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Hebrew Text
וַיֹּאמֶר יִתְרוֹ בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּמִיַּד פַּרְעֹה אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֶת־הָעָם מִתַּחַת יַד־מִצְרָיִם׃
English Translation
And Yitro said, Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of Miżrayim, and out of the hand of Par῾o, who has delivered the people from under the hand of Miżrayim.
Transliteration
Va'yomer Yitro baruch Adonai asher hitsil etchem miyad Mitzrayim umiyad Par'oh asher hitsil et-ha'am mitachat yad-Mitzrayim.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיֹּ֘אמֶר֮ יִתְרוֹ֒ בָּר֣וּךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִצִּ֥יל אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִיַּ֥ד מִצְרַ֖יִם וּמִיַּ֣ד פַּרְעֹ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִצִּיל֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת יַד־מִצְרָֽיִם׃
Yitro's Recognition of Hashem's Deliverance
The verse describes Yitro's declaration of praise to Hashem for saving Bnei Yisrael from Egypt and Pharaoh. Rashi (Shemot 18:10) explains that Yitro acknowledged Hashem's greatness by recognizing two distinct salvations: "from the hand of Egypt" (the general oppression by the Egyptians) and "from the hand of Pharaoh" (the specific decrees of their king). This demonstrates Yitro's deep understanding of Divine intervention in both collective and individual suffering.
The Repetition of "Who Has Delivered"
The phrase "אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל" ("who has delivered") appears twice, which the Midrash Tanchuma (Yitro 3) interprets as emphasizing two aspects of redemption: physical salvation from slavery and spiritual salvation from the corrupting influence of Egyptian culture. Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 1:3) similarly notes that the Exodus was not merely a political liberation but a foundational event for accepting Torah and rejecting idolatry.
Yitro's Unique Perspective
Ibn Ezra (Shemot 18:10) highlights that Yitro, as a former priest of Midian, had firsthand experience with idolatry. His blessing reflects a sincere rejection of false beliefs in favor of Hashem's sovereignty. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 94a) teaches that Yitro was among the few gentiles who fully recognized Hashem's power, meriting to have a Torah portion named after him.
The Significance of "From Under the Hand of Egypt"
The concluding phrase "מִתַּחַת יַד־מִצְרָיִם" ("from under the hand of Egypt") is interpreted by the Sforno as alluding to the crushing burden of servitude—not just physical labor but the psychological subjugation Bnei Yisrael endured. This aligns with Shemot Rabbah (1:12), which describes how the Egyptians sought to break their spirits through relentless oppression.