Parashat Yitro describes one of the most powerful family scenes in the Torah. I am specifically referring to the encounter between Moshe Rabbeynu and Yitro. Yitro that hears about the miracles that Hashem has performed for Bnei Israel, comes out of Midyan, leaving behind his place of high honor to come into the desert, the wilderness and meet Moshe. He is also bringing with him Moshe’s wife, Tsipora and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.
In general, I find Yitro to be an extremely fascinating personality. A high priest of Midyan, who is well versed both in the matters of the spiritual world and the material affairs. Rashi quoting the Midrash, describes him as a person who knew and tried all different types of worship and the spiritual traditions of the world. For that he received a great amount of recognition and honor by those around him. And yet, the Torah gives him even more recognition for the fact that leaves all that behind, comes out very humbly to meet Moshe and to hear about the miracles of the Exodus and to learn divine wisdom from Moshe. His exclamation:”Blessed is Hashem, Who rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of Pharaoh….Now I know that Hashem is greater than all the gods!” is its highest point.
Perhaps that only thing that is even more incredible in this whole story and something that can teach us a tremendous life lesson is how Moshe Rabbeynu treats Yitro upon his arrival at the Israeli camp. Moshe has just witnessed arguably the most miraculous and magical event the world has witnessed and who was its direct orchestrator. When Yitro’s messenger announces his arrival, Moshe – and with him Aharon, his brother, and his sons, Nadav and Avihu – comes out towards him, bows and kisses him. Him and Yitro inquire of each other’s well-being and enter the tent together. Yitro rejoices over the goodness that Hashem has performed for Israel. After their conversation, they bring sacrifices to Hashem and partake in a celebratory meal.
It is incredible to see the humility Moshe possesses and how much honor he is showing his father-in-law, who is not even Jewish and is at that point still an idol worshiper. (Yitro goes on to later convert to Judaism and returns back to Midiyan to convert the rest of the family). There are a lot of questions surrounding their immediate moment of encounter. Rashi writes that it is not immediately clear on who bowed to whom, but eventually concludes that it is indeed Moshe who bowes to Yitro. In Mekhilta, we learn that Moshe was clearly the one who bowed and kissed his father-in-law. Based on this, it is said that a man should always be prepared to show honor to his father-in-law.
Moshe Rabbeynu’s most prominent quality for which is most known for is humility (Anava). In Judaism, this is also considered to be the most desired personality trait in a man. And perhaps this is one of the greatest moments where Moses gets to show his true nature. The commandment to honor one’s parents is well known from the Ten Sayings (Ten Commandments). But here is it taken to the next level, teaching us to show respect to our significant other’s parents as well.
I view Torah as a powerful life guide – a manual if you wish – that offers us practical principles and ideas for happy and meaningful life. This particular episode provides us with a powerful detailed formula for building good, harmonious relations with not only our parents, but also our parents-in-law. It is a powerful lesson that can serve as a basis for building happy, harmonious families: When your in-laws come for a visit, get up, greet them, give them a kiss, a hug, ask them how they are and have a nice meal them. How simple and yet how profound. This is family relationships building at its finest, something that is not always easy to implement, but something that without any doubt will will bear beautiful fruit in both the short and long terms.
Aharon's Wisdom 