The vision of Jethro

This Torah portion is named after Jethro, the chief idolatrous priest of his time, who eventually joined the ranks of the Jews.

Rashi says it was the splitting of the Sea of Reeds and the attack by Amalek immediately after that that brought Jethro to the Jewish people.

What is it about these two events that convinced Jethro to come forward?

The first was the precision of the cosmic stroke of justice that brought about the splitting of the Sea of Reeds. Jethro recognised that there was an unparalleled formidable force in existence. This force had control over the mighty seas, winds, even control over time, as was seen in the salvation of Israel and the execution of her enemy. But more-so, Jethro saw that this force was awake to all events in history. How so? The drowning of the Egyptians wasn’t a randomly selected means of elimination. The Egyptians had drowned Jewish baby boys by throwing them into the river Nile. The very same fate had now befallen them.

It meant that this force monitored history, held actions accountable, and did so with perfect control of all elements. Jethro hadn’t encountered such a force in all the idolatrous gods he had worshipped and studied.

The second impetus to join the Jewish nation was the realisation that one can have something clearly stare one in the face, yet not only can one miss or deny it, one can fight against it vehemently.

Jethro came forward when he heard of the attack of Amalek on the Israelites. The supernatural salvation of Israel was so blunt, that no-one in their right mind would try challenge it. Amalek did just this, and nogal, immediately after the divine manifestation in all its blazing glory. Jethro realised that man can be so blind to his own desires, hatred, jealousy, or pursuit of honour, that he’s closed to the truth even if it stares him in the face. Jethro had a moment of true self-reflection, and didn’t allow self-prejudice to get in the way. His conclusion was that this was the truth, and if was true, he must acknowledge it and go towards it, even if it was inconvenient, demanded change, or if he had to move out of his comfort zone for it.

The lessons are clear. First, to open our eyes and notice the strokes of the Divine Hand in our lives and in history, and to respond by coming forward as Jethro did. Second, to reflect on the blindness of Amalek and its trapping, and conversely, the courage of Jethro to see the truth and not allow his ego to obstruct this vision, ultimately leading him to come forward to the gates of truth, to Hashem and the Torah.