Yitro (Hebrew: יִתְרוֹ, "Jethro") is the fifth Torah portion of Exodus, covering Exodus 18:1–20:23. It tells of Jethro's visit and advice, and the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.
Jethro's Visit and Advice
Jethro, priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, hears of all that God did for Moses and Israel. He comes to the wilderness with Zipporah and Moses' two sons. Moses tells him all that the Lord did to Pharaoh. Jethro rejoices: "Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians" (Exodus 18:10). Jethro offers burnt offerings and sacrifices to God; Aaron and the elders eat bread with him.
The next day, Moses sits to judge the people from morning to evening. Jethro asks: "What is this thing that you do to the people? Why sit you yourself alone, and all the people stand by you from morning unto even?" (Exodus 18:14). Moses says: "The people come unto me to inquire of God; when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God" (Exodus 18:15–16). Jethro advises: "The thing that you do is not good. You will surely wear away... You are not able to perform it yourself alone" (Exodus 18:17–18). He advises Moses to teach the people the statutes and laws, and to appoint able men, God-fearing, men of truth, hating covetousness, as rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to judge the small matters, bringing only the great matters to Moses. "So shall it be easier for yourself, and they shall bear the burden with you" (Exodus 18:22). Moses hearkens to his father-in-law and does all that he said.
Preparation at Sinai
In the third month after leaving Egypt, Israel comes to the wilderness of Sinai and camps before the mountain. Moses goes up to God. God says: "Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself. Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:4–6). Moses tells the people; they answer: "All that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exodus 19:8).
God tells Moses to sanctify the people: "Be ready against the third day; for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai" (Exodus 19:11). They are to wash their clothes and abstain from their wives. Bounds are set around the mountain; whoever touches it shall be put to death. On the third day, there are thunders and lightnings, a thick cloud upon the mount, and the sound of a trumpet exceeding loud. The people tremble. Moses brings them out to meet God at the foot of the mount. Mount Sinai is altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire; the smoke ascends as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quakes greatly. The sound of the trumpet waxes louder and louder. Moses speaks; God answers him by a voice.
The Ten Commandments
אָנֹכִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים
"I am the Lord your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." (Exodus 20:2)
God speaks the Ten Commandments (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת):
- I am the Lord your God — the foundation of faith.
- You shall have no other gods — no idolatry; no graven images.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain — no false oaths.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy — six days work, seventh is Sabbath; "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day" (Exodus 20:11).
- Honor your father and your mother — "that your days may be long upon the land" (Exodus 20:12).
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet — your neighbor's house, wife, servant, ox, ass, or anything.
The people see the thunderings, lightnings, the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; they tremble and stand afar off. They say to Moses: "Speak you with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Exodus 20:19). Moses says: "Fear not; for God is come to prove you" (Exodus 20:20). The people stand afar off; Moses draws near unto the thick darkness where God is. God gives further laws: no images of silver or gold; an altar of earth or unhewn stones, with no steps.
Major themes
- Revelation: God's direct revelation at Sinai — the foundation of the Torah.
- Covenant: "If you will obey My voice... you shall be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation."
- Law and ethics: The Ten Commandments as the basis of Jewish law and universal ethics.
- Leadership and delegation: Jethro's advice on judicial administration.
- Holiness and boundaries: The sanctity of Sinai and the need for preparation.
Rashi
Rashi explains that Jethro is called "priest of Midian" and that his advice was accepted because it was wise. On the Ten Commandments, Rashi notes that "I am the Lord your God" is a commandment to believe in God. On "Remember the Sabbath," Rashi says "Remember" (zachor) is the positive commandment and "Keep" (shamor) is the negative; both were said simultaneously.
Ramban
Ramban explains that the Ten Commandments encompass all 613 mitzvot. The first five are between man and God; the last five are between man and man.
Midrashic interpretations
- Mechilta de-Rabbi Ishmael: The Torah was given in the wilderness, in fire, water, and desert — available to all.
- Shemot Rabbah 27:9: God offered the Torah to all nations; only Israel accepted.
- Shemot Rabbah 28:6: "I am the Lord your God" — God spoke to each individual according to their capacity.
- Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer 41: The Ten Commandments were written on two tablets: five on each, with the first five (God-man) on one and the last five (man-man) on the other.
Haftarah
The haftarah (Isaiah 6:1–7:6; 9:5–6) describes Isaiah's vision of God's throne and his call to prophecy. It includes the famous verse: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). The haftarah connects to the theme of divine revelation.
References
- Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 (Masoretic Text)
- Rashi, Commentary on the Torah
- Ramban, Commentary on the Torah
- Ibn Ezra, Commentary on the Torah
- Mechilta de-Rabbi Ishmael (Midrash)
- Shemot Rabbah (Midrash)
- The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus (Nahum M. Sarna, 1991)
- Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary (JPS, 2001)
- Sefaria.org, "Yitro" (parasha)