Parsha Yitro

I have the (un)fortunate privilege of having my HUC obligations in back to back weeks. Today I get to read Torah (if you recall last Monday I gave my Dvar Torah)

The parsha is a pretty exciting one - it's where we receive the 10 Commandments. Fortunately, no one bothered to deal with that this week at HUC. Instead I am reading from the end of the parsha. The sermon is being given by a 4th year - I'm not sure what exactly she is talking about.

I've decided not to chant on account of my lack of desire to do the mating call of a dying cow. Regardless, I'm excited. I like reading Torah. In theory, it's an honor. But when you're assigned to it, it loses that excitement. And of course it means I have a reason to wear my tallis from Israel (i no longer wear a tallis or kippah - i think they are generally a load of shit but I know I have to play the part sometimes). I asked my gabbai (the person who makes sure I get my words and vowels right) if i really had to "parade around with the Torah so everyone can worship and kiss it like the idol it is." He laughed. And said I did. Thursday is usually a big service - all the faculty make their way in - the 4th and 5th year sermons are the biggies. Dammit. I have to behave. I even have to bow with the Torah toward the ark. Hmph. Monotheism my ASS.

Anyway. This is the Hebrew and English of what I'm reading - for your own edumacation and entertainment.

translation from Aryeh Kaplan bible.ort.org
Exodus
18:21 'But you must [also] seek out from among all the people capable, God-fearing men - men of truth, who hate injustice. You must then appoint them over [the people] as leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, and leaders of tens.
18:22 'Let them administer justice for the people on a regular basis. Of course, they will have to bring every major case to you, but they can judge the minor cases by themselves. They will then share the burden, making things easier for you.
18:23 If you agree to this, and God concurs, you will be able to survive. This entire nation will then also be able to attain its goal of peace.'
18:24 Moses took his father-in-law's advice, and did all that he said.
18:25 He chose capable men from all Israel, and he appointed them as administrators over the people, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, and leaders of tens.
18:26 They administered justice on a regular basis, bringing the difficult cases to Moses, and judging the simple cases by themselves.
18:27 Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his homeland.

ואתה תחזה מכל העם אנשי חיל יראי אלהים אנשי אמת שנאי בצע ושמת עלהם שרי אלפים שרי מאות שרי חמשים ושרי עשרת׃ושפטו את העם בכל עת והיה כל הדבר הגדל יביאו אליך וכל הדבר הקטן ישפטו הם והקל מעליך ונשאו אתך׃אם את הדבר הזה תעשה וצוך אלהים ויכלת עמד וגם כל העם הזה על מקמו יבא בשלום׃וישמע משה לקול חתנו ויעש כל אשר אמר׃ויבחר משה אנשי חיל מכל ישראל ויתן אתם ראשים על העם שרי אלפים שרי מאות שרי חמשים ושרי עשרת׃ושפטו את העם בכל עת את הדבר הקשה יביאון אל משה וכל הדבר הקטן ישפוטו הם׃וישלח משה את חתנו וילך לו אל ארצו׃