The AJR Center for Judaism and Science has an annual competition for the best student D’var Torah infused with science. Click here to view the entries that have won our לדעת חכמה (Lada’at Hokhmah) Award.
Parashat Yitro 5786
February 2, 2026
Rabbi Scott “Shalom” Klein
K’Ish Ehad: Organizational Infrastructure as a Path to Unity A D’var Torah for Parashat Yitro By Rabbi Scott “Shalom” Klein Parashat Yitro stands as the essential fulcrum of the Book of Exodus, marking the transition from a newly liberated population to a covenanted nation at the foot of Sinai. This portion offers a profound exploration of the nature of communal leadership, the ethics of delegation, and the radical openness required to receive the Divine law. By examining the structural wisdom of an outsider and the communal unity required for the Aseret HaDibrot, we find a timeless blueprint for the rabbinate, particularly for those serving in the pluralistic environments of the military or the intimate settings of small-town pulpits. The Parashah begins with a singular focus on an outsider through the words “וַיִּשְׁמַע יִתְרוֹ”—”And Yitro heard” (Exodus 18:1). While the entire world heard of the Exodus, the Midrash in Zevahim 116a...
Parashat Yitro – 5785
February 10, 2025
Susan Elkodsi
In this week’s Torah portion, Rabbi Susan Elkodsi sees Yitro’s advice to Moses as a reminder that strong and effective leaders also need to care for their own wellbeing.
Parashat Yitro 5784
January 31, 2024
Rabbi Rob Scheinberg
Moses was famously close with his father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro), the Priest of Midian. This week’s Torah portion is named after Yitro, celebrating the reunion between Moses and Yitro shortly after the Exodus from Egypt.
Parashat Yitro 5783
February 6, 2023
Click HERE for an audio recording of this D’var Torah A D’var Torah for Parashat Yitro By Rabbi Greg Schindler (’09) “She generally gave herself very good advice (although she very seldom followed it)” Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll How good are you at taking advice? I know that I could use a lot of work in this department, especially when it comes to unsolicited advice. If someone starts a sentence with, “I think you should”, I often nod my head appreciatively… and tune out. This seems to be a part of human nature. According to research, people generally start out with a personal bias towards their own opinions, and discount the advice of others. Most of us feel like the Duchess in Alice: “If everybody minded their own business ..the world would go round a deal faster than it does.” Perhaps to counteract this bias, our tradition is replete with advice about taking advice:...
Parashat Yitro 5782
January 21, 2022
Click HERE for an audio recording of this D’var Torah A D’var Torah for Parashat Yitro By Rabbi Matthew Goldstone This week the American Jewish community finds itself processing the events of last Shabbat, during which a rabbi and three congregants were taken hostage in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. As a minority in the United States, many are reflecting on the dangers of being Jewish in this moment. Our parasha this week mentions the names of Moshe’s sons, the meanings of which echo sentiments some of us may be feeling: Gershom, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land,” and Eliezer, “The God of my father was my help, and God delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh” (Exod. 18:3-4). In some ways, despite having been a presence in North America for hundreds of years, we are still strangers, those who are misunderstood by the majority of people (as highlighted by the antisemitic...
