"And Jethro heard." Ex 18:1
It was not by accident that the story of Jethro preceded the greatest event that ever was, the giving
of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Why? Because "Jethro heard."
The Torah teaches us that if we don't hear, we will not be able to receive. Hearing means being able
to focus on someone else and not only on ourselves. It means to accept that we're not perfect and we can hear advice
and criticism.
The whole world was aware that Israel came out of Egypt with great miracles but did nothing about it.
Jethro, on the other hand, heard and came. Because he was willing to truly hear and understand, his
life was changed and ultimately he even gave advice to Moses.
We often ask others how they are, but do we really hear their answers? Our children are constantly talking
to us, but are we truly listening? Let us learn from Jethro to hear what YHVH wants us to know, to make
our lives better. |