Shanee Markovitz, Southern NCSY, National Ambassador of Education
Parahsat Yitro is filled with some of Bnei Israel’s most pivotal moments in the entire Torah. It is within this very Parasha that we are given the ten commandments and spoken to by G-D Himself. With these monumental steps that Bnei Israel take towards a long lasting connection with their creator, two important leadership lessons are oftentimes overlooked- both taught by the man whom this Parasha is named after. Yitro is reintroduced to us in the beginning of this Parasha and is shown tremendous respect by Moshe, who leaves his tent to great Yitro-“ וַיֵּצֵא מֹשֶׁה לִקְרַאת חֹתְנוֹ”. In return, Yitro, who is the chief of Midyan (and henceforth NOT Jewish), recognizes G-D’s greatness and offers Him praises. However, Yitro displays frustration towards Moshe. When Moshe tells him that the people come directly to him with any and all of their problems, Yitro teaches us all an invaluable lesson on leadership: delegation. Yes, Moshe was the center of the Jewish people at the time. His spirituality exceeds the boundaries of our imagination, and he was the direct link to G-D and to answers. But even Moshe could not do it all himself. Even Moshe needed to learn to expand the leadership and make room for others to help him. From this we learn that is is absolutely vital for a leader to know his or her limitations and to ask for help when necessary. Even more so, though, is a reminder that in order to be a true leader, one must enable others to lead and show them the way