Our portion opens with the words “Vayishma Yisro ― and Yisro heard ― all that G-d did for the Jewish nation.” Rashi, our great commentator on Torah, asks, “What did Yisro hear that prompted him to leave the comforts of his home in Midyan to join the Jewish nation in the desert?” Rashi brings two reasons based on two opinions of the sages in the Medrash. Yisro heard about the great miracle of G-d splitting the sea for the Jews, and he heard about the war that the Jews victoriously fought against our great nemesis, the nation of Amalek.
The Medrash tells us a third opinion. Yisro heard about G-d giving the Torah to the Jewish people and that inspired him to join the Jews.
A question raised is how did Yisro hear about these great events? The answer is that when the sea split for the Jews, all the bodies and containers of water around the world split as well. The nations asked the non- Jewish prophets what was happening, and they told them the great miracle that G-d performed for the Jews.
Similarly, when G-d Revealed Himself and proclaimed the Ten Commandments to the Jews at Mount Sinai, the world trembled and then stood still; there wasn’t a sound. This prompted the people to ask the non-Jewish prophets about this phenomenon and they were told that G-d was proclaiming the Ten Commandments and giving the Torah to the Jews.
Of all the inhabitants of the world who heard these wonders, Yisro was the only one who was stirred by them and actually picked himself up and joined the Jewish nation.
Commentaries explain that although the Torah tells us that Yisro expressed awe about G-d miraculously taking the Jews out of Egypt, that wasn’t enough to convince Yisro to join, because Yisro was quite familiar with the powerful Egyptian regime. He knew that if the Jews were enslaved they had no way out. Egypt was the world power and no one could escape its grip, so that when Yisro heard that the Jews were freed, he thought it was only a temporary release and they would be pursued by the Egyptians, which actually happened. However, once he heard that the sea split for the Jews and the Egyptians were drowned he decided to join them.
In fact, earlier on, Yisro was actually an advisor to the Pharoh. When the Pharoh, due to the surge in the birthrate of the Jews, felt threatened by them he asked his advisors their opinion about the “Jewish problem.” Yisro did not want to be part of the discussion, and he took off, running away from Egypt.
A question is raised; why did three Sages in the Medrash state different reasons for what Yisro heard, that inspired him to join the Jewish people? Why didn’t they agree on what truly convinced him to come?
Perhaps, what the Medrash may be teaching us is that all these reasons were valid, however, each Sage chose a reason that truly resonated with them and felt that if they were in Yisro’s shoes this would have been what inspired them. One said it was the splitting of the Red Sea, the other said it was the war against Amalek and the third said that it was G-d giving the Torah to the Jews.
We can learn a lesson from the Medrash that when it comes to what inspires and what moves a person towards spirituality, whether it’s something beautiful they witnessed, a touching story or beautiful or deep insight, each person possesses their own unique barometer of what moves them and how it translates to personal inspiration and spiritual growth.
The key is to listen, take in, and look for that which may inspire and uplift us throughout our lifetime adventure of striving for greater ideals!
Years ago, Larry King met Rabbi Noach Weinberg, a man who had a unique ability to inspire Jews to reappraise their Jewish values.
The two got into a spirited discussion about spirituality, and Larry was skeptical.
Reb Noach finally asked Larry straight out why he didn’t believe in G-d.
Larry told him that growing up in Brooklyn he was a big Dodgers fan and one year they were in the World Series against the Yankees and he prayed so hard for the Dodgers to win; and they lost!
Reb Noach, also from Brooklyn, leaned across the desk and said, “Larry, I was praying for the Yankees!”
