By Hannah Blass
There are real and relevant dilemmas that this interpretation brings up: not being able to put your all into the Ken because of your part-time job, choosing to study what will make you the most money rather than the most fulfilled, or even choosing to keep those $2 in your wallet as you walk past a homeless person on the street. I am not suggesting these decisions be condemned, as they pertain to myself and so many of us. Rather, I am suggesting that we take another look at how these decisions are impacted by the deeply hierarchical and capitalist system in which we live and that we continue to educate towards to a world in which money won't have to be an obstacle for prioritizing social justice.
Secondly, I think what Moses did was pretty brave. With the encouragement of Jethro, he realized the putting all his time and energy into helping his people was ultimately hurting himself and his ability to meet their needs. He recognized his limitations and sought out support. Especially at machaneh, self-care can be hard to focus on when all of our energy is going towards our chanichim and the space we are building. It's important to reflect on our limitations, as everyone's are different, and continue to seek support throughout everything we do so that our goals can be accomplished collectively. Jethro tells Moses that if he spreads his tasks among the magistrates, he will "be able to survive, and also, all this people will come upon their peace." Only by sharing the burdens of our labour and goals can we be fulfilled and fulfill those we are leading.