Torah Tuesday: Yitro
A Reminder of the Power of Diverse Perspectives
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
The Torah portion of Yitro is a powerful reminder of the significance of seeking out and valuing diverse perspectives. The character of Yitro, the father-in-law of Moses, represents an outsider who brings a new and important perspective to the Israelites. This Torah portion highlights the importance of embracing diversity, especially in the Jewish community.
The story of Yitro begins with his decision to join the Jewish people after hearing of the Exodus from Egypt and all the miracles. He meets Moses, and they reminisce and eat together. The next day, Yitro watches Moses as people come to him with their problems, complaints, and litigations. Yitro is impressed by Moses but also concerned about the burden he is carrying by acting alone.
Yitro offers a solution to Moses that is innovative, democratic and pluralistic. He suggests that Moses recruit suitable people who are honest, trustworthy, and righteous and appoint them as judges, establishing a system of upper and lower courts. Yitro realizes that to make the Torah work for the people, a judicial system made up of many individuals who will speak with more than one voice and look at the Torah with more than one worldview is needed. This idea takes power out of the hands of one individual and makes it the property of the people, creating a more pluralistic and democratic society.
The lessons from Yitro are timeless and universal, reminding us that embracing diverse perspectives can lead to a better understanding of the world and create a more just and equitable society for all. All of this is particularly relevant during Black History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions and experiences of Black people throughout history.
It is essential for us in the Jewish community to value and seek out diverse perspectives. Black Jews and other Jews of color continue to bring new insights, perspectives, and experiences into our communities but often face barriers because we are often seen as not part of the Jewish community when the truth is we have been here the entire time. When we embrace diversity, we are better for it and stronger because diversity makes us stronger.
The importance of diversity and seeking out different perspectives is not limited to the Jewish community. It is a universal concept that applies to all aspects of life, including the workplace, the education system, and politics. When we embrace diversity and seek out different perspectives, we gain a better understanding of the world and create a more inclusive and equitable society.
The Torah portion of Yitro is a powerful reminder of the significance of embracing diverse perspectives. By valuing and seeking out various views, we can create a more just and equitable society for all, continue to grow and evolve, and positively impact the world. The lessons from Yitro are universal and timeless, reminding us of the importance of embracing diversity and seeking out different perspectives in all aspects of life.