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Zakhor
The Bible · 17/54

Yitro

The counsel of the father-in-law, and the Ten Commandments at Sinai.

Hebrew name
יִתְרוֹ
Book
Exodus
Verses
Ex 18,1–20,23
Haftara
Is 6,1–7,6 ; 9,5-6

The central section of Judaism bears the name of a Midianite priest, a stranger to the people, whose counsel reorganizes justice: delegate, institute judges, do not bear everything alone. That Israel's political organization should come from an outside perspective is a fact that the text made no attempt to conceal. Then the Ten Commandments are spoken to all, without intermediary — a collective gift, never reserved for a caste.

Documented figures