Parashas Yisro begins with the arrival of Yisro, Moshe's father-in-law, to the camp of B'nei Yisrael. The Torah tells that Moshe and Yisro embraced and kissed upon seeing each other, and the verse adds, "va-yish'alu ish le-re'ehu le-shalom" (literally, "each asked after the other's welfare" – 18:7). Rashi, citing from the Mechilta, understands this verse to mean that one of the two men inquired as to the other's welfare; the person referred to as "ish" ("man") asked after the welfare of "re'ehu" – his fellow. The question then arises, of course, as to which of the two men initiated the greeting. The Mechilta solves the mystery by citing a verse from Sefer Bamidbar (12:3), which employs the word "ish" in reference to Moshe: "veha'ish Moshe anav meod" ("The man Moshe was very humble"). Apparently, Rashi writes, it was Moshe – the "ish" – who inquired as to the welfare of Yisro, and not vice-versa.

Chizkuni, in his commentary here in Parashat Yisro, cites Rashi's remarks and then notes that Yisro, too, is referred to with the description "ish." We read in Parashas Shemos that when Yisro first invites Moshe into his tent, "Moshe agreed to dwell with the 'ish'" – referring, of course, to Yisro. On what basis, then, can Rashi conclude that it was Moshe who initiated the greeting to Yisro, and not vice-versa? Chizkuni answers that Rashi here is basing himself on more than the mere reference to Moshe with the term "ish." Rashi determines who initiated the greeting based on the Torah's description of Moshe in Parashas Bamidbar as the most humble man. Moshe's unsurpassed humility led Rashi to conclude that he, rather than Yisro, initiated this greeting.

What is the connection between humility, and extending a greeting and inquiring as to the welfare of another?

The mishna in Pirkei Avot (4:14) bids us, "hevei makdim be-shalom kol adam" – to extend a greeting to every person. The Maharal explains that by making a point to greet somebody, one demonstrates the respect he feels towards that person. In so doing, then, he displays his humility, he shows that he does not deem himself too important to express interest in the welfare of the other person. We might add that when a person extends a greeting to another, he automatically leaves his own, personal domain and involves himself – at least to some extent – in the needs and concerns of another. This, too, contains an element of humility. When the mishna encourages us to greet other people, it in effect instructs us to express interest in people other than ourselves and get involved in the lives of those around us. One must never feel too important to express interest in the lives of others, and thus extending a greeting serves as an expression of humility and regard for other people.

Accordingly, Rashi concludes that it was Moshe, the humblest of all men, who initiated the greeting to Yisro. Moshe at this moment thought not of himself, but of his father-in-law. Rather than immediately informing Yisro of all that he had achieved since they had last seen one another (maybe, like the fact that he just served as God's prophet to release His nation from bondage), his first words to Yisro were about Yisro. Moshe serves as the paradigm of moving outside of one's own personal context and expressing interest in the lives and welfare of others.

Rabbi Noam Horowitz

The Band Club at Rambam is both a learning experience and a good way to kick back and play some music in the middle of a hard day of learning. During club hour, many talented student musicians are able to meet and create music together. The exposure to new musical ideas and different ways of playing songs helps them improve as musicians. The variety of music the band works on over the course of the year is all in effort to gain skills and to have fun doing so.

Sam Grill

Monday, February 8 - JV & V Hockey @ HAFTR 7:00 & 8:30 PM.

Tuesday, February 9 - JV BBL vs. Ezra 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, February 10 - 9th thru 11th grade trip day. Students will choose between The Basketball Hall of Fame/Nomads Adventure Quest, or skiing and snowboarding @ Mountain Creek.

Thursday, February 11 - JV & V BBL @ HANC 7:00 & 8:30 PM.

Reminder: There will be no school Friday, February 12th thru Sunday, February 14th, in observance of President’s Weekend.