Tziporah, Moses’ wife, their two sons and Moses’
father-in-law, Jethro, join the Israelites in Refidim. Jethro, the Midianite Priest, acknowledges God’s power and offers sacrifices to Him. It is Jethro who suggests to Moses that a judicial system be set up in which less complicated matters are handled by other judges and Moses will adjudicate only the most difficult cases.

The Children of Israel arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai and prepare to receive God’s revelation. Amidst thunder, lightning and shofar blasts, all those present experience God’s presence when the Ten Commandments are made known.

The people are overawed and overwhelmed by what they have witnessed; they cannot bear more. So revelation continues with Moses serving as the intermediary, and additional laws dealing with various aspects of ritual worship conclude this week’s sidra.