Parshah #17 · Saturday, 30 January 2027
Yitro
יִתְרוֹ
Summary of the Parshah
Jethro's visit and his advice on judges, and the Revelation at Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments.
📖 Studying the Parshah
Parshat Yitro contains one of the most momentous events in human history: the Revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments.
The parshah is named after Yitro (Jethro), Moses' father-in-law and priest of Midian. Having heard of the miracles G-d performed for Israel, he comes to the desert to join his son-in-law. Seeing Moses judge the people from morning to night, Yitro advises him to set up a system of judges for the different groups. Moses accepts the advice and organizes justice for the people.
The heart of the parshah is the Revelation at Sinai (Matan Torah): G-d descends upon the mountain amid fire, thunder and lightning, and before the entire people proclaims the Ten Commandments, the foundation of universal ethics.