Parshat Yitro

This week’s parsha describes for us the great “theophany,” the revelation of God, at Har Sinai, an event witnessed by the entire nation, experienced by millions of people. This morning’s haftarah relates to us the personal “theophany” of the Navi, Yeshayahu, who alone sees the vision of Hashem’s throne and His glory and is, therefore, charged to bring that vision and that divine message to the entire nation. Although the Navi’s vision and divine message are found in the sixth perek of Yeshayahu, it is actually the earliest of all the prophecies delivered by this great Navi; indeed, it is his formal “induction” to the service of Hashem. In much the same way, Bnai Yisrael are “inaugurated” into the service of God at Har Sinai, with Hashem declaring, “V’atem tihyu li mamlechet kohanim—And you will be a kingdom of priests (better: attendants) for me.” And, just as the people trembled and stood afar in fear of witnessing God’s revelation, so too, did Yeshayahu believe he would die for having “seen” Hashem.

It is interesting to note that the Ramban—in his commentary on the Aseret Hadibrot—points out that the pronouncements of God heard by the nation were understood by each and every person, according to his or her own abilities. It was not simply a communal experience, but an intensely personal one as well and, perhaps, the choice of this perek as the haftarah was meant to teach that Yeshayahu’s individual encounter with God described therein was, ultimately, not that different from the one experienced by all of Israel at Har Sinai.

In essence, however, it is the contrast between the two events that cries out to us, for the glory revealed to Bnai Yisrael at Sinai was meant to impress upon them the power and majesty of Hashem and, accordingly, the absolute necessity of accepting and keeping His mitzvot. The vision seen by the Navi—on the other hand—was part of his inauguration into God’s service to accept the mission of admonishing the nation who failed to perform the mitzvot and to warn them that God’s punishment would not cease, “until the cities become desolate … and the land become … wasted and Hashem will drive the people away … ”

We look back in pain upon the 1000s of years during which this terrifying prophecy came to fruition, but today, we see the reversal of this Yishayahu’s vision, as the people have begun to return to their land, rebuilding it from the past destruction—repopulating the cities and replanting the fields—so, we can see the land giving forth its fruit once again.

But, as our haftarah reminds us, we must always remain cognizant and realize the miracle we see can continue only as long as we heed the words that were pronounced so long ago at Har Sinai.

Rabbi Neil Winkler is the rabbi emeritus of the Young Israel of Fort Lee, and now lives in Israel.