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.




calendar
FEBRUARY 10–16
MON DAY, FE B. 13
MAHJONG GAME
Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El
Sisterhood invites the community to
join our weekly mahjong game at
7 p.m. Cost is $36 per year or free with
MBIEE Sisterhood membership.

For more information, call
215-635-1505 or email
office@mbiee.org. 8339 Old York
Road, Elkins Park.

T U E SDAY, FE B. 14
SISTERHOOD MEETING
T U RS DAY, F E B RUA RY 16
JEWISH SPEED DATING
Join Infusion Lounge Philly for a night of speed dating with Jewish singles in
their 20s and 30s. Check in is at 6:45 p.m., and matches will be emailed to
guests within 24 hours. Email besinglenomore@gmail.com or message us
at facebook.com/besinglenomore if you have any questions. 16 S. Second
St., second floor, Philadelphia.

FRIDAY, F E B . 1 0
SATURDAY, FE B. 11
The Temple Judea Museum will exhibit
a unique trio of artists: Marlene Adler,
Diane Pieri and Dan Soslowsky. What
joins this disparate group together?
Find out at this exhibit, running through
March 15 and open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, contact Rita
Poley at tjmuseum@kenesethisrael.

org or 215-887-8700. 8339 Old York
Road, Elkins Park.

Celebrate Tu B’Shevat with a seder at
Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El at 9:15
p.m., following Shabbat services led by
Rabbi Grife. RSVP to the synagogue
office at 215-635-1553.

8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park.

‘SERIOUSLY’ EXHIBIT
JRA FOOD PACKING
Volunteers will assist with Jewish Relief
Agency’s pre-distribution preparation
from 10 a.m.-noon. During this time,
volunteers will tape boxes, pack
toiletries and assemble family-friendly
food bags. For more information
about JRA’s volunteer schedule, visit
jewishrelief.org/calendar. 10980 Dutton Road, Philadelphia.

TU B’SHEVAT SEDER
SUNDAY, FE B. 1 2
JRA FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Join Jewish Relief Agency from 9
a.m.-2 p.m. for junior and all ages food
packing, as well as food delivery to
allow recipients to receive assistance
directly to their door, alleviating some
of the challenges they may face, such
as transportation, language barriers or
access. Additional delivery opportunities
are available on Monday through
Wednesday. For more information
about JRA’s volunteer schedule,
visit jewishrelief.org/calendar.

10980 Dutton Road, Philadelphia.

The Sisterhood of Congregations
of Shaare Shamayim will host our
February meeting at 7:30 p.m. A
representative of Ivy Rehab Physical
Therapy will speak about the use of
strength bands in therapy. For further
information, call the synagogue office
at 215-677-1600. 9768 Verree Road,
Philadelphia. WE D N E SDAY, FE B . 1 5
SISTERHOOD STUDY PROGRAM
The Congregations of Shaare
Shamayim’s Rabbi Sandi Berliner will
teach a class on “Words of Wisdom
from Jewish Ethics” as part of
the Sisterhood Study Program at
10 a.m. For further information,
call the synagogue office at
215-677-1600. 9768 Verree Road,
Philadelphia. VIRTUAL AMSTERDAM TRIP
Join Golden Slipper Gems at 11 a.m.

as Nachson Rodrigues Periera, the
community leader of the Bendigamos
community in Amsterdam, talks about
the connection between the Dutch
and Philadlephia Jewish communities.

For more information, contact
msimonhazani@goldenslipper.org or 610-359-8632.

TH U RSDAY, FE B . 1 6
CANASTA GAME
Ohev Shalom of Bucks County
Sisterhood invites the community
to a friendly weekly canasta game
from 1-3 p.m. Open play is $4.

Call 215-968-6755 for more
information. 944 Second Street Pike,
Richboro. ■
social announcements
BIRTH DALLAS ROSE DEZURE
Jennifer Lauren Dezure of Dresher
announces the birth of her daughter, Dallas
Rose Dezure, on Dec. 20, 2022.

Sharing in her joy are grandparents Susan
and Stanley Dezure of Bensalem, aunt Kara
and uncle Matt Griffin, cousin Daniel and
family and friends.

Dallas Rose is named in loving memory
of her maternal great-grandmother Dorothy
Solomon and paternal great-grandmother
Rebecca Dezure.

Courtesy of Jennifer Lauren Dezure
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25