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Parsha

Date: 12 Shevat 5785 / 10.2.25

Parsha: Yitro: Exodus 18:1-12

 

This week’s parsha is called Yitro, named after Moshe’s father-in-law, Yitro. In this parsha, Yitro visits the Israelites in the desert and sees that Moshe is very busy solving all the people’s problems on his own. Yitro gives him advice: he tells Moshe to choose wise and trustworthy leaders to help him judge the people. This way, Moshe won’t be too tired, and everyone will get help more quickly.

 

Later in the parsha, something amazing happens—Hashem (God) gives the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. There is thunder, lightning, and a loud shofar sound as Hashem speaks to them. The people are scared but also know that this is a very special moment.

 

Key Lessons from Parshat Yitro:

  1. Good leaders listen to advice – Moshe was a great leader, but he still listened to Yitro’s advice. This teaches us that even smart people can learn from others.
  2. Sharing responsibilities is important – Moshe couldn’t do everything alone. We also need to ask for help when we need it.
  3. The Ten Commandments guide us – Hashem gave rules to help us live good and kind lives. These include respecting our parents, not hurting others, and keeping Shabbat.

 

Takeaway Message:

Just like Moshe learned from Yitro, we should always be open to learning from others. The Ten Commandments remind us how to be good people and live the way Hashem wants us to.

Thought of Rabbi Sacks

 

1. Learning from Others

Rabbi Sacks explained that Moshe was the greatest leader, but even he needed advice. When Yitro saw that Moshe was doing everything alone, he suggested choosing helpers to share the work. This teaches us that no one can do everything by themselves—we all need to listen and learn from others.

 

Lesson: If even Moshe, the leader of the Israelites, could learn from someone else, then we should always be open to learning from teachers, parents, and friends!

 

2. The Ten Commandments: Rules That Make Us Better

Rabbi Sacks taught that rules are not just there to tell us what not to do—they help us live good, meaningful lives. The Ten Commandments help people treat each other with kindness and respect.

 

Lesson: The best way to live is to be kind, honest, and respectful to others. The Ten Commandments help us do this every day.

 

3. Becoming a Nation of Responsibility

Rabbi Sacks often spoke about how the Jewish people became more than just a group of people in this parsha—they became a nation with a shared mission. When they received the Torah at Mount Sinai, they were not just given laws but a responsibility to bring goodness and kindness into the world.

 

Even small actions—being kind to a friend, helping at home—can make a big difference!*

 

Final Thought from Rabbi Sacks

Rabbi Sacks always reminded children (and adults!) that learning Torah is not just about reading stories—it’s about becoming better people. Parshat Yitro teaches us to listen, to learn, and to live by the values that help make the world a better place.

 

Around the Shabbat Table

 

1. Why did Moshe listen to Yitro’s advice, and what can we learn from this?

💬 Discussion: Yitro saw that Moshe was trying to solve all the people’s problems alone and told him to appoint helpers. Instead of thinking he knew best, Moshe listened and followed Yitro’s advice.

 

✅ Answer: This teaches us that even great leaders need advice and help. We should always be open to learning from others, whether its our parents, teachers, or friends.

 

2. Why do you think the Ten Commandments are so special?

💬 Discussion: The Ten Commandments are different from other mitzvot because Hashem gave them directly to the people at Mount Sinai. They include laws about how we treat Hashem (like believing in Him and keeping Shabbat) and how we treat each other (like not stealing or lying).

 

✅ Answer: The Ten Commandments are special because they teach us how to live a good lifebeing kind, honest, that laws help us, not just tell us what we cant do!

 

3. How did the Jewish people prepare to receive the Torah, and what does that teach us about important moments?

💬 Discussion: Hashem told the people to get ready for three days before He gave the Torah. They washed their clothes, stayed pure, and gathered together at the mountain.

 

✅ Answer: This teaches us that preparing for important things makes them more meaningful. Just like we get ready for Shabbat by setting the table and lighting candles, or study before a big test, the Jewish people prepared to receive the Torah to show how special it was.

 

 

 

Parsha summary adapted from Chabad.org and Rabbi Sacks Legacy

The weekly mitzvot are adapted from the PAJES Primary Parashat Hashavua Curriculum, and form the basis of the school's PSHE curriculum for all pupils alongside the Torah, Well Being and Me curriculum.