“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
Exodus 20:8-11

Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, February 7th, is Parashat Yitro. In this week’s reading of Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, arrives at the Israelite encampment and advises them to set up a smoothly functioning legal system. The Israelites experience the divine revelation at Mount Sinai, and hear the Ten Commandments.

Root Source began with a simple calling—to show up in faith and love. Today, that calling needs committed partners to carry it forward. Check below!

Join us in exploring the Weekly Bible Chapter: What Ought to be Beautiful in the Eye of the Beholder? by Avidan Freedman with Rabbi Avraham Norin, and let’s learn and reflect together! 

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Yitro, and share your thoughts with us!

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about Beshalach. Watch it below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Alan Latta have to share. Watch it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Jaffa Beach, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell 
Root Source Founders

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, having heard about all the miracles that G‑d wrought for the Israelites, came from his native Midian to the Israelite desert encampment—bringing along Moses’ wife and two sons. Moses warmly greeted his father-in-law, and recounted to him all that G‑d had done to the Egyptians. Jethro thanked G‑d for all the miracles, and offered thanksgiving sacrifices.

A personal note from Gidon

Root Source was born from a belief that showing up matters—rooted in faith, responsibility, and a deep love for Israel. At this pivotal moment, we invite you to help carry that mission forward by becoming a committed monthly partner.

What exactly is problematic about an animal with a blemish? Is it considered an insult to God, as Rashi suggests in his commentary on priestly disqualifications? This isn’t the explanation that the Torah offers.

Gidon and Alan discussed Israel, Jewish identity, biblical themes, and the concept of fearing God, with Alan sharing insights from his church's "Hot Topics" series. They explored the meaning of fear in God's commandments, distinguishing between reverence and literal fear, and referenced biblical texts like the Ten Commandments and Leviticus. Alan planned to study the Book of Revelation, while Gidon shared his work on editing and translating a Holocaust survivor’s autobiography.

Comments

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Here is one from Sister Georjean Alllenbach on 
a blog: How did The Echoes Bible HAPPEN?:
 

"I am praying that others get ‘fired-up” about these books. I continually reference them, share them with others as we discuss Scripture and truly want to glean more from this very unique word study."

Jaffa Beach, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Enjoy this photo of the Jaffa Beach, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel by Judah Guttmann. 

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