Yisro was an idol worshipper. In fact, he had worshiped every idol that was known to exist.

How could the Parsha in which the Torah is given be named after an idol worshipper?

The idol worshippers were not fools, at it may seem at first glance. Rather, they were intellectuals, who spent their lives pondering the higher spheres of existence.

So, when Yisro, Priest of Midian, abandoned idolatry and came to the desert, it was an informed decision. And when he said, "Now I know that G-d is greater than all the other deities" (18:11), he was accrediting Torah with the honor that an esteemed individual testified that Torah is the greatest wisdom of all. In this way, he "handed over" his idol worship to the Torah.

Chasidus teaches that there is a subtle overtone of "idol worship" in any mitzvah that is done for an ulterior motive. The idol worshipper looks to a force other than G-d, and a mitzvah that is performed without the correct intentions is also an act which is done for a motive other than G-d's Will.

Obviously, the comparison is an extremely remote one.

Even if a mitzvah is performed far the wrong reasons, or out of rote, it is still a good deed.

But the fact remains that an ulterior motive makes a mitzvah "smell" of idol worship.

Does that mean that a person should stop doing mitzvos if his motive is not pure?

Not at all! A person should always continue to observe the mitzvos, even if his motives are not entirely pure, because eventually he will do them for the right reasons.

Then, he wiII become like Yisro. Because all the good deeds that he performed for the wrong reasons (his former 'idol worship') will be "handed back over" to G-d.

(Based on Sichas Shabbos Parshas Yisro 5737)

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Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears of the great miracles which G-d performed for the people of Israel, and comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. Jethro advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist him in the task of governing and administrating justice to the people.

The Children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where they are told that G-d has chosen them to be His "kingdom of priests" and "holy nation." The people respond by proclaiming, "All that G-d has spoken, we shall do."

On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai. G-d descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Moses to ascend.

G-d proclaims the Ten Commandments, commanding the people of Israel to believe in G-d, not to worship idols or take G-d's name in vain, to keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, and not to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet another's property. The people cry out to Moses that the revelation is too intense for them to bear, begging him to receive the Torah from G-d and convey it to them.

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General Overview: In this week's reading, 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.

First Aliyah: Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, having heard 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.

Second Aliyah: Jethro observed Moses adjudicating all the disputes that arose among the Israelites. Jethro suggested to Moses that such a system, one that placed such a great burden on Moses' shoulders, would eventually wear him down. Instead, he advised Moses to appoint a hierarchy of wise and righteous judges and to delegate his responsibilities—with Moses presiding only over the most difficult cases. This would also free up Moses' time to teach the Israelites the teachings of the Torah that he hears from G‑d.

Third Aliyah: Moses accepted his father-in-law's suggestion, and set up a hierarchical judicial system. Jethro then returned to his native land.

Fourth Aliyah: Six weeks after leaving Egypt, the Israelites arrived in the Sinai Desert and encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses ascended the mountain where G‑d gave him a message to transmit to the people. Included in this message was G‑d's designation of the Israelites as "His treasure out of all peoples" and a "kingdom of princes and a holy nation."

Fifth Aliyah: Moses conveyed to the people G‑d's words, who, in turn, accepted upon themselves to do all that G‑d commands of them. G‑d then instructed Moses to have the Israelites prepare themselves, because in three days' time He would reveal Himself atop the mountain to the entire nation. The Israelites were commanded to sanctify themselves and were warned not to approach the mountain until after the divine revelation. On the morning of the third day, thunder, lightning, a thick cloud and the piercing sound of a shofar emanated from the mountaintop. Mt. Sinai was smoking and trembling, while the sound of the shofar grew steadily louder. Moses escorted the shuddering and frightened nation to the mountain, and settled them at its base.

Sixth Aliyah: G‑d descended upon the mountain, and summoned Moses to its summit. G‑d instructed Moses to again warn the Israelites about the tragic end that awaited anyone who approaches the mountain itself. Only Moses and his brother Aaron were allowed on the mountain during this time. G‑d then spoke the Ten Commandments to the Israelite nation. They are: 1) Belief in G‑d. 2) Not to worship idols. 3) Not to take G‑d's name in vain. 4) To keep the Shabbat. 5) To honor parents. 6) Not to murder, 7) commit adultery, 8) steal, 9) bear false witness or 10) covet another's property.

Seventh Aliyah: The Israelites were left traumatized by the overwhelming revelation, the awesome "light and sound" show. They turned to Moses and asked that from thereon he serve as an intermediary between them and G‑d—Moses should hear G‑d's word and transmit it to the people. Moses agreed. The reading concludes with a prohibition against creating idolatrous graven images – considering that no image was seen when G‑d revealed Himself on Mount Sinai – and the commandment to erect a sacrificial altar. The altar stones should not be hewn with iron implements, nor should there be steps leading to the top of the altar.

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