Parasha Yitro
The greatest moment in history — God speaks to an entire nation at Mount Sinai.
Overview
Parasha Yitro contains the central event of the entire Torah: the revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments. It is named after Moses' father-in-law Jethro — a Midianite priest who recognized God's greatness and offered wise counsel — a remarkable honor for a non-Jew.
The Story
Jethro hears of the Exodus and comes to Moses in the wilderness with Zipporah and Moses' sons. He rejoices at God's salvation and offers sacrifices. Seeing Moses judge the people alone from morning to evening, Jethro advises him to appoint judges for smaller cases — a foundational principle of judicial organization. Moses accepts the advice.
Israel arrives at Sinai. God tells Moses to prepare the people: for three days they are to sanctify themselves. On the third day, thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a great shofar blast fill the mountain. God descends in fire; the mountain trembles. God speaks the Ten Commandments to all of Israel: I am the Lord your God; no other gods; do not take God's name in vain; remember the Sabbath; honor your father and mother; do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not covet.
Significance for Noahides
The Ten Commandments are the moral foundation of civilization. The first five concern the relationship between humanity and God; the second five concern relationships between people. For Noahides, the Sinai revelation is the event that gave the Seven Laws their binding legal force. Maimonides teaches that a Noahide who observes the laws because God commanded them at Sinai — as recorded here — is among the righteous of the nations.
"The Torah was given publicly, in the open, in a place belonging to no one — so that anyone who wishes to receive it may come and receive it." — Mechilta, Yitro