Chapter 18

v1-2] Yitro
Yitro, who was Chieftan of the Midianites, hears about G-d's helping the Hebrews (v1). He decides it is time to visit him, and takes Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom (גר־שׁם) — because his father was stranger in a foreign land — and Eliezar (אלי־אזר) — because G-d came to Moses' rescue (v2) — at the Mountain of G-d (v6).

n18:1] "Hand of Egypt", which is used three times, seems to be an expression of the time, for the Hand of G-d is also used often. How far one's hand stretches over the people or the land is indicative of the breadth of one's influence. Today, we say things like: "Keep it in hand"; "Get a hand(le) on it"; "I want a hand in it"; "Let's shake hands to close the deal"; "Gotta hand it to him"; "It got handed to him on a platter".

v7-9] Arrival
Upon Yitro's arrival, Moses prostrates himself, and welcomes him into his tent (v7), where he recounts the story in detail. (v8)
Yitro is very happy about the outcome, and especially "tingling" (some say with delight, some say with anxiety) over G-d's help for our people (v9).

v10-12] Bless the Lord.
He then proceeds to bless the Lord, acknowledging his power and eminence. He then decides to convert and offers sacrifices to HaShem.

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v13-16] Judge
Moses sits and judges the people, while they wait from morning to evening to get an audience with him (v13). Jethro questions his method, asking "Why do you do it by yourself?" He claims that he will just exhaust himself and the people for he is only one (v14). Moses answers that the people come to him to seek G-d and G-d's words and that he needs to teach them the laws and statutes (v15-16). "I judge between a man and his fellow. I make known the decrees of G-d and his teachings!" he says (v17).

n13]
In that time, the Teacher sits, and the pupils stand as a sign of respect. It is the opposite today.

n13] Yom Kippur — is the day of forgiveness, when Jews forgive one another and join as a single nation

v18-23] Delegate
Jethro then proceeds to instruct Moses. He start off: "If you continue this way, you will wear yourself out, and then you will no longer be able to help the people" (v18). He says to Moses: "You will hear the words of your people, and you will bring their matters to G-d (v19). You shall teach and explain G-d's statutes to them (v20). However, choose men of substance as leaders (v21), and men of integrity as Judges (v22) so that you may survive (v23)

n18] Father-in-law

Why is the term "father-in-law" (חותן) used so often? Thirteen times in all?

Some sages say that it is to represent the change of loyalties of Yitro. That he has now become a part of the Mosaic family, and no longer of the Midianites. Whereas, once he was distinguished because he was a Midianite Chieftan, and now his distinguished by the fact that he is Moses' father-in-law.

Jewish perspective 

However, it is also perhaps that from the Jewish point of view of that he was no longer of importance as Yitro, the High Priest of the Midianites.

I believe he should be, and perhaps is — after all, the reading of the culminating event of the Exodus, the giving of the Ten Commandments at Sinai is named after him — acknowledged for the support and sustenance that he provided Moshe Rabeinu.

n21] Discernment

1. Men of accomplishment
   This indicates men of wealth, which should enable them to resist pressure to influence their judgment.

Wealth & Greed: 

This we know not is not necessarily true. In fact, it often seems to be the opposite — those that have so much just can't seem to be wanting more. Often these wealthy men of accomplishment, ones who have spent their lives accumulating and thus, unless G-d fearing, are likely to be easily swayed if it serves their purposes.

2. God-fearing
3. Men of truth
4. Despise money

In a nutshell, one could describe them as "God-fearing men of Truth who despise money."This is where the need for men of accomplishment comes in."

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v24-26] Moses followed Jethro's advice, and chose leaders and judges to help settle disputes and disagreements amongst the people.
n15:25] Marah - bitter
n15:26] "Hearken to what you hear; do what is just; give your ear to the comman man and observe the decrees and you will have no 'disease'".

Circular narrative: 

If the narrative is circular (with reflections and symmetries), what decrees and ordinances is HaShem referring to? For He says: "I will establish my decrees and ordinances...".

v27] Jethro returns home to Midian.

Chapter 19

v1-2]
Three months had passed since the Exodus. The people had left Rephidim and were in the Sinai desert, camped at the foot of the Mountain of G-d. Jethro comes to them at the mountain

v3-6] Ascension
Moses ascends to G-d and HaShem called to him, {Note: Should this be in opposite order. First the calling, then the ascension?}, saying: "Say to the people (v3). You have seen what I have done! (v4) If you obey me and keep my commandments, you will be a treasure unto Me (v5). You will become a kingdom of Kohanim (priests) - ממלכת כוהנים, and a holy nation - גוי קדושׁ (v6).

Miracles:
10 plagues, splitting of the Red Sea, cloud by day & fire by night,
sweeten the water, water from the rock.

• ויחד - rejoice (Aramaic)

• "Tell them, they have seen what I can do"

1. Egypt : מצריים
2. Eagle : נשׁר
3. Brought you to Me: אָבִא אתכם אלי

• And now if you:

1. Hearken to Me : תשׁמעו בקולִי ( -> released from Egypt)
2. ֺObserve My Covenant ( -> fly as high as the eagle )

• Then you shall be to me
  1. Most beloved treasure of all My people : סגולה מכל העמים
  2. A kingdom of ministers : ממלכת כוהנים
  3. A holy nation : גוי קדוש ( -> close to G-d )
• ַאשׁר צוָּהוּ יהוה

Everything we shall do: כל אשׁר דבר יהוה נעשׂה

v7-8] Elders
After having received the words from G-d, Moses assembled the elders and placed the words before them (v7). The people respond "We shall do". Moses took the words of the people back to G-d (v8). {Note: This is an example of a "missing detail". G-d speaks to Moses, who speaks to the elders, who then tell the people, and back again.}

v9-10] Cloud

God says, "I will speak to you from the thickness of the cloud, so that they people can hear, and so that they will believe in me" (v9).{Note: Yet, according to the narrative, G-d summons Moses to ascend the mountain, who then transmits it to the elders, etc.} "Go to the people" (v11). {Note: Also contradicts v9. If the people can hear G-d speaking from the cloud, why would Moses need to repeat everything to them?} Today and tomorrow, prepare, wash your garments (v10). On the third day ’ה will descend before the people"

v12-13] Boundaries
God continues: "Set boundaries for the people, that none shall approach the mount, lest they die (v12). No hand shall touch the mountain, lest they die. When the ram's horn sounds, the people may ascend the mountain (v13).

v14] Descended
Moses descended from the mountain. The people prepared themselves and they washed themselves (v14). {Note: It does not say 'Moses told them', so perhaps they did hear these instructions from the cloud.}

v15] However, he does say to them, "Be ready. You must keep away from women. {Note: Did Moses add this restriction, as G-d did not explicitly say this. However, if the people heard the conversation, they they might object, unless G-d had actually said that.}

v16-20] 3rd day
On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning above the mountain, and a thick cloud descended upon the mountain, while a loud shofar blast rang out (v16). The people gather at the bottom of the smoking mountain (v17-18). The shofar rang out, Moses spoke, G-d answered (v19). G-d is on the peak, summons Moses who then ascends (v20).

Mountain: 

Could the mountain not mean heights, just as the negev would mean south? The mt is symbolic of a height that is above the norm. It also is indicative of the principle that G-d does not descend to our level, as low as us. He requires us to "ascend the mountain" - a spiritual mountain - in order to meet with Him.

v21-25] Go down
G-d says, "Go down again. Warn the people not to approach the mountain (v21). Tell the priests to prepare themselves (v22). {Note: It is unclear what extra preparation the priests were supposed to carry out.} Moses responds, saying that the people have been warned, and thus, no one will approach the mountain (v23). God insists, "Go down. Ascend with Aaron. But the priests and populace may not ascend (v24). {Note: Have the instructions changed? The people were supposed to ascend the mountain upon the hearing the blast of the shofar (from v13).} Moses obeys (v25).

Chapter 20

v1-2] God spoke these words:

v2] "I am the Lord, your God, who took you out of bondage in Egypt, out of bondage."

v3] No other G-ds
"You shall have no other G-d's besides me."

v4] No graven images
"You shall make no graven images of me or anything that exists in heaven, on earth, or in the water." (v4).

v5] Not worship them
"You shall neither prostrate yourselves to them nor worship them." (v5).

v6] Kind
"I am kind to those who love me (and obey my commandments).

v7] Name in vain
"Do not use my name in vain."

v8-11] Sabbath
"Remember the Sabbath day (v8). Keep it holy. Six day shall you labour (v9), and on the seventh you shall rest (v10), for G-d made heaven and earth in six days, and rested on the seventh" (v11).

v12] Honour
"Honour thy father and mother."

v13] Do not (x4)
Do not murder, carry out adultery, steal, bear false witness.

v14] Covet
"Do not covet your neighbours possessions."

Ten Commandments (at end of Yitro)

I. Jealous G-d
II. No graven images
III. Name in Vain
IV. Sabbath
V. Honour father & mother
VI-IX. Not murder, adultery, steal, bear false witness
I. Not covet

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v15-16] Saw voices
The people saw voices and torches, - רואים את הקולות - heard the sound of the shofar, the smoke pouring off the mountain, and were afraid (v15). They said to Moses: "You speak for us" (v16).

v17-18] Calm
Moses tried to calm them down, saying "Fear not. G-d is hear to help you, not harm you." Then Moses entered the opaque darkness (of the cloud) (v18).

v19] Seen
G-d says to Moses: "Tell the people what you have seen.

v20] Images
"They may make no images of any of My divine beings" {Note: This must be important to Him, as it is repeated here.}

v21] Altar
"Make an altar of earth for you to sacrifice to Me (v12). When you make an altar of stones, it shall be made of one piece. No iron shall touch it (v22). It will have no steps so that your nakedness may not be revealed before me" (v23).

Altar of earth: 

The first altar is one of earth. Which is interesting, as the earth is necessary for our sustenance. Also, the revealing of one's nakedness on the approach to the altar is also intriguing. Could the "stones" be thought of as sentient enough to be embarrassed at the sight of your nakedness?

Haftorah - Isaiah 6:1-13

v1] Image of G-d
v2] Seraphim
v3] "Holy, Holy, Holy"
v4] Doorposts quaked

v5] I am lost
v6] Coal
v7] Touch my mouth

*v8] Send
"Who shall I send?"

v9] Understand
God says to him: "Say you do not understand"

v10]
G-d says that the people are closed to Him, so he is going to remove them. When they are $1/10$ of the population, there will be another purge.