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Hebrew Text
וַיִּחַדְּ יִתְרוֹ עַל כָּל־הַטּוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה יְהוָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הִצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרָיִם׃
English Translation
And Yitro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Yisra᾽el, whom he had delivered out of the hand of Miżrayim.
Transliteration
Vayichad Yitro al kol-hatovah asher-asah Adonai le-Yisrael asher hitsilo miyad Mitzrayim.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיִּ֣חַדְּ יִתְר֔וֹ עַ֚ל כׇּל־הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִצִּיל֖וֹ מִיַּ֥ד מִצְרָֽיִם׃
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Sanhedrin 94a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the joy and recognition of God's miracles by non-Jews, specifically focusing on Yitro's reaction to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
📖 Zevachim 116a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the reactions of various nations to the miracles performed for Israel, highlighting Yitro's unique response of rejoicing.
Yitro's Joy and Recognition of Hashem's Goodness
The verse states: "וַיִּחַדְּ יִתְרוֹ עַל כָּל־הַטּוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה יְהוָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל" ("And Yitro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Yisra᾽el"). Rashi explains that Yitro's joy ("וַיִּחַדְּ") was not merely superficial but a deep, heartfelt recognition of Hashem's kindness to the Jewish people. The term "וַיִּחַדְּ" can also be understood as "his flesh became prickly" (from the root חדד), suggesting that Yitro was so moved that he experienced a physical reaction—goosebumps—upon hearing of the miracles Hashem performed for Israel.
The Nature of the "Goodness"
The phrase "כָּל־הַטּוֹבָה" ("all the goodness") is interpreted broadly by the Midrash (Mechilta Yitro 1) to include:
Ramban adds that Yitro recognized not only the physical salvation from Egypt but also the spiritual elevation of Israel as a nation chosen to receive the Torah.
Yitro's Personal Connection
The verse emphasizes that Yitro rejoiced specifically for what Hashem did "לְיִשְׂרָאֵל" ("for Israel"). The Talmud (Zevachim 116a) notes that Yitro, as a former priest of Midian, had worshipped every idol in the world but found them empty. Only upon hearing of Hashem's miracles did he attain true clarity and joy. This teaches that genuine recognition of Hashem leads to simcha (joy) and gratitude.
Deliverance from Egypt as a Foundation
The concluding phrase "אֲשֶׁר הִצִּילוֹ מִיַּד מִצְרָיִם" ("whom He had delivered out of the hand of Egypt") underscores the centrality of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus) in Jewish faith. The Sforno explains that Yitro understood Egypt’s tyranny and thus appreciated the magnitude of Hashem’s intervention. This deliverance was not merely political but a divine affirmation of Israel’s covenantal destiny.