Parashat Yitro: Becoming the People of Israel
The Israelites are now free, and they are on their way towards Mt. Sinai. They’ve witnessed and been part of the most incredible miracles. God’s power is unmatched by anything else they’ve ever encountered. And, yet, something is still missing.
They know that they’ve been part of a covenant with God for hundreds of years. But what exactly does that mean? What does it require of them beyond faith and obedience to God? The time has come for a unifying document or set of laws upon which they can finally build their civilization.
Our portion, Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23), provides the Israelites with a sense of “shared purpose.” As Rabbi Jordan Parr writes:
A mission statement combines and formalizes the nuanced variations of what each individual sees as the mission of the organization and combines those personal ideas into a single coherent and mutually acceptable document. That is why the Israelites can agree to a mission statement, the Ten Commandments, even before they hear them. The basic concepts of obedience and service before God have already taken root among the people. The Ten Commandments are only the formalization of what is already implicit: service to God. In a way, the details are unimportant; the sense of common purpose is paramount and, through the words, “All that the Eternal has spoken we will do!” (Exodus 19:8), is made explicit.
Only with a sense of shared purpose can the disparate Israelites become one nation. The anticipation of receiving the Ten Commandments melds them into one people; yet this Revelation can never happen unless the Israelites share the common purpose of service to God. If they were not united in this way, they would not merit this Revelation.
Journeying together to Sinai, and receiving the Ten Commandments, is what finally allows us to become the People of Israel. Despite our fragility, our doubt, or our trepidation, we still are given the gift of Torah, and thus enabled to be unified by it. It is an intimate gift, both individual and communal, and it is another sign of God’s covenant.
Rabbi Rachel Rosenthal writes:
For the Israelites, who have only known power as a source of violence and destruction, the process of becoming a free nation is terrifying. They repeatedly ask Moshe to take them back to Egypt, fearing that they cannot survive on their own. However, at the moment of receiving the Torah, God promises the Israelites that they will be God’s chosen people, showering them with love during the ultimate display of power that is the revelation at Sinai. It is not enough for God to demand subservience from the Israelites. Their fealty must come from love, from a genuine desire to have a relationship with God.
The idea that we experienced God’s love is profound. This concept is certainly reinforced during the prayers “Ahavah Rabbah” and “Ahavat Olam;” God shows us love when giving us the Torah.
We were all there – all of us – and we all experienced revelation. A few questions come to mind:
Can we imagine anything like this happening today? A moment that truly unified the Jewish people with a common sense of purpose and mission?
What exactly are we gaining when we receive the Ten Commandments? What do they represent to you, beyond just a set of laws? Do you see Torah as an example of God’s love?
Do you believe that revelation was one singular moment or do you believe that it continues?
Our Haftarah portion, Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6, contains the familiar words, “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, Adonai Tzvaot!” The Seraphs fly on either side of God and proclaim God’s holiness for all to hear. Why do you think our ancestors linked this particular scene with this week’s portion? What were they trying to add to such an important passage?
I look forward to standing at Sinai with you all this Shabbat!
