[Avodah] Yisro "The Minyan of Commandments"

[Richard Wolberg]

The Torah states regarding the preparation for receiving the Torah at  
Mount Sinai: "And the Israelites encamped there near the  
mountain." (Exodus 19:2)

The Hebrew word for "encamped" is "vayichan." What is particularly  
interesting is that the second time "vayichan" is used it is in the  
singular form; the grammatically correct form would be  
"vayachanu" (which is used the first time in the sentence). What do we  
learn from the word "vayichan"?

Rashi tells us that the singular form is used to tell us that they  
encamped "as one person with a single desire." From here Rabbi  
Yeruchem Levovitz commented that we see that the love of our fellow  
man is a prerequisite for accepting the Torah.

Rabbi Yitzchok of Vorki noted that the word "vayichan" besides meaning  
"encamped" also comes from the word "khain," which means "grace" or  
"favor." That is, the people found favor in the eyes of one another  
and therefore found favor in the eyes of the Almighty.

When you just see the faults and shortcomings of another person, you  
become distant from him or her. However, when you see the good and  
positive traits in other people, you become closer to them. This unity  
is a fundamental requirement for accepting the Torah and certainly for  
keeping it properly.

How is this developed? We find in the book Nachal Kidumim (by the  
great scholar, R' Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai, known as the Chida) that  
togetherness between people is possible only when there is humility.  
When the Israelites came to Mount Sinai, which is the symbol of  
humility, they internalized this attribute.

When you have humility, you do not feel a need to gain power over  
others or feel above them by focusing on their faults. When you have  
the trait of humility you can allow yourself to see the good in  
others. The traits of love for others, seeing the good in them, and  
having humility go hand in hand. By growing in these traits you make  
yourself into a more elevated person who is worthy of receiving the  
Torah.

Based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Z. Pliskin

The following was done just for fun, so those who do not appreciate  
g’matria, feel free to ignore.

The g'matria of Noach is 58. The word "khain" [58] means grace or  
favor (which Noah found).

  The g’matria of Sarah is 505.  The word “V’la-a-voseinu” [505] means  
“and to our forefathers” (or patriarchs). Sarah was the wife of the  
first patriarch.'

The g’matria of Yisro is 616. The word “HaTorah” [616] means “The  
Torah.” Yisro was the father-in-law of the most important prophet who  
received “The Torah.” Also, Rashi informs us that Yisro had seven  
names - Re'uel, Yeser, Yisro, Chovev, Chever, Keini, and Putiel. He  
was called Yeser (addition) for he advised Moshe in the matter of the  
judicial system, thereby adding on to "The Torah." When he converted  
and fulfilled the Mitzvos the letter "Vav" was added to his name,  
hence the name Yisro.

The g’matria of Korach is 308. The word “kivro” [308] means “his  
burial place” (or his grave).  Korach talked himself right into “his  
burial place.”

The g’matria of Balak is 132. The word “avono” [132] means “his  
iniquity.” In thinking of Balak, we can only think of “his  
iniquity” (in the collective sense).

R Wolberg

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