TORAH: Exodus 18:1-20:23
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6
GOSPEL: Matthew 19:16-26
Portion Summary
The seventeenth reading from the Torah is named Yitro (יתרו), which is the literal Hebrew behind the name Jethro. The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which says, “Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people” (Exodus 18:1). The portion tells the story of Jethro’s visit to the camp of Israel, then relates the great theophany at Mount Sinai, where God gives Israel the Ten Commandments and invites the people to enter a special covenant relationship with Him.
Torah
Torah
Exodus 18:1 | Jethro’s Advice
Exodus 19:1 | The Israelites Reach Mount Sinai
Exodus 19:9 | The People Consecrated
Exodus 20:1 | The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:22 | The Law concerning the Altar
Prophets
Isaiah 6:1 | A Vision of God in the Temple
Isaiah 9:1 | The Righteous Reign of the Coming King
Portion Commentary:
The Wedding Gift from God
What does it mean to “remember” the Sabbath? Was there ever a danger of forgetting to keep the Sabbath?
If the covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai can be compared to a wedding, then the Sabbath can be compared to a wonderful wedding gift. Wrapped up in blessing and holiness, it is a gift that continues to radiate the love of God every week.
The LORD commands Israel to remember the Sabbath. What does it mean to “remember” the Sabbath? Was there ever a danger of forgetting to keep the Sabbath? In Semitic culture, the word “remember” has clear covenant connotations. To remember means to act in faithfulness to the covenant. Similarly, God remembered Noah in the Ark, and He remembered Sarah when He was ready to open her womb. Therefore, God is telling Israel to show faithfulness to His covenant by keeping the Sabbath.
Rashi says that we should remember the Sabbath all week long by preparing for it. For example, he says that if a person comes across a nice article of food or drink during the week, he should set it aside for the Sabbath. This reminds me of a story from the days of the Master.
When the Master was not but a baby, there lived a sage by the name of Shammai. Whenever Shammai was in the market place, he always kept a lookout for exceptionally fine items that he might be able to purchase for the Sabbath. If he found a really good goat or chicken or vintage of wine, he would purchase it and say, “This is for the Shabbat.” If later on in the week he found one even nicer, he would purchase that one for the Sabbath and use the previous thing he had bought on a week day instead.
Sometimes Gentile Christians want to keep the Sabbath, but they are distressed because in their current circumstances they cannot. They wonder what they should do.
If you find that you are unable to observe the Sabbath, you can at least remember it. At a minimum, this requires being conscious of the Sabbath’s presence. Remember it on Friday night when the sun goes down and the Sabbath begins. Remember it on Saturday morning when the sun rises on the day of rest and the Torah is being read in the synagogue. Remember it on Saturday night as the holy day comes to an end. By doing at least that much, a person can take at least a small share in the Sabbath. The path of Torah is never all or nothing, and something is always better than nothing.
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
