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The first thing that Yitro did which deserved Bnei Yisrael’s appreciation was his refusal to take part in the meeting that Paroh held to discuss the "Jewish problem." The gemara (Sota 11a) says: "There were three who were involved in Paroh’s plan: Bilam, who gave the advice, was killed. Iyov, who was silent, was judged with afflictions. Yitro, who ran away, merited having descendants sitting in the seat of the Sanhedrin.
Moshe ended up helping Yitro by saving the latter’s daughters from the shepherds. Yitro returned the favor by offering Moshe a place to stay ... and his daughter, Tzipora, as a wife. Hashem recognized Yitro’s generosity, as the midrash tells: "From here we learn that whoever accepted upon himself to do a mitzva, that mitzva does not leave his house. Yitro accepted a redeemer (Moshe) in his house who ran away from an enemy (Paroh). There arose in his house one (Yael) who accepted an enemy (Sisra) who ran away from a redeemer (Barak) and killed him" (Shemot Rabba 4).
After the Exodus from Egypt, Yitro renewed the relationship and at that time taught Bnei Yisrael another lesson in hakarat hatov. This time he recognized Hashem, saying: "Blessed is (baruch) Hashem, who saved you from the hand of Egypt and the hand of Paroh" (Shemot 18:10). Chazal even criticized Bnei Yisrael for not noticing the appropriateness of using baruch in thanking Hashem for the miracles (Sanhedrin 94a).
The mutual hakart hatov between Bnei Yisrael and Yitro’s family found expression after Bnei Yisrael settled in Eretz Yisrael, as well. The Beit Hamikdash was eventually built on a tract of land that belonged partially to the tribe of Yehuda and partially to that of Binyamin. This land was swapped with an area around Yericho, which was given for safekeeping to Yitro’s descendants. 1,000 years later, on the eve of the exile, Yirmiyah praised the family for this and said that they would always have members sitting of the Sanhedrin (Mechilta D’Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai 18:27).
It is important for us to remember that those non-Jews who show us friendship and act with honesty toward us deserve commensurate appreciation. It is wrong when we do not return the favors or complain that they are not even more helpful than they already are.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.