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Parshat Yitro
2001
Exodus 18:1-20:23
Last week, we began our journey from the narrow and constricting conditions of Egypt, to our destiny in the Land of Israel. Shortly after the crossing of the Sea, we move into the desert, the wilderness known by its Hebrew name, Sin (chapter 16, verse 1). The name of this desert is somewhat curious to the eyes of those of us who know English, because "sin" is a well-known concept in religion. Yet, this Hebrew word has nothing to do with the English word "sin." Instead, it is more closely related to the word Sinai, both the vast desert and the mountain where we received the Torah.
The first reference in the Torah to Sinai takes place in this week's Torah portion (chapter 19, verse 1). The first three letters of the Hebrew spelling of Sinai are exactly the same as the Hebrew spelling of Sin. The only difference is that an additional letter, the Hebrew letter yud, appears at the end of the word Sinai. Why an additional letter? Why the letter yud?
The commentary to the Torah penned by the Ba'al HaTurim offers an insight into this, noting: "Initially, this place was called the wilderness of Sin, yet ultimately it is referred to as Sinai. The letter that was added, a yud, symbolizes the 10 commandments." (commentary to Numbers, 33:11) We know what awaits us at Mount Sinai. In order to make it there, all that is necessary is to add one thing to the equation. What is that thing? A quick examination of Hebrew not only as a series of letters and sounds, but also as letters that have numerical values, is quite instructive. As an example, the Hebrew letter aleph has a numerical value - the number 1. Bet = 2, Gimel = 3, and so on. The numerical value for the Hebrew letter yud is 10. Hence, what we were missing in the wilderness of Sin, namely the 10 commandments, we picked up at Sinai.
As a people, many of our formative experiences take place in the wilderness. As a lead up to receiving the Torah, the first two verses of chapter 19 in this week's Torah portion make reference to the wilderness. The Hebrew word for wilderness or desert is miDBaR (note: most Hebrew words are built off of three-letter roots. I have capitalized the root letters DBR of this word). The Hebrew root DBR has a range of meaning mostly connected to "words," "speaking," and "having a conversation." It is in this miDBaR, therefore, that we receive 'aseret ha-DiBRot (Hebrew for The 10 Commandments; literally, the 10 statements). In Hebrew, these concepts fit quite naturally and poetically. You go to the miDBaR to get 'aseret ha-DiBRot. But you also go to the miDBaR for something else. And, in order to understand what this is, we have to look at Aramaic, one of Hebrew's sister languages. In Aramaic, the root DBR means "to lead." It was not until we entered the miDBaR that Moses could emerge as a leader. It also was not until the events of the Sea and Sinai in the miDBaR that we were in the position for a new type of leadership, with a new guidebook. Finally, it was not until we joined together in the miDBaR that we were ready to be led, not as slaves bowing to Pharaoh's will, but willingly and lovingly as best exemplified by the words: 'All that the Lord hath spoken (DiBeiR) we will do.' (chapter 19, verse 8)
Shemot (Exodus), Chapter 16
1. And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
Shemot (Exodus), Chapter 19
1. In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
2. And when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount.
3. And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying: 'Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:
4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself.
5. Now therefore, if ye will hearken unto My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be Mine own treasure from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine;
6. and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.'
7. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord commanded him.
8. And all the people answered together, and said: 'All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.' And Moses reported the words of the people unto the Lord.
Prepared by Rabbi Andy Koren, Campus Rabbi, Hillel Foundation at the University of Florida
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