Matan Torah and Parsha Yitro

This week's Torah portion, called Parsha Yitro, describes the historical event of Matan Torah, or the Giving of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai. In May, we will celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates this most joyous and momentous event of Jewish history.

This week, as I read a rabbi's commentary on the Parsha, I was amazed by its timeliness and relevancy in today's world. The Bible tells the story of the Jewish people uniting and spiritually uplifting each other in order to receive Torah. According to the Bible, Hashem gave the Torah to the Jewish people only after they had elevated themselves to a higher spiritual level, through commitment and unity.

This week, at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews clashed, in a manifestation of the debate about who qualifies as a Jew. Rather than spiritually uplifting each other and coming together, we are fighting amongst ourselves.

I don't want to start a lengthy debate on who is right and who is wrong on the hot issue of Jewish observance and legitimacy. Rather, I would like to focus on the miracle that occurs when a book that is thousands of years old offers wisdom and insight on the complicated events of our world in 1999. This is when Judaism is at its best. Similarly, we, as a people, are at our strongest when we are cohesive and at peace.

Follow these links for in-depth discussion of Parsha Yitro and Matan Torah:

Matan Torah, According to Rashi
A straightforward outline and interpretation, according to one of our greatest sages.

Ten Commandments
A look at the Ten Commandments as a distillation of the 613 Mitzvot of the Torah.

Torah Tots - Parsha Yitro
This children's web site features a "Parsha on Parade" section with fun activities for kids.

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