Ilana Goldstein Saks-How an intimidating spectacle becomes a comfort (Yitro)

After their departure from Egypt, the Children of Israel finally arrive at Mount Sinai in this week’s parsha. Hardly the inspiring journey one would hope for — the route from slavery to spirituality seems, with rare exception, like a continuous chain of conflict and complaint. “Each place it says ‘and they journeyed… and they encamped (vayahanu),’” a midrash notes, “they journeyed in quarrel and encamped in quarrel” (Mechilta D’Rabbi Yishamael, Yitro, BaHodesh, 1).

Then they come to Sinai – “There they were of one heart — wherefore it is written ‘and [Israel] encamped (vayihen).’”

Read the full article on the Times of Israel