:1-22:1) |
Ki Tetze (21:10-25:19) |
Vayetze (28:10-32:3) |
Teruma (25:1-27:19) |
Kedoshim (19:1-20:27) |
Balak (22:2-25:9) |
Ki Tavo (26:1-29:8) |
Vayishlach (32:4-36:43) |
Tetzave (27:20-30:10) |
Emor (21:1-24:23) |
Pinchas (25:10-30:1) |
Nitzavim (29:9-30:20) |
Vayeshev (37:1-40:23) |
Ki Tisa (30:11-34:35) |
Behar (25:1-26:2) |
Matot (30:2-32:42) |
Vayelech (31:1-30) |
Miketz (41:1-44:17) | Vayakhel (35:1-38:20) |
Bechukotai (26:3-27:34) |
Masei (33:1-36:13) |
Haazinu (32:1-52) |
Vayigash (44:18-47:27) |
Pekude (38:21-40:38) |
V'Zot HaBeracha (33:1-34:12) |
||
Vayechi (47:28-50:26) |