Poem of Yitro

Yitro is an alternative spelling of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moshe.

Concerning Amalek, read Exodus 17:8–16.

Yitro was a flame waiting to be lit

Amalek was a dry stick attracting the flame

Hashem was a mighty hand crushing Egypt

A serpent, a stick, like Amalek,

crawled out into the desert to Yitro

"You see Hashem," the serpent said,

"At best, he is only first among equals

He is a powerful god among many gods of power

Today one is on top, tomorrow another

All of them proud to display their power"

Yitro had heard the news about Hashem in Egypt

He prayed to know Hashem

He flickered, but he did not flame

The argument of the serpent, like a wet stick

cooled the air around him, weakening his prayer

Then Israel came to the Red Sea

Yitro heard how Hashem gave his power to Israel

The feet of faith conquered the sea

The rod of Moshe split waters above the world

But the slithering wet stick still had Yitro's ear

"You see how Hashem dominates his people!

He makes them work like little angels

to show off his power

Yitro's prayer was stronger, his heart warmer

But still, his heart did not burst into flame

Then Amalek, that ancient serpent , came

Yitro knew it was the same stick by name

When Yitro heard about Israel's war with Amalek

Then his heart ignited; he became a flame

"Now I know," he said, "that Hashem is God,

the one and only in heaven and earth

For he put all his revelation at risk,

the revelation of his goodness and glory

All confidence he placed in the faith of a child

Though they wielded their faith through a sword,

and not yet through their word,

Hashem risked all for them,

not revealingly his power,

trusting their faith in him to silence the serpent

The nations saw Israel coming across the sea

and said, "They’re untouchable!"

"No!" Said Amalek, his hatred smoldering

“I will drink their water!

I will steal their fire!

I will show you they are touchable!"

"You will strike his heal," answered Hashem to him

"And he will crush your head!"

Yitro heard what the children of Israel did

How even the lame defeated Amalek through faith

And burning like a flame he said,

"I will go to serve Hashem with them,

For now I understand he invested all his revelation

in the obedience and learning of his children

who revere and love him