The Haftorah of Yitro is an interesting one. Generally the Haftorah is connected to the story of the Parshah or a theme within it. The main focus of this week’s Parshah is of course the giving of the Torah on Mt Sinai. This of course was where G-d revealed Himself and spoke directly to the people. The first section of the Haftorah is also connected to the theme of Divine revelation. Taken from the book of Isaiah, it tells how Isaiah is vouchsafed a revelation of G-d with the angels proclaiming ‘holy holy holy..’. This forms the basis of one of the most important of our prayers: the Kedushah. The Haftorah then, however, goes on to talk of political matters. This is especially true in the Ashkenazic tradition which adds sections from later chapters of the book which deal with G-d’s promise to frustrate the alliance of Israel and Aram against Judah and the prophecy of the birth of Hezekiah, one of Judah’s greatest kings. Why are these sections added, and what connection to they have to the Parshah? One explanation is that Isaiah’s original vision is historically connected to the events portrayed in the rest of the Haftorah. But I think there is also a thematic connection to our Parshah. Isaiah is vouchsafed a revelation of G-d. But this revelation is not for his personal spiritual edification. He is meant to take his vision of G-d and implement it in the social and political conditions of his time. This is also true of the revelation of the Torah. The Torah is not meant to be an abstract intellectual pursuit. Rather it is meant to transform society. That is why, following the experience of revelation this week, next week’s Parshah is a compendium of social law. There is also another connection between the political message of the Haftorah and the Parshah. The beginning of the Parshah tells of the arrival of Yitro and his advice to Moses to set up a judicial system. In the Haftorah, the rule of Hezekiah is seen as the antidote to the religious and political malaise of the time. The Torah is, in the end, interpreted and implemented by human beings. It is the nature and quality of Jewish leadership that determines how the message of revelation will be implemented. Politics is not a secular pursuit divorced from Torah but essential to its fulfilment. The future of Jewish leadership must thus be a vital concern to all those who care about the future of the message of Sinai.

ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS

Rishon	Jethro arrives with Moses‘ wives and sons and is warmly welcomed.
Sheni	Jethro gives Moses advice on setting up a judicial system.
Shelishi	Moses takes his advice.
Revi’i	G-d proposes a covenant between Himself and Israel.
Chamishi	The Jews accept the covenant and are told to prepare for Revelation. This occurs amid a volcanic eruption
Shishi	G-d speaks the Ten Commandments.
Shevi’i	The consequences of the covenant.
Haftorah	Isaiah: 6;1-7;6, 9;5-6: Isaiah’s vision of G-d.

 Sidra Statistics

Parshat Yitro

·         has 72 verses ;

·         is the 5th in Exodus, 17th in the Torah

·         shortest in Exodus, 47th longest in the Torah

·         has 3 pos + 14 neg = 17 mitzvot.