Art by Sefira Lightstone
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY
We’ve all received unsolicited advice, right? And we’ve all responded by half-listening, when really, we’re not. It’s like our mind forms an instant emotional blockade: “You have no idea what it’s like to be me, and who are you to tell me how to do what I do?”
This week’s Parsha (Yitro) contains the Ten Commandments after the Jewish people arrive at Mt. Sinai. It is called Yitro after Moses’s father-in-law who converted to Judaism upon seeing the miracles that G-d created for the Jewish people. Immediately after becoming a member of the Tribe, Yitro offers advice to Moses on how to be a more effective leader: Rather than sitting all day hearing about various issues and squabbles and complaints, Moses should create a system of higher and lower courts. Better for Moses, better for the folks who have to wait in interminable lines to receive guidance in these matters. What is Moses’s response to Yitro? He immediately puts this plan in action. Let’s think for a moment. Moses is the new leader of a people who were essentially untouchable. They beat the Egyptians and now had wealth, and were flying high! This new fellow (granted, he’s Moses’s father-in-law but that can go either way!) arrives on the scene and starts telling Moses how to do his business. Seriously?! Moses could have easily responded, “You do realize I spoke to G-d, cast plagues upon a superpower, beat them senseless, and split a sea. Your free advice is worth every penny.” But Moses takes it. Why? Because of Moses’s legendary humility. This allowed him to be receptive to the new—just because something is good doesn’t mean it can’t get better. We may do something well, we may have a certain talent, but we have an obligation to maximize it, and to include others in the process. Yes, Moses was a fabulous leader, but part of leadership is receptiveness to others so everyone can benefit. So let us do our best to listen to others and hope that together, we can all become better!
Good Shabbos!