Parsha Points to Ponder

Parsha Points to Ponder for Parsha Yitro

1) Why does the Torah mention the seemingly not relevant words ACHAR SHILUCHEHA (AFTER HE SENT HER AWAY) when describing Yitro bringing Moshe’s wife with him to the Jews in the desert? (18:2)

2) Why does the Torah repeat DO NOT TOUCH IT WITH YOUR HANDS (19:13) after it just mentioned that ANYONE WHO TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN WILL DIE (19:12)?

3) We have all been taught that the first five commandments include laws between man and G-D while the second five consist of laws between man and his fellow man. In fact, this teaching has led to a variety of commentaries explaining why honoring parents is included in the laws between man and G-D. Is there any indication in the Torah, itself, that the first five laws are between man and G-D and the second five between man and man?

Answers - Ponder the questions first and then look here

1) The Ohr HaChayim teaches that this serves to demonstrate the greatness of Yitro. Moshe had sent his wife, Tzipora, back to Midyan. Yitro could have easily taken this action as a justification to keep Tzipora and her sons with him in Midyan and to raise them based on his faith. But, he did not do so. He brought Tzipora and the boys to the Jewish people despite the fact that this was AFTER HE SENT HER AWAY.
2) The Da’at Z’kainim MiBaalei HaTos’fot explain that these words do not refer to the command not to approach the mountain. Rather, they relate to the punishment of death which the Torah just mentioned and then continues right after these words describing how a violator should be stoned. These words teach that they should take care to stone the person from far away and not risking coming close to the mountain to kill him lest they accidentally come to touch it.
3) The Kli Yakar answers that in every one of the first five commandments, including honoring parents, there is mention of HASHEM YOUR G-D, while in the last five commandments G-D is not mentioned once. This indicates that the first five relate to man and G-D while the second five have nothing to do with man and G-D.

Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi Dov Lipman who teaches at Reishit Yerushalayim and Machon Maayan in Beit shemesh and is the author of “DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and Adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith” (Feldheim) and “TIMEOUT: Sports Stories as a Game Plan for Spiritual Success” (Devora) His Hagada commentary, “FOUNDATIONS” will be published by Targum before Pesach
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