This Torah portion features the giving of the Ten Commandments. But before that, there is a small but incredibly important exchange between Moses and *Yitro.*
After a fierce battle with Amalek, Israel’s primary enemy, we find Moses and the Israelites encamped in the wilderness. Yitro, father-in-law of Moses, hears what God has done for Israel, and comes to meet Moses along with Moshe’s wife Tziporah. He is told details of the deliverance, and blesses God, and states that now he knows there is no other god like Adonai. The next day, Yitro sees all the people standing before Moshe waiting for him to judge them and settle disputes. *Ma hadavar hazeh asher atah oseh la-am? – What is this thing you are doing to the people?* He tells Moshe to appoint others to help him, which Moshe does.
And as quickly as Yitro enters the narrative, he leaves. Who was he, and what was so special about the counsel he offered? Less is written about Moses’s reaction to his father-in-law’s advice than the advice itself. And one more question: Why is such a seemingly prosaic interchange given this kind of attention right before one of the seminal moments of our people’s history?
Let's go back to that question that Yitro asks Moses: *maduah atah yoshev l’vadcha—Why do you act alone* Moshe answers that the people all come to him to inquire of God. They bring their disputes, and it’s up to him to bring God’s teachings to bear. Yitro protests that this task is too heavy for Moshe to do alone. According to Yitro’s advice, Moshe can still participate in the judging, and he should. But appoint others to help you, Yitro counsels, for then your strength will bear up. Moshe heeds Yitro’s words. Judges are appointed. A judicial system that will last for many generations begins.
According to Rashi, Yitro’s exclamation that this task of judging is too heavy for you literally means *it weighs more than your strength.* So… share this task. Trouble may come of it, and discord. But trouble and discord usually aren’t far behind anyway, and in trusting your people, you will have more strength for yourself. You will be free to hear their will, and to become more yourself.
Up to this point, Moses was well versed in listening to God. But this exchange with Yitro taught him the importance of listening to the voices of people. Yitro’s contribution in this Torah portion that bears his name is often read as a testament to the importance of welcoming the stranger into our communities. Even so, It may still seem to be a comparatively small interlude compared to the Ten Commandments?
Before Moshe could ascend Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, before he could come face to face with God alone,he had to learn that he had a partner in his family and in his people. He had to learn we’re not alone. May we learn this too, over and over again. As we go forward—as we teach and are taught, as we advise, as we listen. May we too welcome the stranger within each other and ourselves. May we trust each other. May we unburden each other.
And with all that, may we find that what lies ahead will not outweigh our strength.
