Yisro originally served as a high priest of Avoda Zara in Midyan. After learning every type of idolatry in the world, he recognized the truth of Torah and became a Jew. He was Moshe’s father-in-law and is known for his suggestion to create a judicial system to assist Moshe in the task of implementing justice for the Jewish people.
Jewish year: He lived sometime between 2300 – 2500*
There is no record of when he was born or died – we can only guess… if he was one of Pharaoh’s advisors at the beginning of the enslavement, he must have been born before 2332, the year the enslavement started. Let’s say he was 20 yrs old at the time, which means he would have been born in 2312. As for when he died, he was alive for Matan Torah in 2448 and presumably some years after once he went back home to Midyan to convert the rest of his family. We can guess that he died in 2454, which would mean he was 142 when he died. But this is guesswork…
Secular year: He lived sometime between 1461 – 1261 BCE*
*There is no certain historical record
6 different color markers
Tray
Enough water to cover the bottom of the tray
Paper
3 tissues
Pencil
Lay a tissue on the paper
Choose 2 markers to draw lines going across the length of the tissue creating a pattern.
Lay the pencil across the width of the tissue, and roll the pencil so the tissue gets wrapped around the pencil.
Bunch up the tissue tightly from both sides of the pencil, and slide it off the pencil carefully.
Repeat these steps with the next two tissues.
Pour the water into the tray.
One at a time drop your tissues into the water and watch them grow!
Yisro had many names, including Yeser, Chever, Reu’el, and Keini.
Yisro’s arrival in the desert and conversion to Yiddishkeit was a preparation for Matan Torah. How so? Matan Torah broke the limitations between physicality and spirituality, allowing people to fuse physical items with G-dliness. For example, physical Tefillin straps now had intrinsic holiness. Yisro paved the way for this by reaching beyond his limitations. He could have converted in the comfort of his home. Instead, he journeyed a long way to the desert.
Just as Yisro went beyond his comfort zone to become a Jew, we too can go the extra mile for Hashem. For example, we can say a Bracha on food loud and clear, or bring in Shabbos a few minutes early.
What is a Mitzvah you already do, that you can do in a more beautiful “extra” way?