Parshas Yisro 5786: The Time is Now

Torah Parallels 

Parshas Yisro 

לעילוי נשמת האדא בת מרדכי 

 The Time is Now 

As B’nei Yisroel stand on the verge of Matan Torah, Hashem instructs Moshe to convey a carefully framed message. It begins by anchoring their relationship with Hashem in lived experience  - the makkos and Krias Yam Suf were not distant stories, but collective, firsthand encounters.  

Yet the Torah makes clear that this moment marks a transition. Scene One was rescue and nationhood; Scene Two is purpose and mission. B’nei Yisroel are about to receive Torah and Mitzvos, a framework for life itself. It is here that Hashem says, “וְעַתָּה” (“now”).  

Rashi (19:5), quoting the Mechilta, explains that this word reflects a deep truth: כל ההתחלות קשות, all beginnings are difficult. Yet Hashem promises that if we accept (קבלה) the Torah now, even when it feels heavy, it will become sweet going forward. 

The Mechilta itself words a little differently “התחיל אדם לשמוע, הכל נוח לו”, once a person begins to listen, everything becomes pleasant.  

There seems to be a key distinction between the התחלה itself and the קבלה/לשמוע which is a fast follow. The haschalah is the initial act of beginning. It is crossing the threshold. A kabbalah is something deeper: true acceptance, listening, and internalization. The Mechilta and Rashi are actually teaching a dual lesson here: First, that beginnings are hard and that crossing that threshold is critical to see any actualization. Second, that while beginnings are hard, internalization is what sets the journey on its way to be pleasant and sustainable. 

There are three stages in any process that is meant to last. First is the thought, the basic inspiration before any action is taken. Second is the haschalah, the courage to execute and begin. But third, and perhaps as critical, is the kabbalah – the ongoing engagement and internalization. 

One who only thinks but never acts remains irrelevant. One who begins but never internalizes eventually burns out. Only when beginning is followed by true internalization and acceptance does growth become sustainable and enjoyable.  

Science offers a helpful parallel to this idea. In chemistry, a reaction requires activation energy:  an initial investment of energy needed to overcome resistance and begin. That moment is the hardest; without it, nothing happens. But beginning alone is not always enough. Many reactions also require a continued energy input or a stable environment in order to proceed properly and not collapse. The start breaks the barrier, but sustained conditions allow the process to continue.  

With this framework, we can better understand a difficulty earlier in the parsha. The Torah tells us “וַיִּשְׁמַע יִתְרוֹ” — Yisro heard about the miracles of Yam Suf and the war with Amalek. The entire world heard these events, yet Yisro did something unique. 

He did not remain inspired at a distance. He acted. Rashi (18:5) emphasizes that Yisro left comfort and familiarity and entered the midbar, a place of nothingness, solely to hear words of Torah. This was his haschalah.  

Yet in this context, it is striking that only a few passukim later the Torah tells us that Moshe recounted to Yisro everything Hashem had done to Pharaoh and Mitzrayim. Rashi explains that Moshe did this to draw Yisro closer to Torah. But why was that necessary? That very story is what brought Yisro in the first place! 

Perhaps, as we have explained, there are multiple ingredients necessary for sustained growth. Inspiration may bring a person to the doorstep. Action allows him to enter. But only ongoing engagement- haschalah combined with kabbalah, allows him to remain. 

Moshe was not convincing Yisro to begin. He was helping him internalize, deepen, and stay. 

Indeed, beginnings are hard. In a world of instant access and minimal patience, anything that requires effort feels overwhelming. Yet the very principle of כל ההתחלות קשות reminds us that if something feels easy, we may not have truly begun. 

The Torah teaches us to jump in decisively and then to remain engaged with patience and perspective. When beginning is followed by true acceptance, the burden transforms into sweetness. 

May Hashem help provide us with sparks of innovations, the courage to jump right in, and the support to maintain engagement to succeed and realize the sweetness of Torah and Mitzvos.