Behalosecha: Ascent andd fall

THe name of the parsha can be taken to mean" when you make yourself rise," when you become like an olah. The chapter is full of rise and fall. The people arise to the half of journeying away from Mount Sinai. But because of the burden of the journey they fall into complaining. Jethro rises to be invited to join the people but he seems to reject the invitation. Once more, the political system based upon family hierarchy is replaced. It is replace both by the Levites and by the system of Elders. Moses rejected by his family.

Some of the most striking psychological element of the parsha include the suicidal depression of Moses. He expresses the characteristic helplessness and hopelessness of a person who is depressed to the point of suicide. He then asked to be killed. Given his relationship with the Almighty that is a suicidal gesture. In the midst of that, he invokes bands science. He underestimates amount of fish in the sea.

Gd's temper is also difficult. This is not modern parenting.

It is interesting to note that when ever a system of Elders arise Jethro is nearby Previously, he was his idea. Now it comes from the Almighty.