This week’s Parshah contains the first rendition of the ten commandments; the giving of the Torah in full view of an entire nation would become the foundational bedrock of our belief in G-d, and granted the Jews full awareness of their status as the Chosen people. Until this day, this seminal event remains the only open miracle that History claims was performed in front of more than a singular individual or small group of people.
The Parshah starts off, however, by introducing the arrival of Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, to the scene. The Verse states [Shemot 18’ 1’]:
“Jethro priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, God’s people, how Hashem had brought Israel out from Egypt.”
The Possuk is vague in its description of exactly what Yitro heard that served as the catalyst for his joining the Jewish people. Rashi, ad. loc., comments that:
“AND JETHRO HEARD — What was the particular report which he heard so that he came? — The division of the Red Sea and the war with Amalek (cf. (Mekhilta; Zevachim 116a).”
The commentaries explain that in various places across the Torah [and Neviim], the Pesukim describe the shockwaves that traversed the world after the splitting of the sea; ergo, it is logical to assume that hearing of that miracle was one of the catalysts for Yitro joining the Jews. Additionally, the ending of Parshat Beshalach [last week’s Parshah] describes the battle and Jewish victory over Amalek, and therefore the juxtaposition to this week’s Parshah implies that that battle was an additional incentive for Yitro to throw his lot in with the Israelites.
Maharal, however, in a deeper analysis, explains, that in order to become a “convert”, a National Identity must be established, for, after all, one cannot convert to an entity that has no independent existence. Hence, although, on a simple level, Rashi is clarifying what inspired Yitro to become a member of Am Yisrael, on a deeper, and more poignant level, Rashi is actually telling the reader that it was only after these two events that the ability to convert to Judaism was realized. Our National Identity was solidified only upon the nation sharing in the miracle of the splitting of the sea, and the Jewish victory over the Amalekites. Those experiences crafted and concretized a unified and central psyche, which now would allow for the possibility of conversions. Yitro was the first convert to Judaism, and would go on to serve as a model for all Jews, and eventually would have descendants sitting on the Sanhedrin [not to ignore the fact that his daughter married Moshe, the greatest prophet]!
Dedicated in memory of all those who have perished and sacrificed for Am Yisrael.
Have a Great Shabbas.