The beginning of Parashat Yitro tells of the arrival of Yitro, Moshe's father-in-law, to the camp of Bnei Ysroel. We are told that Yitro was inspired to join Bnei Yisrael after hearing about the recent miraculous events that had transpired: "Yitro...heard all that G-d did for Moshe and for His nation, Israel, that the Lord took Israel from Egypt."  Interestingly, however, when Yitro arrives, Moshe brings him into his tent and then tells him of these miracles: "Moshe told his father-in-law all that the Lord did to Pharaoh and to Egypt on account of Israel..." (18:8). The obvious question arises, why did Moshe describe to Yitro the events that he had already heard?  

      One possible answer is that Moshe related the events to Yitro from a different perspective, and with a different focus. When telling us about Moshe's conversation with Yitro, the Torah adds a clause that does not appear in the parasha's first verse that tells of the news that Yitro had heard before his arrival: "all the troubles that confronted them along the way, and how G-d saved them."  This phrase can explain the purpose of Moshe's conversation with Yitro after his arrival.  Yitro heard the dramatic reports of the miraculous downfall of the Egyptian Empire, how a sea split to rescue Bnei Yisrael, how a slave nation defeated Amalek, and how the two million refugees traversed the arid desert and survived.  But Yitro had not heard of the ugly details of Bnei Yisrael's experiences.  Nobody in Midian reported about the people's charge against Moshe at the shores of the sea, Yitro did not hear of those dire moments in Refidim when Moshe literally feared that the people would kill him when they were suffering from a drought.  The news of the miraculous salvation spread throughout the region, but it is unlikely that anybody heard of the numerous travails and complex crises that sprang up along the way.

     In speaking with Yitro, Moshe wanted to ensure that his father-in-law did not harbor any utopian illusions about being part of Am Yisrael.  Certainly, G-d's treasured nation earns a special degree of divine assistance and protection.  But we also have our share of difficult problems and dilemmas, stressful moments, periods of uncertainty, situations of anxiety and fears.

      If, indeed, Moshe's purpose was to convey both the pros and cons of belonging to Bnei Yitroel, then it conveys an important lesson relevant to Jewish leadership. We have a miraculous and wondrous story, and G-d continues to perform miracles for us every day. But, at the same time, we must realize that there are also moments of despair and discord. Moshe is telling Yitro, that in order to help him lead, he must be ready for these moments as well. May we all continue to have blessed and miraculous lives and the strength to endure the more difficult situations as well.