ParshatÂ
Why are Mosheâs sons rarely mentioned in the Torah?
What are the different models for gentiles to participate in Israelâs mission?
In what way must the children of Israel process the Torah in order to make it accessible to the rest of humanity?
Parshat Yitro largely focuses on the relationship thatâs meant to exist between Israel and the rest of humanity. As this is also the weekly Torah portion that includes Israel receiving the Torah, we should appreciate these two themes to be inexorably linked. This is the parsha where we are shown the Torahâs understanding of what our relationship is meant to be with the outside world.
What incident made the Egyptians so fearful of the children of Israel?
Why was it so important to Moshe that he kill the Egyptian overseer when he could have simply ordered him to stop beating the Hebrew slave?
What was the incident with Moshe nearly being killed at the inn for not circumcising his son really about?
Parshat Shâmot begins by presenting Israelâs transition from a clan to a people. The first verses of the parsha offer us an overview of Israelâs roots, of which there are two complementary aspects â the twelve tribes, represented by Yaakovâs sons, and the seventy souls, who are all Yaakovâs direct biological descendants.