“Now Moses’ father in law, Jethro, the chieftain of Midian, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, His people that the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt.” (Shemos 18:1)
What motived Yisro to leave his life of comfort and prominence in Midyan, journey to the middle of the desert and join the fledgling Jewish nation? What moved Yisro to give up the priesthood of Midyan with its fame and fortune and embrace the God of Israel? The Talmud quotes various opinions. Some explain that he heard about the miraculous splitting of the Red Sea, others explain he heard of the exceptional Jewish bravery in the battle against Amaleykand still others maintain it was the awesome glory of Sinaitic revelation that caused Yisro to travel from Midyan to the Jewish encampment. Whatever the reason, Yisro felt a burning desire to connect and be part of the Jewish people. Yet, only a few verses later the Torah states, “Moses saw his father in law off, and he went away to his land.” (Shemos 18:27) The Torah in Bamidbar tells us that Yisro said to Moshe, “… I will travel back to my home and to my birthplace.” (Bamidbar 10:30) Why did Yisro leave? Why did Yisro choose to return home after he had sacrificed so much to join the Jewish people?
hen Menachem Mendel from the city of Kotzk was a young boy, he was convinced by an acquaintance to spend some time learning by the great Chassidic master, the Chozeh (Seer) of Lublin (Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, 1745-1815). After a few months away from home, Menachem Mendel’s father, upset that his son had chosen to follow in the ways of Chassidus (Menachem Mendel’s family were “misnagdim,” those opposed to the Chassidic movement), decided to travel to Lublin to persuade his young son to return home. When he found his son in the home of the Chozeh, he said, “Menachem Mendel, this is not the way I raised you, this is not the tradition of your forefathers, I beg of you, return with me and embrace the path of service of your ancestors.” Menachem Mendel replied quoting a verse from the Shira (song) in last week’s Parsha, “….this is my God (Zeh Keyli), and I will make Him great, the God of my father (Elokay Avi), and I will ascribe to Him exaltation.” (Shemos 15:2) “Father, I fully embrace all you have taught and conveyed to me, I fully accept the ideas and ideals you have imprinted on my soul. But it is not enough for me to live with “your God,” I must find “my God.” You have given me Elokay Avi, the God of my father, now I must find and cultivate a relationship with Zeh Keyli, my personal God.” Young Menachem Mendel grew up to become the famed Chassidic luminary, Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1787-1859).
The Kotzker teaches us a profound idea. There are two components in man’s relationship with God:
Elokai Avi, the God of my father – each of us inherits a spiritual legacy from the generations that preceded us. I learn the spiritual ideals and outlooks of my parents. I accept their values and appreciate their philosophy and theology.
