d’var torah
State of the Keystone
Rabbi David Levin
Parshat Yitro
Who is wise? One who learns from al
~ Pirkei Avot 4:1
A mong many lessons, this
week’s Parshah Yitro teaches
that we need to learn from
one another, no matter who we are or
who we may be. Even the most power-
ful and infl uential among us still have
more learning to do and share.

So, Yitro shares that we need to
fi nd ways to reach out to others, and
24 FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
we also need to fi nd ways to listen, in
other words, to build bridges of under-
standing toward and with each other.

We cannot do it alone. Our tradition
teaches us that through connections,
we learn from others. Teaching is often
modeled as chevrutah; we discuss and
debate a topic or issue with a partner.

We engage in machloket, a constructive
dialogue, sometimes profound and often
passionate. Our exchange is done “for
the sake of Heaven” so that we may
learn from each other through a conver-
sation about a text or an idea. We expect
each of us to have a diff erent perspec-
tive or “fresh eyes.” It is an opportunity
to gain wisdom. This wisdom doesn’t
require a particular title, position, or age,
only that we can share it.

We respect our teachers and parents
by not taking their space, not speaking
for them or arguing (BT Kiddushin
31b:14). But if we get caught up in our
ego, sense of privilege, preconcep-
tions or prejudices, we create barriers
to giving or receiving this knowledge;
the opportunity to gain wisdom is
squandered. Yitro disrupts the old
paradigm. Yitro does not wait for Moses to
reappear in Midian. As the high priest
and the father-in-law to Moses, Yitro
could have been justifi ed in waiting
for Moses to come to him. Instead,
Yitro goes out to meet Moses and
brings Moses’ family to reunite them.

Furthermore, Yitro listens to Moses
recount the story of the Exodus as
though it is new news, although our
text makes it clear that Yitro has
already heard all about it.

Once again, Moses needs Yitro’s
help, although Moses’ station might
have also presented a barrier to such
admitted vulnerability. We know Moses
as deeply humble, a reluctant prophet
and spokesman, and one who often
turned to God for guidance in the
Midbar. However, now Moses is in a unique
position, making it hard to hear the
voice of even a trusted friend, for
Moses was placed in the role of “God
to Pharoah” (Ex. 7:1) and the leader of
the people out of Egypt. But Moses
has perspective and appreciates his
situation. And Yitro likely understands
Moses’ position with its complexities.

Yitro shares the wisdom of his experi-
ence. From him, Moses learns the idea
of a decentralized authority of justice,
thus freeing Moses from day-to-day
aff airs that currently overwhelm him
and permitting Moses the necessary
time for the other important work he is
called to do.

Parshah Yitro shows us the task of
teaching from both sides. First, Yitro
asks us to approach others so they can
be receptive to us without our ego or
sense of privilege interfering. And for
those in Moses’ position, can we admit
when we need help, also without our
ego or sense of privilege interfering?
We must approach each other with
reverence and respect, setting aside
our egos to reach out.

Ancient architecture has taught us
that arches cannot exist without a
keystone. This center stone holds the
entire structure together with extraor-
dinary strength and resilience; without
the keystone, the arch collapses. So,
can we understand that metaphorically
we are part of an arch needing the
other side to be complete — but also
realizing that the only way to connect
is through a keystone?
The keystone is the thing that brings
us together and strengthens us. The
keystone can be seeking knowledge,
knowing our limitations or understand-
ing that we are better in relationships
with others. Parshah Yitro teaches that
we need to build bridges with one
another, appreciating both our limita-
tions and our gifts. ■
Rabbi David Levin is the founder
and manages Jewish Relationships
Initiative, a 501(c)(3) dedicated
to helping seekers of meaning
through Jewish wisdom, focusing
on relationships and end-of-life
challenges. He also serves on the
executive committee of the Board of
Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia as vice
president of programming. The Board
of Rabbis is proud to provide diverse
perspectives on Torah commentary
for the Jewish Exponent. The opinions
expressed in this column are the
author’s own and do not refl ect the
view of the Board of Rabbis.