My father-in-law once told me the secret to a great marriage. On your fifth wedding anniversary take your wife on an exotic vacation.
On your 40th anniversary go back and get her.
From the moment we meet the Torah’s first, famous father-in-law, Lavan is only interested in himself. He sees what Eliezer has brought as gifts for his sister and figures he stands to gain by this arrangement. Later, when he becomes Yaakov Avinu’s father-in-law, the trend continues and Lavan succeeds in tricking Yaakov by putting Leah under the marriage canopy…by extorting seven more years of work…by changing Yaakov Avinu’s wages.
Lavan wasn’t just a bad father-in-law; he was a bad person. In contrast, Yitro is a man with a significant past and what seems to be a very strong moral compass. And he wants to help. He saw something special in the story of Moshe Rabbeinu’s concern for others and he asked him to marry his daughter. Later, he appreciates the very significant job of his venerated son-in-law and suggests a way to make the system more efficient. Yitro just wants to help. And Moshe Rabbeinu knows and appreciates that and as a result, Klal Yisrael is better off. Torah is disseminated more efficiently and effectively and the world is a better place. Pretty amazing.
So, this one goes out to my father-in-law and all fathers-in-law who, just like him, just want what is best for their children and children-in-law.
Thanks, Papa Z. We appreciate it.
