YONATAN HAMBOURGER/TZALI REICHER: Yisro and the American Dream

Yisro (or Jethro) “had it made” in his ancient home of Midyan, thought to be somewhere in the north-west of what is now-Saudi Arabia. He was the leader of his pagan faith, a wealthy man, and a family man with seven daughters and a couple of grandchildren, and proudly had Moses — who had just led the enslaved Children of Israel out of Egypt and split the Red Sea — as a son in law.

On the heels of the miraculous events we’ve discussed in the earlier chapter of Exodus, Yisro traveled into the desert to reunite with Moses and to witness the miracles for himself. Moses accorded him much respect, followed his suggestions about decentralizing the leadership structure, and spoke of the miracles they’d experienced up till now. Thoroughly convinced of the truth of the one eternal God, Yisro decided to cast away all of his life’s beliefs and throw his lot in with the Jewish people, standing humbly with them to receive the Torah at the foot of Mount Sinai.

His turnabout is remarkable, but that isn’t what is most striking about this story.

Yisro was not a young man, and his legacy had already been cemented. He was revered in his native land and was at the pinnacle of his religion. Happily surrounded by his large family, he could have lived out his days content in his service and life achievements.

But he couldn’t do that. Once Yisro saw what he perceived to be “the light,” he couldn’t ignore it. As Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history wrote in Hayom Yom: “In spiritual matters one should always look at he who is higher than oneself, and plead with God to grant him the intelligence to learn from the other, and the ability and strength to rise higher.” And Yisro wanted to rise higher. And so, Yisro made the brave and bold choice to start again in his spiritual journey, giving up his life of comfort and security to create a meaningful relationship with God.

The common interpretation of the American Dream often reduces it to the pursuit of material wealth or financial success. However, this simplistic view does not capture the essence of the enduring creed that our nation has embraced since its inception. If it were solely about opulence, then affluent individuals such as sheiks in Dubai and oligarchs in the former Soviet blocs could be considered as living the American Dream, reveling in their luxurious mansions, cars, and artwork.

Instead, the American Dream embodies the liberty to pursue success, opportunity and fulfillment. Here in America, we are privileged with the right to chart our own course in achieving these goals. Rather than being bound to a rigid system or ideology, we possess the freedom to explore and discover the truths that align with our values — a legacy we aspire to pass on to future generations. The story of Yisro’s spiritual journey resonates deeply with this theme.

Yisro’s story is that he had it all and gave it up for a chance at spiritual fulfillment, along with true meaning and purpose. He chose to forge a new path, one aligned with his newfound understanding and conviction, and challenged the conventional notion of fulfillment and success tied solely to material wealth. He is a shining example of the enlightenment one can reach with the profound freedom to pursue a higher purpose, even a freedom from the trappings of fortune and fame.

The American Dream is not a static destination but a dynamic, evolving pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life. Yisro’s choice to abandon the familiar, echoes the spirit of those who have come to America seeking a new beginning, free from the constraints of the past, whether that be you or your ancestors.

Yisro’s narrative serves as a poignant reminder that the American Dream is not confined to a specific demographic or defined by accumulated possessions. It is a universal call to explore, question, and, if necessary, redefine one’s legacy in pursuit of a more profound understanding of life’s purpose. Yisro teaches us that true success lies in the courage to choose spiritual fulfillment over the comfort of comfort and conformity.