Yitro
The parasha of Yitro ranks as the most powerful section of all the Torah readings. Containing the essential narrative of Judaism that tells t he tale of the Revelation to the masses assembled at Sinai, Yitro spills out a message that would forever change the course of the universe. Yet, an anomaly lurches out at the reader: why do we begin with such a forgettable man, Yitro, father-in-law of Moshe, and end with a cosmic event? Two more nagging questions gnaw at the mind. Why is this pivotal section of the Torah called by the name of a pagan? What lies at the crux of the conversion of Yitro to Judaism? *And Yitro heard... and Yitro came... Exodus 18:1 * is how the parasha begins. What did Yitro hear that compelled him to join with the Israelites? What was the catalyst that caused Yitro to abandon his past? What did he hear? In the Talmud we find an answer; actually...