Greatness From The Outside

Two of the greatest people in our history were not born Jewish but joined the Jewish people. One was Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, and the other was Ruth. They chose to join the Jewish people in spite all the obstacles that they would face.

Greatness From The Outside

We weave together two powerful “outsiders” who became foundational insiders: Yitro (Jethro) and Ruth. Both entered the Jewish story from the outside and left permanent imprints.

Yitro – The Wise Gentile Advisor

In parshat Yitro, right before the giving of the Torah at Sinai, Moses’ father-in-law (a Midianite priest) watches his son-in-law exhausting himself judging every dispute. Yitro doesn’t just sympathize — he gives practical, organizational wisdom:

“What you are doing is not good… You should select capable men… and let them judge the people at all times.” (Exodus 18)

This system of delegated courts becomes the backbone of Jewish jurisprudence. The Torah records Yitro’s advice in detail and even names the parsha after him. A non-Jew taught the future lawgiver how to build a sustainable legal system. That’s humility on Moses’ part, and it’s a powerful message: wisdom can come from anywhere.

Ruth – The Convert Who Became Royalty

We read Megillat Ruth on Shavuot, the anniversary of the entire Jewish people standing at Sinai and accepting the Torah with “Na’aseh v’nishma.”

Ruth’s famous declaration is the classic model of conversion:

“Where you go I will go, where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

She chooses Naomi, the Jewish people, and the Torah at a moment of total loss — no husband, no children, no security. Pure chesed (kindness) and conviction. And yes, the Moabite prohibition (Deut. 23:4) creates real halachic tension that is ultimately resolved in her favor, allowing her into the congregation. From her line comes King David — and ultimately the Messiah.

Two people who were not counted in the census of Bamidbar (this week’s parsha), yet they counted enormously.

A Deeper Layer

The census in Bamidbar is about klal Yisrael — the collective, the numbered community. But Judaism has always had this fascinating tension: the collective and the individual soul who chooses to join. Abraham was the first “convert” in a sense. The mixed multitude left Egypt with us. Converts have always been part of the story.

This point lands perfectly: being “counted” in a census is one thing. Making a real difference — through wisdom, loyalty, kindness, and legacy — is another. Ruth and Yitro remind us that Jewish destiny has always been enriched by those who chose us, even when we didn’t (or couldn’t) initially count them.

It’s also a Shavuot message: every year we re-accept the Torah. Born Jews get to renew that acceptance. Converts show us what a fresh, conscious “yes” looks like.

May we all be blessed to recognize the “Ruths” and “Yitros” around us — the people who aren’t yet “counted” but who truly count.