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I have never been particularly good at reaching out to ask for help. Saving the psychoanalysis for another time, I have historically tried - often to my detriment - to handle things on my own. I’ve been reflecting upon this personal trait in light of this week’s Torah portion, Yitro.

Early in the parasha, we find Moses “holding court,” serving as the sole judge for the entire community and sitting from morning until evening each day while the people essentially waited their turn in line to see him. However, when his father-in-law Yitro (i.e. Jethro) arrives and sees what is happening, he confronts Moses: “What in the world are you doing? Why are you acting alone, making everyone stand around you and wait all day long?” Moses answers that it is up to him to resolve all of the disputes the people bring, making God’s laws and teachings clear to everyone. One can almost hear Yitro’s air of disapproval: “What you are doing simply isn’t right. You’ll not only wear yourself out, but the people as well! It’s too much for one person and you need to get some help.” At which point, Yitro advises Moses to appoint many individuals who can serve as judges for the community, leaving only the most challenging matters for him to resolve. In this way, Yitro asserts, Moses will avoid burn-out, and the exasperation of waiting experienced by people in the community will also be eliminated. Moses accepts his father-in-law’s advice.

Unsurprisingly, Yitro’s counsel to Moses is referenced with some frequency - at least in Jewish settings - for its timeless wisdom regarding the challenges and negative consequences of trying to “go it alone,” wisdom I have tried to employ more often through the years. Equally significant, though, is Moses’s ability to receive and employ the advice that was given to him. This aspect of the text has also elicited questions for personal reflection this week and, I believe, similarly merits all of our consideration:

• Who are the “Yitros” in my life?
• From whom am I able to accept advice and guidance, who not, and why?
• Am I open to the possibility that other(s) may hold particular insights or wisdom that might be helpful?

Recognizing the importance of reaching out for assistance and remaining open to shared wisdom and counsel from wherever they may come… these personal qualities worthy of emulation might very well yield revelatory results and new truths, as they clearly do for Moses who, later in this same portion, receives the Ten Commandments.