Be the solution

While the highlight of this week’s parsha is undoubtedly the revelation of Hashem at Mount Sinai, the preceding narrative shouldn’t be ignored.

Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, observes how the masses would wait in line to have matters adjudicated by Moshe (and don’t we know how Jews love to queue!) Yitro criticizes Moshe, “What you are doing isn’t right! You will surely wear yourself out and these people as well. The task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone!”

But here’s the crux! His words don’t end there. He continues, “Therefore, develop various levels of judges to assist you.”

Yitro doesn’t just criticize. He offers a solution.

It’s a unique person who identifies a problem and thereafter, immediately seeks the solution.

In communal life – so my colleagues tell me – there will always be those who will verbalise the problem (often exaggerating it as well). Let’s be honest, it doesn’t take tremendous insight, sophistication, or aptitude to see problems. Problems exist, and they are often there for everyone to see. But how many of those people will just as eagerly and readily offer up solutions? Very few.

Of course, this isn’t only at communal level. We live in a world where people enjoy pointing out all that’s wrong in others. In Parliament, the seats of the opposition are always the more comfortable ones.

Yes, Yitro criticizes, but he offers a solution. He ensures that the negative is immediately followed by the positive.

Perhaps this is the reason our parsha, which records the historic and transformative event of Hashem’s revelation to His people on Mount Sinai, doesn’t bear a name more suited to this event such as Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) or Aseret Hadibrot (the ten utterances), but rather the name Yitro.

Yitro merits this reward for the important and timeless lesson he teaches. Anyone can criticize and point out faults, but that doesn’t resolve the problem. If one sees the problem, one should try equally hard to see the solution.

In a world that tends to be problem-oriented, let’s strive to be solution-oriented. Perhaps we can go one step further, to be solution-committed. Not only should we devise the solution, we should strive to be part of its active implementation.

Though I have focused on the qualities of Yitro, let’s not forget the lesson taught by our great teacher, Moshe Rabbeinu. If we receive positive criticism, let’s be humble enough to implement it, and gracious enough to say, “Thank you”.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and safe Shabbos!