On the weekly Torah Portion
And Yitro [Jethro], the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law...and Yitro, father-in-law of Moses (Ex. 18:1, 2)
Why is “father-in-law” mentioned twice in describing Yitro? Yitro was an important man in his own right. As the “priest of Midian,” he already enjoyed a high status. Yet he chose to be known as “Moses’ father-in-law,” for he knew this was his true claim to greatness. (Ohr Hachayim)
You shall select out of all the people...men of truth, hating bribe (18:21)
You will have to search hard to find these people, Yitro counseled Moses, for men possessing these qualities usually run away from positions of honor and do not sit idle all day, enabling you to find them easily. (Shaar Bat Rabim)
And Yitro heard...and he came...to Moses (18:1-5)
What did Yitro hear to cause him to seek out Moses? He heard of the miracles of the Red Sea and the war against Amalek. These events aroused in him a strong belief in G-d, and he set off. Why did he need to see Moses personally? Yitro knew that in order to learn Torah pro-perly, he couldn’t rely on second-hand information. He had to go to the leader of the generation and learn from him directly. (Sichot Tzadikim)
You shall sanctify today and tomorrow, and they shall wash their clothes (19:10)
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi once said, “You shall sanctify today and tomorrow” refers to the G-dliness and holiness that is bestowed from Above; “and they shall wash their clothes” refers to the effort that each of us must make on his own behalf.
His grandson, the Tzemach Tzedek, elaborated: “The command to sanctify ‘today and tomorrow’ was given to Moses, and indeed, in every generation, the tzadik and leader of that generation has the power to elevate the world and imbue it with more holiness. However, this must first be preceded by the preparation of ‘washing the clothes.’ Each individual must first work on himself to cleanse the garments of his soul--his thoughts, deeds and actions--before asking for help from Above.”
