INSIGHT 5780 - #30: THE REALITY OF TORAH

For  Shavuot and Yitro
 
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INSIGHT 5780 - #18: THE THEOLOGY OF KABBALAT HATORAH

For  Yitro
 
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Insight 5779-18: Seeking the Whole

For Yitro
 
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In regard to the verse of Anochi, I should add that it is further significant that many believe it not to be an actual commandment. While Rambam does count it as actual mitzvah, many others do not. They define it precisely as laying the basis for the mitzvot. This idea would further substantiate the thought presented in the Insight.

Insight 5778-19: THE NAME

For Yitro
 
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The idea that tefilla [prayer] should include a bekasha [request] also, in my opinion, reflects the thought expressed in the Insight. Many people find it difficult to accept that a prayer should include a request from God for they see it as approaching God because it is in one's best interest. They, as such, like to see prayer simply in terms of praising God or thanking Him. From a bekasha, though, one really sees God as instrumental in one's life and the fact that one can approach God in this manner obviously reflects close relationship. If someone is close to you, obviously, that person wants to assist you. As such, tefilla should incorporate shevach [praise], bekasha and hoda'ah [thankfulness] for it is in the meshing of these three that we reflect the uniqueness of our relationship with Him.

Insight 5777-21: The Torah Nation

For Yitro
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Insight 5776-19: Yirei Elokim

For Yitro

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Study Question

1)

Insight 5775-19: The Different Versions

For Yitro
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Study Question

1)

Insight 5774-19: Existential Communication

For Yitro
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Study Question

1) The gemara presents three opinions as to the news of what event prompted Yitro to go to the Jewish camp. What do you think is the difference in motivation represented by this difference of opinion?

Insight 5773-20: Yitro's Conversion

For Yitro
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Study Question

1) The major question of the Insight actually still remains: What did motivate Yitro to convert? According to the three opinions cited: What did Yitro see in each event that led him to wish to become a member of Klal Yisrael? 

The one hint that I offered that might assist in this search is that, it is my belief, within the three events Yitro saw something unique in how the Universal God related to this specific nation. This was not like all the other nations each having their own specific deities nor was it like all other universal theologies who project one form of Divine connection for all humanity (albeit making distinctions on actual theological yardsticks such as between believer and non-believer). In each event he saw the absolute benefit of being a Jew -- and this is what he now desired. And most significantly this desire was actually very unique. The challenge is to define this pursuant to the three variant opinions -- if they, in fact, are different or only simply different reflections of the same idea (which is one approach in the commentators).

Insight 5773-04: The Chuppah

For Yitro and V'zot HaBracha

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Insight 5772-18: Existential Study

For Yitro

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Insight 5771-17: Shabbat and the Non-Jew

For Yitro

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