Accepting criticism is never easy, but if it’s offered in a respectful way by someone who is sincere and appears to mean well, try and accept it graciously.

Jethro warned his son-in-law, Moses, that by biting off more than he could chew, he was in danger of experiencing burn out. It takes a great man like Moses to heed Jethro’s difficult advice and share the leadership responsibilities with others. There are other takeaways such as the importance of students receiving multiple pedagogical exposures.

To appreciate the ramifications as they pertain to Ba’alei Teshuva, read this illuminating analysis entitled, “Jethro’s Advice to an Overburdened Leader” from Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald’s Torah message for Yitro 5784-2024 Out of respect for Shabbat, please consider printing it on Friday afternoon if you plan to read it on Shabbat.