Yitro's Sacrifices and Eating Bread Before God/3

Yitro's Sacrifices and Eating Bread Before God

Points of Dispute

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

• What was the purpose of Yitro's visit?
  • Family Reunification – see Yitro's Purpose.
  • Conversion – Ramban 18:1,12.
  • Diplomatic Mission – R. D"Z Hoffmann 18:7,12, Cassuto Intro to Shemot 18.
• Did Yitro convert?

  See Yitro's Religious Identity for details.

  • Yes – Ramban 18:12, R. Bachya 18:12, Seforno 18:12.
  • No – Cassuto 18:12.
• When did Yitro arrive?

  See Chronology.

  • In the first year before the Decalogue – Ramban Shemot 18:12.
  • In the first year after the Decalogue – see Chronology.
  • In the second year – R. Saadia 18:8-21, Ibn Ezra Long Commentary Shemot 18:1, Cassuto 18:12.