The Portion of Yitro
Backlog in the Courts
The
Children of Israel, fresh from the crossing of the Sea, the trials and
tribulations of food and water in the desert and the victory over
Amalek, are now encamped at the foot of the mountain of the Lord.
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, having heard all that transpired, arrives
at the Israelite encampment.
The next morning, Jethro witnesses Moses sitting by himself and judging those who appeared before him. Jethro warns Moses: "You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people who are with you (Exodus
18;18)". Jethro continues: "Even if you learn all 30 chapters in the
order of Nezikin- Baba Kama, Baba Metzia, Baba Batra (each tractate has
10 chapters, you will not have enough strength to continue".
The
reference to the numbers of chapters in the order of Nezikin is alluded
to in the letter "lamed" (numerical value = 30) in the words "navol"
and "tibol" (you will surely wear yourself out), where to each one has
been added the figure of a small "yud".
(Rokeiach on the Torah)
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