Parasha Reflections – Yitro

As the leader and God-speaker ascended
That momentous nondescript mountain,
Standing at the back of the crowd 
Might have been, must have been
A man, better a woman, who thought
What’s going on?  We’ve seen great miracles
But what’s next?

Coming back coming down, she witnessed The descent of the God-speaker, and listened to the various Proclamations, announcements, directives, Carefully, weighing each word, clause, pause, Carefully, carefully, wondering, Exactly what does that mean, how do We not covet, since I’m not yet sure what the Word means.

And let me imagine her turning to her neighbor and asking Exactly what does that word mean, how do I follow that instruction. Thus the great Tradition, the argument and disputations; Whoever that nameless woman was, Thank you. The holy debate continues.

Now let me figure out “covet”.

Ex 19:1-3 On the third new moon of the Israelites’ going out from Egypt, on this day did they come to the Wilderness of Sinai. And they journeyed onward from Rephidim and they came to the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there over against the mountain. And Moses had gone up to God, and the LORD called out to him from the mountain…. Translation by Robert Alter.