Two Accounts which Yitro Heard/4

The Two Accounts Which Yitro Heard

Related Topics

• When did Yitro arrive at Sinai?See Chronology.
  • Before the giving of the Decalogue – probably Sforno, New approach.
  • After the Decalogue –
• Significance of the use of different names of Hashem:
  • Hashem is the personal name of the God of the Children of Israel, while Elohim is the generic name for any god – Cassuto, New approach, Malbim.
  • Hashem refers to God's attribute of mercy, while Elohim refers to God's attribute of truth/justice – Keli Yekar.
• Purpose of Yitro's Visit
  • Family reunification – possibly Sforno, Keli Yekar and Malbim.
  • Conversion – R. Eliezer in the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, possibly Rashi.¹
  • Diplomatic Mission – Cassuto.

¹ The Toledot Yitzchak also believes that Yitro came due to religious questioning, to ask Moshe about what he perceived as injustices of Hashem.