Sometimes a question is so obvious you wonder why it was not asked before. Take for example, the dialogue recorded shortly after the beginning of this week’s Torah reading: Yisro reproaches Moshe for having the entire Jewish people wait for his judgment on every matter. After consulting with G‑d, Moshe conceded and adopted his father-in-law’s suggestion to do what is practical and appointed judges to arbitrate the day-to-day disputes that arise between Jews. So what was he thinking originally? Why didn’t he recognize a difficulty that was so self-evident?

Yisro: What Happened at Sinai

Likkutei Sichos, Volume 6, Yisro 2

By The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

The Giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai was not only a historical event. Every day, we relive that experience. This is reflected in our praise of G‑d as “the Giver of the Torah,” using the present tense, and highlighted by the mandate of our Sages to always view the Torah as “something new which we receive today.”

Yisro: Yisro’s Achievment

Likkutei Sichos, Volume 11, Yisro 1

By The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

Why is the Torah reading that describes the Giving of the Torah called Yisro? True, Yisro was Moshe’s father-in-law; he provided Moshe with valuable advice and was a sincere convert. However, when naming this Torah reading, it would seem natural to call it Moshe, or Sinai, or something else that somehow reflects the unique importance of this watershed moment in the world’s spiritual history.