Stories on the Parsha

Why Did You Come To Me?

Rav Avrohom of Slonim Baranovitch, once turned to one of his followers and asked him:

“What did Yisro hear when he ‘came’? He heard of the splitting of the sea and of the war with Amalek.” (Rashi Yisro 18:1 from Zevachim 116a, and Mechilta, combining the views of Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer )

Some people come to me to be enlightened by the spiritual avodas Hashem like the splitting of the sea. Others come to me because they are battling their inner foes - the evil one, the yetzer hara - like the war with Amalek.

Tell me, why did you come to me; for which purpose are you here?” (Based on Intro to Bais Avrohom)