Parashat Yitro: Its all Good!

From the Divre Torah of Rabbi Yaakob Savdie, Brooklyn NY:

It is the most fundamental parasha in the Torah. If not for this parasha no other parashiyot would exist.It contains the most important event in our nations history Maamad Har Sinai. Yet it bears the name of a gentile named Yitro

Why was Yitro zoche to have this parasha bear his name?
Why was Yitro zoche to be the father in-law of Moshe Rabbenu?

We must look back to our first meeting with Yitro in Parashat Shemot. We are first introduced to Yitro's daughters (he had seven of them...oh my!). They come to the well to water their fathers flock & are banished by evil shepherds. Moshe Rabbenu steps in and rescues them. He banishes the shepherds & allows the herds of Yitro to drink. Yitro's daughters come home and tell him of their rescue:

"'An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock (Shemot 2)"

Yitro responds:

"ואיו למה זה עזבתן את האיש קראין לו ויאכל לחם"
"And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread"

Yitro was appalled. How could his daughters not appreciate Moshe's kindness. How could they not wish to repay him for his heroism?! Yitro immediately commands them to seek Moshe & bring him home so he could thank Moshe & repay the favor.

Yitro displays an exemplary midda of hakarat hatob (lit. recognition of good) & I believe it can be gleaned from the passuk.

The response of Yitro begins with the word and -"and where is he?" (ואיו). Yitro seems to be interrupting his daughters. The moment Yitro heard of Moshe's kindness he felt indebted & desired to thank Moshe & pay him back. His hakarat hatob is ingrained in him. It is a knee-jerk response. For this trait alone Yitro was worthy to become the father in-law of Am Yisrael's greatest leader. (There are midrashim wish give more examples of the hakarat hatob of Yitro. If you're interested please email me).

We can now return to answer our first question (you forgot it already?! ok here it is again) Why was Yitro zoche to have this parasha bear his name?

Our Parasha tells the story of Matan Torah.Torah is the ultimate Tob as the passuk states:

"כי לקח טוב נתתי לכם תורתי אל תעזובו "
"For I gave you a good doctrine; do not forsake my teaching (Mishle 4)"

Bene Yisrael must be able to recognize & appreciate this Tob properly. Who better to learn about hakarat hatob from than Yitro!

I leave you with a question. Hazal tell us that Yitro used to be called Yeter יתר. When he converted & fulfilled mitzvot an extra letter was added to his name & it became יתרו. Why do you think the letter was a ו (a vav)?

Thank You!!
Yaakob Savdie