PARSHA & PROSE: YITRO AND 'THE CAINE MUTINY' WITH RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA

The Torah portion Yitro (Exodus 18:1-20:23) introduces key themes such as the Jewish people at Sinai and the accepting of the ten commandments, leadership, authority, the importance of law, which resonates with the conflict at the heart of The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk. In Yitro, Moses, overwhelmed by the responsibility of judging the Israelites alone, learns from his father-in-law, Yitro, that effective leadership involves delegating authority to trusted individuals to avoid burnout and ensure justice is served. This lesson mirrors the dynamic between Lieutenant Commander Queeg and his subordinates aboard the USS Caine, where Queeg's inability to delegate and his erratic behavior lead to a breakdown in command. In both the Torah portion and the novel, the proper exercise of power and trust in leadership is central to maintaining order. Additionally, both works explore the consequences of misguided authority-while Moses’ willingness to accept guidance fosters harmony and fairness, Queeg’s refusal to listen to his crew results in a tense mutiny, highlighting the dangers of authoritarianism when leaders fail to recognize their limitations.