<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, Yitro (\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9), Mosheh\u2019 father-in-law, and the pagan priest of Midian, the first convert, hearing of the great miracles which G\u2011d performed for the people of Israel, come from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Mosheh\u2019 wife and two sons. Jethro advises Mosheh to appoint judges to assist him in the task of governing and administering justice to the people, delegating his responsibilities, with Mosheh presiding only over the most difficult cases. This would also free up Mosheh\u2019 time to teach the Israelites the teachings of the Torah that he hears from G\u2011d. Mosheh and G-d’s revelation of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where they are told that G\u2011d has chosen them to be His \u201choly nation.\u201d The people respond by proclaiming, \u201cAll that G\u2011d has spoken, we shall do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), 49 days after having left Egypt and six days after they camped at the foot of Mount Sinai, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai for the Giving of the Torah . God speaks the Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel amidst fire, smoke, and the sound of the shofar, an overwhelming revelation, an awesome \u201clight and sound\u201d show, and summons Mosheh to ascend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire purpose of creation was to set the stage for the performance of mitzvahs, as represented by the Ten Commandments. The people cry out to Mosheh that the revelation is too intense for them to bear, begging him to receive the Torah from G\u2011d and share it with them. G-d speaks The 10 Commandments: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2011d created the world with 10 words. There were 10 generations from Adam to Noah. 10 generations from Shem (Noah\u2019s son) to Abvraham. The Israelites were saved from Egypt by 10 plagues, Accepting the 10 Commandments at Mount Sinai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ten Commandments are read publicly three times a year, twice when it comes up in the weekly Torah reading (Exodus 20\/ Yitro portion, and Deuteronomy 5\/ Va\u2019etchanan portion), and once again on the first day of the holiday of Shavuot. The Ten Commandments in Parashat Yitro and Parashat Va\u2019etchanan are almost identical, however, the version in Deuteronomy is longer because Mosheh is retelling of the events, adding his insightful reflection of the 40 years journey. Another difference is in the fourth commandment. The Exodus version begins with \u201cRemember the Shabbat\u201d and the Deuteronomy version starts with \u201cKeep the Shabbat.\u201d The rabbis say that both are accurate. G\u2011d actually spoke the command to keep Shabbat (by desisting from forbidden work) and remember Shabbat (through declaring its sanctity) <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Israelites needed to prepare for Matan Torah (The giving of the Torah) at Sinai. Rebbe Nachman tells us that Mosheh Rabbeinu was incredibly b\u2019simcha (joyful) when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. The Midrash (Tanchuma, Yitro #13) tells us that on the eve of the Torah-giving the entire Jewish people cheerfully looked forward to accepting the Torah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first day of the month of Sivan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), six weeks after the Exodus, the people of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai. Six days later, the entire nation stood at the foot of the mountain as G\u2011d revealed Himself to them and gave them the Torah. The main purpose of having the Jews leave Egypt was that they will receive the Torah, however, there was a 49-day interval from Exodus to Matan Torah. The Midrash asks, why the delay? It answers that when the Jews left Egypt they were physically and emotionally broken people, thus unfit to be the receivers of G-d\u2019s holy word. The 49-day interval from Exodus to Matan Torah gave them enough time to heal. Happiness and health go together. Rebbe Nachman teaches, \u201cIf there is any sort of damage or flaw in (one\u2019s) simcha, illness results\u201d (Likutey Moharan II, Lesson #24). The Rebbe goes on to say that in the Future, the world\u2019s simcha will be so great that there will be no illness at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost a year into social distancing, where loneliness seem to be the norm, the future is unknown, people live in fear and happiness can seem to contradict our external reality, where masks, also mask smiling faces, we have to do our best to remain happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “But what is the antidote for the person who feels so heavy, so depressed, that no words of encouragement or advice have any effect?” The lesson is best illustrated by the following story “The poor man and the Diamond” Rabbi Nachman told to his disciples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There was once a poor man who earned a living digging clay and selling it. Once, while digging clay, he discovered a precious stone which was obviously worth a great deal. Since he had no idea of it’s worth, he took it to an expert to tell him Its value. The expert answered, “No one here will be able to afford such a stone. Go to London, the capital, and there you will be able to sell it.” The man was so poor that he could not afford to make the journey. He sold everything he had, and went from house to house, collecting funds for the trip. Finally he had enough to take him as far as the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He then went to board a ship, but he did not have any money. He went to the ship’s captain and showed him the jewel. The captain immediately welcomed him aboard the ship with great honor, assuming he was a very trustworthy person. He gave the poor man a special first class cabin, and treated him like a wealthy personage. The poor man’s cabin had a view of the sea, and he sat there, constantly looking at the diamond and rejoicing. He was especially particular to do this during his meals, since eating in good spirits is highly beneficial for digestion. Then one day, he sat down to eat, with the diamond lying in front of him on the table where he could enjoy it. Sifting there he dozed off. Meanwhile, the mess boy came and cleared the table, shaking the tablecloth with it’s crumbs and the diamond into the sea. When he woke up and realized what had happened, he almost went mad with grief. Besides, the captain was a ruthless man who would not hesitate to kill him for his fare. Having no other choice, he continued to act happy, as if nothing had happened. The captain would usually speak to him a few hours every day, and on this day, he put himself in good spirits, so that the captain was not aware that anything was wrong. The captain said to him, “I want to buy a large quantity of wheat and I will be able to Sell it in London for a huge profit. But I am afraid that I will be accused of stealing from the king’s treasury. Therefore, I will arrange for the wheat to be bought in your name. I will pay you well for your trouble.” The poor man agreed. But as soon as they arrived in London the captain died. The entire shipload of wheat was in the poor man’s name and it was worth many times as much as the diamond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rabbi Nachman concluded, “The diamond did not belong to the poor man, and the proof is that he did not keep it. The wheat, however, did belong to him, and the proof is that he kept it. But he got what he deserved only because he remained happy.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n “It is up to us, to never lose hope, and like the poor man in the story to whom everything appeared lost, he had to force himself to be happy. Even a faked happiness, has the power to transform our situation and lead us to genuine joy.” (Breslav-Rabbi Nasan Maimon)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n How happy are we to be getting the Torah? Matan Torah happens every day, as we may choose to remain prepared, and to study Torah on a daily basis. The Baal Shem Tov said that a part of his mission in life was to do away with the byzeneh lamdan (irritable Torah learner). You can\u2019t do all of the mitzvaot all of the time. But you can do some mitzvot some of the time. Do the best you can. Be b\u2019simcha that you\u2019ve been chosen to receive the Torah and to live by the mitzvot. Be b\u2019simcha, (be happy) whenever you do a mitzvah. In Psalm 96 it says \u201cThe Heavens Shall be Glad, The Sea in It\u2019s Fullness Roars\u201d. Do a mitzvah, Don’t worry, Be happy and stay healthy. Kol Tuv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yedidyah.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Tissot_Jethro_and_Moses.jpg\")
Mount Sinai<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Ten Commandments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The number 10 <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yitro versus Va’etchanan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nB\u2019simcha, be joyful <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The 49-day interval<\/strong> \/ Omer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ever since, we celebrate the festival of Shavuot (Sivan 6\u20137) as \u201cThe Time of the Giving of Our Torah.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nRebbe Nachman <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAre you smiling?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRabbi Nachman’s Secret of Happiness <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Poor Man and the Diamond<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHappiness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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