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In this week’s Parsha, Moshe’s father-in-law, Yitro returned from the wilderness along with Moshe’s wife and sons, reuniting their family. Yitro found himself so amazed and impressed with the Exodus from Egypt that he converted to Judaism. Upon his arrival, Yitro also suggested that subsidiary judges be appointed to tend to smaller issues throughout the nation, in order that Moshe have more availability to deal with larger ones. Shortly after, Bnei Yisroel arrived at Mt. Sinai in order to receive the Torah. The Ten Commandments were given and the Jewish nation accepted them. 

It can be argued that Parshat Yitro is essentially the most important Parsha in the Torah due to the deliverance of The Ten Commandments. However, the Parsha is named after Yitro, Moshe’s convert father-in-law, rather than directly addressing the acceptance of The Ten Commandments. The question then arises, why did Yitro merit such an honorable mention in the Torah? Because Yitro always sought the truth. Before Yitro was introduced to Judaism, the one true religion, he investigated every form of idol worship and tried out every cult. When finally familiarized with Judaism, Yitro came to the realization that his previous practices were indeed false and then proceeded to reject all idolatry due to it’s falsehood. 

The decision of naming the Parsha after Yitro demonstrates the correct way to acquire the Torah: by searching for the truth and being critical. By naming the Parsha after Yitro, we learn to discount falsity and readily forfeit everything and anything for the truth, thus, validating the title choice of this week’s Parsha.