This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Yitro, is named after Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. In the Torah, Jethro is the one person who is Moses’ equal. A Midianite Priest, Jethro has experience in leadership and knew Moses prior to his ascension to the head of the Israelites. He is the one person who can tell Moses “how it is” and be listened to. Here, Moses is still in his first one hundred days in office, and desperately needs a guiding hand. Jethro appears at the beginning of the portion as an escort for Moses’ wife Zipporah and his two sons Gershon and Eliezer. Upon entering the Israelite camp, Jethro rejoices in the triumph of the Israelites over the mighty Egyptians, and then spends the day with his son-in-law, watching as Moses decides case after case of disagreements between individual community members.
“The thing that you do is not good,” Jethro tells Moses, noting that if he continues to be one and only judge of the people he will become “worn out” along with the Israelites, for, he tells him, “this matter is too hard for you, you will not be able to do it alone.” He then suggests that Moses set up a system of governance, where leaders of different tribes take control of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Something that Moses gladly agrees to do, helping set the tone for how the people will proceed through the wilderness.
We all need good mentors. I think back to the many that I have had in my career. I am most grateful to Rabbi Fredi Cooper, who was my boss in my first job out of rabbinical school, working for the Reconstructionist movement. For a little more than a year, we worked in a small office in Jenkintown, PA, almost side by side. Whatever questions I had, she always had the answers. Now, almost a decade and half into my rabbinical career, I continue to go to her when I need help. This coming June she is retiring from her work with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. I am so grateful for all the sage advice she has given to me over the years, and I wish her nothing but blessings as she enters a new phase in her life. I know she will continue to be a role model for me both as a rabbi and as a person. This Shabbat I encourage you to thank and bless the mentors you have in your life and appreciate how they have helped to make you the person you are today.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex
Last Updated on 02/17/2017 by wpadm