Appointing Moshe's Assistants in
Shemot 18, Bemidbar 11, and Devarim 1

Points of Dispute

These are some of the central points of dispute (נקודות המחלוקת) between the various exegetes:

• Chronology of Shemot 18
  • All of Chapter 18 (with the possible exception of Yitro's departure) occurred during the second month of the first year – RambanShemot 18:1Devarim 1:9Devarim 1:18Analysis – AssistantsAnalysis – Chronology, Ibn KaspiShemot 18:1Devarim 1:9Analysis – AssistantsAnalysis – Chronology.
  • Yitro arrived and also gave his advice (18:1-23) during the second month of the first year, but Moshe appointed the judges (18:24-27) only in the second year – Akeidat Yitzchak 43, Abarbanel, Malbim.
  • All of Chapter 18 took place only in the second year after the Tabernacle was already built – Ibn Ezra.
• To what does "בעת ההיא" (Devarim 1:9) refer?
  • A time period prior to the previous story – R. Yochanan in Devarim Rabbah 1:10, Ramban, Ibn Kaspi.
  • The same time as the previous story – R. Chiyya in Devarim Rabbah 1:10, Sifre Zuta, Ibn Ezra, Abarbanel, Malbim, Hoil Moshe.
• Did Moshe Need Yitro's advice?
  • Yes – Ibn Kaspi, Akeidat Yitzchak.
  • No – Abarbanel.
• Did Moshe implement Yitro's advice as given?
  • He implemented to the letter – Ma'asei Hashem.
  • He made significant changes – Abarbanel.
• Why doesn't Moshe give credit to Yitro in Devarim 1?
  • Devarim 1 recaps Bemidbar 11 and not Shemot 18 – R. Chiyya, Sifre Zuta
  • Moshe's implementation differed significantly from Yitro's advice – Abarbanel
  • In Devarim 1 Moshe is concerned only with the implementation, and not the genesis of the idea – Ma'asei Hashem, Ma'aseh Torah 5
  • Yitro's modesty or Moshe's embarrassment over Zipporah – Ramban
• The function of the "rulers" of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens:
  • Purely judicial –
  • Judicial and administrative – Abarbanel, Malbim.
• Was there always a need for assistants or only at certain points?
  • Always –
  • Only on that day – R. Medan.