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Why did Yisro praise Hashem (ה׳)'s greatness specifically for measure-for-measure punishment? The shiur explores how Yisro's status as a convert gave him a dual perspective—both Jewish joy at salvation and universal awareness of Egyptian suffering. This enabled him to perceive God's restraint: a measured rescue mission rather than total destruction, revealing divine greatness the Jewish people themselves missed.
Rabbi Zweig opens with a Gemara (גמרא) from Makkos describing four sages who heard Roman soldiers on parade. Three cried at the wicked prospering; Rabbi Akiva laughed, saying if the wicked receive such success, imagine the righteous's reward. The shiur asks: what is their fundamental dispute? The parsha records that Yisro heard about the miracles, came to convert, and after Moshe recounted the story, Yisro rejoiced and blessed Hashem (ה׳). He then declared, "Now I know God is greater than all gods." The Gemara in Sanhedrin notes it was a genai (disgrace) that the Jewish people needed Yisro to say "Baruch Hashem"—they had sung Shiras HaYam but never used this specific formulation. Why is this considered a deficiency when they sang such magnificent praise?
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Shemos 18:9-11 (Parshas Yisro)
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