Recap for 18 Sh'vat 5775 (Parsha Yitro)

This Shabbos we discussed the 2 ways in which the Torah can apply: to us as a nation, and to us as individuals.  We discussed the week’s Parsha Yitro, including commentary by both Efroni Schlesinger and Rav Yeager.  And we continued our study of Rav Malamed – this week focusing on Purim.

David spoke about how we experience the Torah in two different ways: as a nation, and as an individual.  One example we looked at is the idea of the “world to come”. As an individual we will experience this when our soul returns to the spiritual world of the creator.  As a nation we will experience this when we reach the messianic era.

Another example is our redemption from Egypt. As a nation we experienced a sudden and decisive redemption, followed by a slower process to our final redemption. As individuals we may experience enslavement in our lives. This enslavement may be mental and not physical at all.  Hopefully we can be redeemed from this enslavement.

This Shabbos we talked about Shabbos and what role we play in making it holy. One of the questions we asked is whether Shabbos is intrinsically holy, or do we make it holy? I suggested that maybe the answer is both.

David talked about how we have the ability to extend the time for Shabbos. Although there are limitations, we can start Shabbos early, and/or we can end Shabbos late. Regardless of whether or not we extend Shabbos, there is something very special to the day that seems to be intrinsic, but we certainly can add to the holiness in certain ways.

In fact, in this week’s parsha, we receive the 10 commandments, one of which is how we are commanded to make Shabbos holy. Efroni comments in his dvar Torah, how in the current parsha Yitro, Hashem commands us to both remember (Zachor) and guard (Shamor) Shabbos. Hashem communicates these 2 words, zachor and shamor, at the same time. Efroni comments how we hear the word zachor in parsha Yitro, and then later in parsha Veletchanan we have to be reminded of the other word, shamor.

We talked about how this is similar to hearing 2 songs at the same time. If we really like one of the songs, that is the one that we are going to hear. Likewise, we really like to hear about the simchah of Shabbos – the festivities, food and drink, and do not like to hear as much about the “guarding” part, which includes the laws and all the work we are forbidden to do.

We discussed how when we are first introduced to Judaism, whether as a Baal Teshuva, or as a child, it is important that we experience plenty of the “zachor” part. I remember when I was first exposed to Judaism in Memphis. If the Rabbi had pulled me aside and told me you are going to have to wake up at 530 AM to go to minyan, and can no longer eat out at restuarants, I would have lost any motivation I had to experience Judaism further.

But the Rabbi did not do this.  At his house, he offered up festivities, interesting learning, food, socializing and drink which was very attractive to me.  Only later on did I find out about having to wake up early and no longer being able to go to restaurants! 

David commented that the first thing that his children remember about Shabbos is the “zachor” part as well. Now I know that guarding Shabbos enhances the “remembering” part. Hashem knew we would only listen to the zachor part but gave us both to let us know in his Torah that both words are important.

This Shabbos we discussed Rav Yeager’s commentary on the parsha. Although the parsha is aboutYitro, is this really the time he arrived or is the parsha out of chronological order? And if it is out of chronological order, why is Yitro mentioned in the parsha now?

We discussed how including Yitro in the parsha, makes us aware of some of the prerequisites of receiving the Torah.  One of the prerequisites is that we need to have a system of disseminating Torah.  The system of having one Torah scholar, and everyone lining up to learn from him is not sustainable.  That is why Yitro appears in the parsha to tell Moshe to set up a system of more than one decision maker and leader.

Perhaps the biggest pre-requiste of receiving Torah, is that we have to be open minded.  Yitro was known as someone who was very open minded.  He accepted the idea that there could be a power greater than man.  We compared this to Pharaoh who thought everything was about him.

We discussed Rav Malamed and his discussion of Purim.  We discussed the idea that as Jews we have intrinsic holiness regardless of what we choose to do.  We discussed that even if we wanted to assimilate into the host culture, it isn't going to work.  Even those who tried to become Greek or German were rejected by the host culture.

Finally, David talked about how we should be very grateful to be part of this country, with its freedom and democracy.  And how we should participate in and celebrate our nations holidays such as thanksgiving and the 4rth of July.

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.