Translated by Netzach Sapir

Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, is one of the most positively presented characters in the Torah. In the portion which bears his name, we see that even Moshe has something to learn from him.

The portion begins with a joyous family reunion. Yitro reunites Moshe with his wife and his children, Yitro’s daughter and grandsons, and the Torah tells of the excitement of the moment: kisses and catching up, and even Moshe’s bowing to Yitro.

But the next day is

Translated by Netzach Sapir

Bnei Yisrael waited hundreds of years for the day when they would go free from the yoke of Egyptian slavery. When at last it comes, there was no time to savor the moment. Bnei Yisrael had to get up and leave immediately! In another moment the opportunity would be lost – the Egyptians will arrive and it will be too late. The story of the exodus teaches us not to miss opportunities, but this is no easy task. Often, by the time we finish examining the

Translated by Netzach Sapir

The Missing Name

Parshat Shmot opens with the story of Moshe Rabbeinu, who grows up to be the most important of all Israel’s leaders, the greatest of all the prophets, and the primary personality in the saga of the Exodus from Egypt and the journey to the Land of Israel. But in telling the story, the Torah omits one of the most basic biographic details – nowhere does it say the name that Moshe receives from his parents at birth. We know Moshe only