Parshas Yisro- Faith in the Parfect System

A Parsha named after an individual. A rarity in the Torah. Yisro was obviously an important person. This requires us to understand his life and accomplishments, and learn from them.

In Parshas Shemos, Hashem commanded Moshe to travel from Midian to Mitzrayim to redeem the Jewish people. Moshe, after taking leave of his father-in-law, gathered his wife and children and traveled to Egypt. Although Moshe arrived in Mitzrayim, it is not clear from the pesukim what became of his family. Rashi (Yisro 18:2) explains that Aharon had left Egypt to greet the approaching Moshe. When he saw Moshe’s family, he recommended not bringing them to Mitzrayim. “We are already pained about the Jews in Egypt, and you want to add to them?!” Moshe then told Tzippora to travel back to Midian with the children. She took them and returned to her father.

After the Jews exited Mitzrayim, Yisro heard about the Exodus, and traveled to the desert to join them. He brought Tzippora and the children with him.  The verses express the great honor Moshe and the Jews afforded Yisro upon his arrival. Moshe successfully inspired Yisro to a greater degree, and eventually sent him back to Midian to convert the rest of his family.

The pesukim tell us that Yisro saw Moshe acting in a way of which he disapproved. Moshe was the sole judge, judging the entire Jewish populous. He was attempting to resolve the problems of the nation by himself. Yisro found this system to be faulty. “… this thing that you are doing is not good (18:17)” Rashi (18:13) explains that Yisro’s concern was that the Jews needed to stand for extended periods of time, waiting to be judged, while Moshe sat like a king. He therefore suggested a reformed justice system. There should be tiered levels of judges. The simpler issues would be dealt with by the lower level judges. The more difficult would be presented to Moshe. This way, people would be serviced faster and more efficiently.

A Gabbai had been servicing a Shul for ten years. He had accomplished great successes during his dedicated tenure. He was wholeheartedly involved in the tzibbur. A guest entered the Shul and approached the Gabbai. “I see how you are doing things here. However, I think you should reform the system entirely.” Under normal circumstances, the Gabbai would certainly react with disbelief at the suggestion. How could a new person attempt to change the entire system after just arriving in the Shul?

In a similar vein, Yisro joined the Jewish people and almost immediately suggested to Moshe reformation. Moshe accepted without question. What position of authority allowed Yisro this power of suggestion?

Yisro had a colorful background. The verse states that after Moshe inspired him, Yisro exclaimed “now I know that Hashem is greater than all other gods” (18:11).  Rashi states that there was no form of idolatry that Yisro had not attempted.

 In general, there is a prohibition to remind a convert of his negative behaviors in his past life. Why does the Torah specifically highlight this history of Yisro?

There seems to be a unique relationship between Yisro and the justice system. In this week’s Parsha he offers advice about the system of judges. In addition, the Gemara (Sotah 11a) teaches that Yisro was one of the advisers of Pharaoh, determining how to deal with the Jewish people. Yisro would not agree to persecute them, and fled. In this merit, Yisro’s descendants would be members of the Sanhedrin, the highest level of the Jewish courts.

How can we understand this phenomenon of Yisro being associated with judges and justice systems?

Yisro was already inspired before arriving in the Jewish camp. The verse teaches (18:11) that Yisro exclaimed (according to Rashi) that I had previously recognized Hashem’s greatness, but now even more so. The pasuk concludes that of all the illustrations of the might of Hashem, the fact that Hashem punished the Egyptians measure for measure, inspired Yisro the most (Rashi). They had attempted to drown the Jewish babies in water, and so was done to them.

Why is this aspect of the geula the primary source of his faith in Hashem?

Yisro was not one who simply worshipped idols. He served every known form of deities. Yisro was searching for something of substance, of truth. In his travels and experiences, he was constantly sorely disappointed. All the foreign gods that he worshipped held no real power. However, the idea that Hashem paid the Mitzri’im back in measure, displayed the truth of the might of Hashem. There is no action that one does that will not be paid back, perfectly. This could be for reward or retribution. This is a basic tenant of Judaism, and lends credence to everything we do and believe in. Upon seeing this, Yisro concluded his search. He recognized that Hashem was the ultimate and perfect Judge, in that He delivers judgement based exactly on the deeds of man.

In Judaism, the epitome of proper judges is one that deliver the exact and appropriate judgement. The verses indicate in many places that there is a relationship between the perfection of Hashem’s judgment, and that which judges should strive for. Yisro was the ideal candidate to offer advice on the justice system. After spending his days searching for a perfect system, he found Hashem. This same mentality enabled him to be an authority figure in reforming the justice system. This was the DNA and emphasis that made his descendants deserved members of the Sanhedrin.

Hashem is the perfect judge. Sometimes we may see this with a clarity, based on the reward or punishment people receive. However, oftentimes this is not readily visible to the simple observer. Even then we know that we can rely on His perfect justice. May we merit to recognize the hand of Hashem throughout our daily lives!

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