Vayichad: This rare word means that Yisro did something. The letters "ches" and dalet" as a two letter root is ambiguous. It can be related to a number of other words.
The Rishonim explain:
Rashi explains:
The Aggadic midrash, however, [explains that] his flesh became prickly [i.e., gooseflesh (חִדּוּדִין חִדּוּדִּין)] [because] he was upset [or afraid] about the destruction of the Egyptians.
Sforno elaborates:
ויחד יתרו על כל הטובה. לא שמח על אבדן מצרים כראוי למקנא לכבוד קונו, כענין ישמח צדיק כי חזה נקם אבל שמח על טובתם של ישראל, כמרחם על דמעת העשוקים:
Sforno suggests that there were multiple emotional feelings that Yisro was experiencing. On the one hand he was upset and fearful because of what happened to the Egyptians. On the other hand he was ecstatic that a slave nation was redeemed and was becoming exalted.
People are capable of highly intense and conflicting emotions.
Yisro was intensely sad at the same time as being intensely happy.
Rabbeinu Bachye adds a third explanation:
ועוד יש לומר ויחד מלשון אחדות לפי שנתגייר וייחד את הש"י וברך אותו שנאמר ברוך ה' אשר הציל אתכם
The letters "ches" and "dalet" are related to "chad" or "echad" meaning ONE.
G-d is, was, and will be ONE.
People, when faced with varying emotions have the opportunity to respond.
Sometimes people respond by saying there is no G-d [r"l].
Other times people respond by saying "etsbah Elokim hi" there must be a G-d.
Yisro feels pained and sad... His response...G-d is One.
Yisro feels joyous and ecstatic...His response...G-d is One.
How would I respond?
Something else to think about:
What is the determining factor that decides which way a person turns when faced with tremendous challenge [whether for the "good" or the "bad"]?
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