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General Overview:<\/strong> In this week\u2019s reading of Yitro, Moses\u2019 father-in-law, Jethro, arrives at the Israelite encampment and advises them to set up a smoothly functioning legal system. The Israelites experience the divine revelation at Mount Sinai, and hear the Ten Commandments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First Aliyah<\/a>: Jethro, Moses\u2019 father-in-law, having heard about all the miracles that G\u2011d wrought for the Israelites, came from his native Midian to the Israelite desert encampment\u2014bringing along Moses\u2019 wife and two sons. Moses warmly greeted his father-in-law, and recounted to him all that G\u2011d<\/a> had done to the Egyptians. Jethro thanked G\u2011d for all the miracles, and offered thanksgiving sacrifices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second Aliyah<\/a>: Jethro observed Moses adjudicating all the disputes that arose among the Israelites. Jethro suggested to Moses that such a system, one that placed such a great burden on Moses\u2019 shoulders, would eventually wear him down. Instead, he advised Moses to appoint a hierarchy of wise and righteous judges, and to delegate his responsibilities\u2014with Moses presiding only over the most difficult cases. This would also free up Moses\u2019 time to teach the Israelites the teachings of the Torah that he hears from G\u2011d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third Aliyah<\/a>: Moses accepted his father-in-law\u2019s suggestion, and set up a hierarchical judicial system. Jethro then returned to his native land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fourth Aliyah<\/a>: Six weeks after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived in the Sinai Desert and encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses ascended the mountain, where G\u2011d gave him a message to transmit to the people. Included in this message was G\u2011d\u2019s designation of the Israelites as His \u201ctreasure out of all peoples\u201d and a \u201ckingdom of princes and a holy nation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fifth Aliyah<\/a>: Moses conveyed to the people G\u2011d\u2019s words, and the people in turn accepted upon themselves to do all that G\u2011d commands of them. G\u2011d then instructed Moses to have the Israelites prepare themselves, because in three days\u2019 time He would reveal Himself atop the mountain to the entire nation. The Israelites were commanded to sanctify themselves, and were warned not to approach the mountain until after the divine revelation. On the morning of the third day, thunder, lightning, a thick cloud and the piercing sound of a shofar<\/em> emanated from the mountaintop. Mt. Sinai was smoking and trembling, while the sound of the shofar<\/a><\/em> grew steadily louder. Moses escorted the shuddering and frightened nation to the mountain, and settled them at its base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sixth Aliyah<\/a>: G\u2011d descended upon the mountain, and summoned Moses to its summit. G\u2011d instructed Moses to again warn the Israelites about the tragic end that awaited anyone who approaches the mountain itself. Only Moses and his brother Aaron were allowed on the mountain during this time. G\u2011d then spoke the Ten Commandments to the Israelite nation. They are: 1) Belief in G\u2011d. 2) Not to worship idols. 3) Not to take G\u2011d\u2019s name in vain. 4) To keep the Shabbat. 5) To honor parents. 6) Not to murder. 7) Not to commit adultery. 8) Not to steal. 9) Not to bear false witness. 10) Not to covet another\u2019s property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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