Today’s Random Psalm: Psalm 125

Those who trust in Yahuah
are like Mount Zion—
it cannot be moved; it abides forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so Yahuah surrounds His people
both now and forever.

For the scepter of wickedness will not rest
upon the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous will not put forth
their hands to do wrong.

Do good, Yahuah, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts.

But those who turn aside to crooked ways,
Yahuah will lead away with evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel.

Bonus

Deuteronomy 5

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Yahuah your Elohim commanded you.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahuah your Elohim. On it you shall not do any work—you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, your ox, your donkey, any of your livestock, or the sojourner within your gates, so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as you do.
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Yahuah your Elohim brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahuah your Elohim commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Honor your father and your mother, as Yahuah your Elohim commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that Yahuah your Elohim is giving you.

You shall not murder.
Neither shall you commit adultery.
Neither shall you steal.
Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor.
Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

These words Yahuah spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

And as soon as you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes, and your elders.
And you said, “Behold, Yahuah our Elohim has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen Elohim speak with man, and man still live.
Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of Yahuah our Elohim any more, we shall die.
For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living Elohim speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?
Go near and hear all that Yahuah our Elohim will say, and speak to us all that Yahuah our Elohim will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.”

And Yahuah heard your words, when you spoke to me. And Yahuah said to me, “I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken.
Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear Me and to keep all My commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!
Go and say to them, ‘Return to your tents.’
But you, stand here by Me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.”

You shall be careful therefore to do as Yahuah your Elohim has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
You shall walk in all the way that Yahuah your Elohim has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

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Summary of Parashah Yitro

Exodus 18:1-20:26

Parashat Yitro occupies a central place in the Torah because it contains the public revelation of Elohim and the giving of the Ten Words. The portion begins with administrative wisdom and culminates in covenantal revelation, showing that spiritual life encompasses both daily governance and transcendent encounter.

Yitro’s arrival highlights the necessity of humility in leadership. Moses, though chosen by Elohim, receives correction. The establishment of delegated judges reflects divine order rather than human efficiency alone. This structure prevents exhaustion and ensures justice, teaching that covenant communities must be organized to endure.

The journey to Sinai marks a transition from redemption to responsibility. Elohim reminds Yisra’el of deliverance before issuing commands, grounding obedience in relationship. The declaration that Yisra’el is a kingdom of priests reveals their mediating role among the nations, entrusted with reflecting Elohim’s character.

The Sinai theophany is intentionally overwhelming. Fire, smoke, thunder, and shofar blasts convey Elohim’s holiness and authority. Boundaries around the mountain teach that access to Elohim is regulated by His will, not human initiative. Preparation through consecration underscores the seriousness of revelation.

The Ten Words form the covenant core. They are not arbitrary laws but covenantal terms defining loyalty to Elohim and ethical living among people. The commands against idolatry, misuse of the Name, and Sabbath violation protect the relationship between Elohim and His people. The commands governing honor, life, marriage, property, and truth protect communal integrity.

The people’s fear leads them to request mediation. Moses explains that fear is intended to prevent sin, not to drive distance. This tension between nearness and reverence continues throughout Scripture. The portion closes with instructions on worship that reject human grandeur, emphasizing humility and obedience over spectacle.

Yitro ultimately teaches that covenant life requires wise leadership, reverent fear, communal responsibility, and faithful obedience to the spoken word of Elohim. Sinai is not merely a historical event but a defining moment shaping Israel’s identity and calling.