PARSHA "YITRO" EXODUS 18 - 20

PARSHA: "YITRO":    EXODUS 18:1-20:23  ,   ISAIAH 6:1   , HEBREWS 12:18-24
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Shabbat shalom to all.  We are looking at this week's Parsha "Yitro" where we are introduced to the Ten Commandments, as some refer to as the "Ketuba shel Israel"  (The marriage contract between Elohim and Israel).  I would like to look at those ten basic mitzvoth, But first, we see the wisdom in Jethro, Moshe's father-in-law, when he tells Moshe "the work is too heavy on you" to sit and judge millions of people, We see the wisdom of leadership, of dividing the work among others, to help complete the job.  One single person can not do it all, we need the help and cooperation of ALL, Ministry is a "team effort" not to be done by a "lone ranger" 


The Ten Commandments:  a brief midrash,  


Exodus 20:2   "Anochi YHVH Eloheiha" (I AM the LORD thy GOD)


Elohim says "Anochi" which is a way of emphasizing the pronoun "I" meaning "I myself" and uses his most holy name, YHVH, and "Your God" from "Elohim" He wants to stress that HE and ONLY HE is God, even though Israel was surrounded by hundreds of false Egyptian deities, HE alone IS GOD, so one can say that the very first commandment is to BELIEVE ON HIM, YHVH (himself) and accept no other gods, because it was YHVH who took Israel out of Egypt, under the guidance of Moshe, and who brought Israel to this same mountain, to become an organized nation of priests, from an undisciplined pack of slaves. 
.......THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE.................. 
There are so many religions that pride themselves on images of their gods, even statues of saints, Jesus's-under-glass, etc, and when one visits places , perhaps as a tourist, one can see many bowing, bending the knee and praying to these, but YHVH says NO! the golden calf did not go over to well with YHVH, we are to worship YHVH in "Spirit and in Truth" not having a statue, picture, in front of us to, let's say "help us to imagine HIM" No one knows what Yeshua really looked like, . Doesn't mean we can't have a pic of grandma and grandpa, "images" are "those things that people use to pray to or meditate on for worship purpose" YHVH says NO.
.......THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN....
How many times have we mentioned God's name in jest, expressions like "Oh my God" or "Gee Wiz" similar to "Jesus" or "Lordy, Lordy look whose 40!" or just "good Lord, what have you done now Jack?.." do any of these expressions have to do with our worship of YHVH? or are they just expressions of "surprise" ? YHVH says that His name is HOLY and we should use his name in Holiness and in worship, not in expressions of surprise in loose conversations, also, making promises using his name, and not fulfilling them, that is taking his name in vain, or dishonor, even not behaving like a true believer and follower of Yeshua is "taking his name in vain" One should think twice, even three times before we utter his Holy name,
.......REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY......................
YHVH rested on the 7th day, this is the day we also should rest, not to be occupied in work, making money, doing what is not necessary.  The day of rest, the Shabbat should be spent in fellowship in our local synagogue, (Kehilah) or many go to a church (but on Sundays) study and hear God's Word, and just relax and enjoy the fellowship with others, YHVH gives the example in creation, and we should follow HIS example.
...............HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER...............................
When we look to ourselves as to who we are, who can we thank? Mom and Pop? yes, in part, they took us on as babies and raised us to love YHVH and to honor HIM (at least that is what they are supposed to do) they gave us food, free room and board, sent us to school, and advised us in many things in life, to make good decisions.  Yes, there are moms and dads that went the way of the world, did a bang up job in rearing their children, well, they will have to answer to YHVH some day for that, but, for those of us that were raising my loving folks, we are to honor them, and respect them, not speak evil of them, forgive them if they have offended us, not to refer to them as "my old man" or "my old lady" even though they might be old these days, they deserve our respect. It might come on our shoulders to care for them, when they can not care for themselves.
...............THOU SHALT NOT MURDER, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTRY
                THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.....................................................................
We see these three mentioned together, and rightly so, many sins involve the three of these. When one commits adultery, one is "murdering" a marital relationship, and one is "stealing" what doesn't belong to you.  Even if one comes back late from lunch break, and the boss notices it, you are "murdering" the trust and respect the boss might have for you, and you are "stealing" time that rightfully belongs to who you work for. Yeshua even expands on this, even "thinking of another woman in lustful way, makes you an adulterer" and you are giving your thoughts and imaginations that should be only for your wife, to another, These are Yeshua's words, He hits the target very deeply.
.....................THOU SHALT NOT COVET............................................................
how many people try to "keep up with the neighbors" in buying this and that, many times, there are fights, jealously over "possession of things" why can't we just be content with what YHVH has given us already? if He thinks we need more, He will give us more, in HIS perfect timing, I think this is one of the worst of all sins, to covet what others have, because of that, wars begin, to get another country's land, possessions, people, etc.  Paul had the right idea, be content with food, and clothing, and shelter, no matter how humble, a lot more riches await us in Heaven, just remember that, and when we leave this earth, who will get all of our "STUFF?" ( the in-laws and the out-laws probably) and a lot will end up in the thrift stores or in garage sales. So, be content with what you have, there are so many people who have even less, and they are content.
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ISAIAH 6:1-7:6  


"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOST, THE WHOLE EARTH IS FILLED WITH HIS GLORY"
When we look at the earth, and all the creation in it, we can only realize that YHVH is behind all things that live, and every thing in it, has it's roots in HIM, who is KADOSH, All things were made perfect, yet man in his sin brought destruction and ruin, yet the LORD still loves and forgives, and born again man kind should also strive for "holiness" to be "like HIM"
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HEBREWS 12:18-24


comparison is made between Mt. Sinai and Mt Zion.  Before YHVH on Sinai, HE could not be approached because of the fire, Mt Sinai was off limits, yet, Under the New Covenant, Yeshua CAN be reached, related to, fellowshipped with, How better is the New Covenant than the old, Abel's blood was "covered" yet our blood has been "cleansed" by the blood of the Perfect Lamb of YHVH. 


Shabbat Shalom.............Rabbi Jacob Ben Avraham

Well,, there are things in ministry which one can do alone, yes, there are ministries such as "writing" that can be done alone, and there are other parts of ministry done as a group, such as group Torah (Bible study) ...yet...it can be done alone as well,   but even the "lone Ranger" had "Tanto" his native American companion, as a helper (or was it "Tonto"?) in Spanish, means "silly"

Ben Avraham