This week’s section of the Torah is primary in importance as it contains the Ten Commandments. It might seem surprising then, to learn that this section is named after a non-Jew, Moses’ father-in-law, Yithro.

We know of the Torah’s concern that Jews care for the stranger, since ‘the stranger’ is mentioned 36 times in the text, and we are even commanded to “love the stranger” (Deut. 10:19). What might be less obvious is the Torah’s insistence on the reverse: there are people of goodwill who, although not Jewish themselves, will always fight for Jewish values and the Jewish people.

When you ask a religious Jew how he or she is doing, the answer is likely to be “Baruch HaShem” — blessed be God. Good news often has “Baruch HaShem” added to it as well, as in, “my children are all well, Baruch HaShem.” Baruch HaShem appears three times in the Bible. All three times it is spoken by non-Jews: by Noah in Genesis 9:26; by Abraham’s servant Eliezer in Gen. 24:27; and by the person for whom our parasha is named, Yithro: “Yithro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. And he said, ‘Baruch Hashem’ – Praise God” (Exodus 18:9,10).

Jews have traditionally been more adept at identifying enemies than embracing friends. But we have had many friends and allies throughout our history, without whom we never would have survived the onslaught of those who sought to destroy us. The path leading to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Shoah, is lined with trees commemorating “righteous gentiles” – people who often risked their own lives to save Jews. Today, we see many figures stand and publicly defend Jews and Israel, not because it will make them popular or celebrated – too often, the reverse is the case – but because they are people of probity and conscience.

Although a non-Jewish prophet, Bilaam, foresees Israel will “dwell alone and not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9), his fellow non-Jews have proved his prophecy wrong. Yes, Jews have had and still have many who wish them ill, but we have many allies and very good friends. The spirit of Yithro lives in our time. Baruch Hashem.