Difference between revisions of "Structure – Shemot 18/0"
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Structural Analysis – Shemot 18
Shemot 18 is part of the larger unit "A Nation in Transition" which encompasses Chapters 15:22 – 18:27. For further discussion and alternative understandings of the relationship between Chapter 18 and its surrounding chapters, see Structure of Sefer Shemot.
(Original Author: Neima Novetsky, Rabbi Hillel Novetsky) |
(Original Author: Neima Novetsky, Rabbi Hillel Novetsky) |
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<p><aht-sis color="black" weight="bold" step="1">"Yitro's Visit" (18:1-27)</aht-sis></p> | <p><aht-sis color="black" weight="bold" step="1">"Yitro's Visit" (18:1-27)</aht-sis></p> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li><b>Frame</b> – Shemot 18 is a self-contained unit framed by Yitro's arrival and departure.<fn>Cf. <multilink><aht source="Cassuto18End">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="Cassuto18End">Conclusion of Shemot 18</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink> who notes that the chapter begins with the "sending away" ( | + | <li><b>Frame</b> – Shemot 18 is a self-contained unit framed by Yitro's arrival and departure.<fn>Cf. <multilink><aht source="Cassuto18End">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="Cassuto18End">Conclusion of Shemot 18</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink> who notes that the chapter begins with the "sending away" (שִׁלּוּחֶיהָ) of Zipporah (18:2) and concludes with the "sending away" (וַיְשַׁלַּח) of Yitro (18:27). He also notes that <transliterate>vayishma</transliterate> (וַיִּשְׁמַע) appears at both the beginning (18:1) and near the end (18:24) of the chapter.</fn></li> |
<li><b>Characters</b> – Yitro and Moshe are the main protagonists throughout the chapter and the only speakers. In the surrounding chapters, in contrast, the nation plays a more active role.</li> | <li><b>Characters</b> – Yitro and Moshe are the main protagonists throughout the chapter and the only speakers. In the surrounding chapters, in contrast, the nation plays a more active role.</li> | ||
<li><b>Plot</b> – The unifying motif of the entire chapter is Yitro's interest and concern regarding the welfare of Moshe and the people. This theme is repeated numerous times – see <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="1">vss. 1,8,9,14,17,23</aht-sis>.</li> | <li><b>Plot</b> – The unifying motif of the entire chapter is Yitro's interest and concern regarding the welfare of Moshe and the people. This theme is repeated numerous times – see <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="1">vss. 1,8,9,14,17,23</aht-sis>.</li> | ||
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li>Chapter 18 may be divided into two main scenes – verses 1-12 and verses 13-26.<fn>The structure here views the two scenes as being of equal importance. Alternatively, the first scene functions merely as an introduction, and the second scene is the main storyline.</fn> Verse 27 closes the entire unit.<fn>The scenes are of roughly equal length. If one views 18:24-27 as an epilogue (see <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18/2#ImplementedLater">Chronology</aht> for the possibility that the implementation occurred only a year after the bulk of the chapter), then the two scenes (18:1-12 and 18:13-23) are almost identical in size.</fn></li> | <li>Chapter 18 may be divided into two main scenes – verses 1-12 and verses 13-26.<fn>The structure here views the two scenes as being of equal importance. Alternatively, the first scene functions merely as an introduction, and the second scene is the main storyline.</fn> Verse 27 closes the entire unit.<fn>The scenes are of roughly equal length. If one views 18:24-27 as an epilogue (see <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18/2#ImplementedLater">Chronology</aht> for the possibility that the implementation occurred only a year after the bulk of the chapter), then the two scenes (18:1-12 and 18:13-23) are almost identical in size.</fn></li> | ||
| − | <li><b>Plot</b> – In the first scene of Chapter 18, Yitro and Moshe speak about the good (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2">הַטּוֹבָה</aht-sis>) that Hashem did (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2"> | + | <li><b>Plot</b> – In the first scene of Chapter 18, Yitro and Moshe speak about the good (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2">הַטּוֹבָה</aht-sis>) that Hashem did (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2">עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים, עָשָׂה ה‏'‏</aht-sis>) for the nation, while in the second they discuss what is not good (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="2">לֹא טוֹב</aht-sis>) about what Moshe is doing (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="2">הוּא עֹשֶׂה, אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה, עֲשֹׂהוּ, תַּעֲשֶׂה‎</aht-sis>) to the nation.<fn>The parallel language between "חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ" in v.1 and "חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם" in v.14 is noted by <multilink><aht source="Cassuto18-14">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="Cassuto18-14">Shemot 18:14</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink>.</fn></li> |
<li><b>Timing</b> – The time marker, "And it happened on the next day" (18:13), divides the chapter into two scenes. See <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18">Chronology</aht> for the time frames of each scene.<fn>According to the opinions that Scenes I and II did not occur in the same time frame, the Torah combines them in one unit because of their shared characters and content. See also <aht page="Structure – Sefer Shemot">Structure of Sefer Shemot</aht> for the possibility that the first part of Chapter 18 sums up the miracles of the first half of the book, and the second part of Chapter 18 connects to the Covenant section in the second half of the book.</fn></li> | <li><b>Timing</b> – The time marker, "And it happened on the next day" (18:13), divides the chapter into two scenes. See <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18">Chronology</aht> for the time frames of each scene.<fn>According to the opinions that Scenes I and II did not occur in the same time frame, the Torah combines them in one unit because of their shared characters and content. See also <aht page="Structure – Sefer Shemot">Structure of Sefer Shemot</aht> for the possibility that the first part of Chapter 18 sums up the miracles of the first half of the book, and the second part of Chapter 18 connects to the Covenant section in the second half of the book.</fn></li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li>The first half of the chapter can be subdivided into two subscenes – verses 1-7 and verses 8-12.<fn>Alternatively, the second subscene might begin in v.7.</fn></li> | <li>The first half of the chapter can be subdivided into two subscenes – verses 1-7 and verses 8-12.<fn>Alternatively, the second subscene might begin in v.7.</fn></li> | ||
| − | <li><b>Parallels</b> – Each subscene opens with Yitro hearing of the wonders that Hashem has done for the Children of Israel (v.1 – <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1"> | + | <li><b>Parallels</b> – Each subscene opens with Yitro hearing of the wonders that Hashem has done for the Children of Israel (v.1 – <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיִּשְׁמַע יִתְרוֹ... חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים</aht-sis>, v.8 – <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיְסַפֵּר מֹשֶׁה לְחֹתְנוֹ אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה ה'‏</aht-sis>). In each, the report is then followed by the actions of taking (<aht-sis color="green" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיִּקַּח</aht-sis>) and coming (<aht-sis color="teal" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיָּבֹא</aht-sis>) (vss. 2,5,7,12) – see <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for elaboration.</li> |
<li><b>Characters</b> – In Subscene A, Yitro hears from an unidentified source about what has happened to Moshe and the nation, while in Subscene B, he hears from Moshe directly. For a detailed comparison and analysis, see <aht page="Two Accounts which Yitro Heard">Two Accounts</aht>.</li> | <li><b>Characters</b> – In Subscene A, Yitro hears from an unidentified source about what has happened to Moshe and the nation, while in Subscene B, he hears from Moshe directly. For a detailed comparison and analysis, see <aht page="Two Accounts which Yitro Heard">Two Accounts</aht>.</li> | ||
<li><b>Setting</b> – The first subscene moves from Midyan to Moshe's tent, while the second transpires in Moshe's tent.<fn>See <aht page="Yitro's Sacrifices and Eating Bread Before God">Eating Bread Lifnei HaElohim</aht> for whether the meal also took place in Moshe's tent.</fn></li> | <li><b>Setting</b> – The first subscene moves from Midyan to Moshe's tent, while the second transpires in Moshe's tent.<fn>See <aht page="Yitro's Sacrifices and Eating Bread Before God">Eating Bread Lifnei HaElohim</aht> for whether the meal also took place in Moshe's tent.</fn></li> | ||
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C. "Implementation" (18:24-26)</aht-sis></p> | C. "Implementation" (18:24-26)</aht-sis></p> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li>The second half of the chapter can be subdivided into three subscenes – verses 13-18, verses 19-23, and verses 24-26.<fn>Verse 27 provides closure for the entire chapter.</fn> In the first subscene Yitro observes the problem with what Moshe is doing (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">אֵת | + | <li>The second half of the chapter can be subdivided into three subscenes – verses 13-18, verses 19-23, and verses 24-26.<fn>Verse 27 provides closure for the entire chapter.</fn> In the first subscene Yitro observes the problem with what Moshe is doing (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם, לֹא טוֹב הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה</aht-sis>), in the second subscene he offers an alternative proposal (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">אִם אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה תַּעֲשֶׂה</aht-sis>), while in the third subscene Moshe executes Yitro's plan (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">וַיַּעַשׂ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר אָמָר</aht-sis>).</li> |
<li><b>Characters</b> – Yitro and Moshe engage in dialogue in Subscene A, while Yitro is the sole speaker in Subscene B and Moshe implements alone in Subscene C.</li> | <li><b>Characters</b> – Yitro and Moshe engage in dialogue in Subscene A, while Yitro is the sole speaker in Subscene B and Moshe implements alone in Subscene C.</li> | ||
| − | <li><b>Contrasts</b> – In Subscene A, Moshe sits alone in judgment and Yitro advises him that he "will not be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">לֹא תוּכַל</aht-sis>) to continue in this fashion, while in Subscene B, Yitro advises Moshe that by appointing others to judge he "will be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2"> | + | <li><b>Contrasts</b> – In Subscene A, Moshe sits alone in judgment and Yitro advises him that he "will not be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">לֹא תוּכַל</aht-sis>) to continue in this fashion, while in Subscene B, Yitro advises Moshe that by appointing others to judge he "will be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">וְיָכָלְתָּ</aht-sis>) to endure. See <aht page="Moshe's Duties and Yitro's Advice">Moshe's Duties and Yitro's Advice</aht> and <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for expansion.</li> |
<li><b>Parallels</b> – Subscenes B and C share near identical language (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">vss. 21-22, 25-26</aht-sis>) as Moshe implements Yitro's plan almost to the letter. See <aht page="Advice and Implementation">Advice vs. Implementation</aht> and <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for discussions of the subtle differences.</li> | <li><b>Parallels</b> – Subscenes B and C share near identical language (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">vss. 21-22, 25-26</aht-sis>) as Moshe implements Yitro's plan almost to the letter. See <aht page="Advice and Implementation">Advice vs. Implementation</aht> and <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for discussions of the subtle differences.</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
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<!-- <h2 name="Unit Boundaries"><aht-sis color="red" weight="bold" step="1">Step 1</aht-sis> – Boundaries of Larger Unit – <i style="text-transform:none">"Yitro's Visit"</i> (18:1-27)</h2> | <!-- <h2 name="Unit Boundaries"><aht-sis color="red" weight="bold" step="1">Step 1</aht-sis> – Boundaries of Larger Unit – <i style="text-transform:none">"Yitro's Visit"</i> (18:1-27)</h2> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li>Frame – Shemot 18 is a self-contained unit framed by Yitro's arrival and departure.<fn>Cf. <multilink><aht source="Cassuto18End">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="Cassuto18End">Conclusion of Shemot 18</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink> who notes that the chapter begins with the "sending away" ( | + | <li>Frame – Shemot 18 is a self-contained unit framed by Yitro's arrival and departure.<fn>Cf. <multilink><aht source="Cassuto18End">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="Cassuto18End">Conclusion of Shemot 18</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink> who notes that the chapter begins with the "sending away" (שִׁלּוּחֶיהָ) of Zipporah (18:2) and concludes with the "sending away" (וַיְשַׁלַּח) of Yitro (18:27). He also notes that <transliterate>vayishma</transliterate> (וַיִּשְׁמַע) appears at both the beginning (18:1) and near the end (18:24) of the chapter.</fn></li> |
<li>Characters (Who) – Yitro and Moshe are the main protagonists throughout the chapter and the only speakers. In the surrounding chapters, in contrast, the nation plays a more active role.</li> | <li>Characters (Who) – Yitro and Moshe are the main protagonists throughout the chapter and the only speakers. In the surrounding chapters, in contrast, the nation plays a more active role.</li> | ||
<li>Plot (What) – The unifying motif of the entire chapter is Yitro's interest and concern regarding the welfare of Moshe and the people. This theme is repeated numerous times – see <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="1">vss. 1,8,9,14,17,23</aht-sis>.</li> | <li>Plot (What) – The unifying motif of the entire chapter is Yitro's interest and concern regarding the welfare of Moshe and the people. This theme is repeated numerous times – see <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="1">vss. 1,8,9,14,17,23</aht-sis>.</li> | ||
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li>Chapter 18 may be divided into two main scenes – verses 1-12 and verses 13-27.<fn>The scenes are of roughly equal length. If one views 18:24-27 as an epilogue (see <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18/2#ImplementedLater">Chronology</aht> for the possibility that the implementation occurred only a year after the bulk of the chapter), then the two scenes (18:1-12 and 18:13-23) become almost identical in size.</fn> Each contains a dialogue between Yitro and Moshe.</li> | <li>Chapter 18 may be divided into two main scenes – verses 1-12 and verses 13-27.<fn>The scenes are of roughly equal length. If one views 18:24-27 as an epilogue (see <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18/2#ImplementedLater">Chronology</aht> for the possibility that the implementation occurred only a year after the bulk of the chapter), then the two scenes (18:1-12 and 18:13-23) become almost identical in size.</fn> Each contains a dialogue between Yitro and Moshe.</li> | ||
| − | <li>Plot (What) – In the first scene of Chapter 18, Yitro and Moshe speak about the good (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2">הַטּוֹבָה</aht-sis>) that Hashem did (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2"> | + | <li>Plot (What) – In the first scene of Chapter 18, Yitro and Moshe speak about the good (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2">הַטּוֹבָה</aht-sis>) that Hashem did (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="2">עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים, עָשָׂה ה‏'‏</aht-sis>) for the nation, while in the second they discuss what is not good (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="2">לֹא טוֹב</aht-sis>) about what Moshe is doing (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="2">הוּא עֹשֶׂה, אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה, תַּעֲשֶׂה‎</aht-sis>) to the nation.<fn>The parallel language between <span style="color:red;">חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ</span> in v.1 and <span style="color:red;">חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם</span> in v.14 is noted by <multilink><aht source="Cassuto18-14">U. Cassuto</aht><aht source="Cassuto18-14">Shemot 18:14</aht><aht parshan="Umberto Cassuto">About U. Cassuto</aht></multilink>.</fn></li> |
<li>Timing (When) – The time marker "And it happened on the next day" in 18:13 divides the chapter into two scenes. See <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18">Chronology</aht> for the time frames of each scene.<fn>According to the opinions that Scenes I and II did not occur in the same time frame, the Torah combines them in one unit because of their shared characters and content.</fn></li> | <li>Timing (When) – The time marker "And it happened on the next day" in 18:13 divides the chapter into two scenes. See <aht page="Chronology – Shemot 18">Chronology</aht> for the time frames of each scene.<fn>According to the opinions that Scenes I and II did not occur in the same time frame, the Torah combines them in one unit because of their shared characters and content.</fn></li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
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<ul> | <ul> | ||
<li>The first half of the chapter can be subdivided into two subscenes – verses 1-7 and verses 8-12.<fn>Alternatively, the second subscene might begin in v.7.</fn></li> | <li>The first half of the chapter can be subdivided into two subscenes – verses 1-7 and verses 8-12.<fn>Alternatively, the second subscene might begin in v.7.</fn></li> | ||
| − | <li>Parallels – Each subscene opens with Yitro hearing of the wonders that Hashem has done for the Jewish nation (v.1 – <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1"> | + | <li>Parallels – Each subscene opens with Yitro hearing of the wonders that Hashem has done for the Jewish nation (v.1 – <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיִּשְׁמַע יִתְרוֹ... חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים</aht-sis>, v.8 – <aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיְסַפֵּר מֹשֶׁה לְחֹתְנוֹ אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה ה'‏</aht-sis>). In each, the report is then followed by the actions of taking (<aht-sis color="green" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיִּקַּח</aht-sis>) and coming (<aht-sis color="teal" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="1">וַיָּבֹא</aht-sis>) (vss. 2,5,7,12) – see <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for elaboration.</li> |
<li>Characters (Who) – In Subscene A, Yitro hears from an outsider about what has happened to Moshe and the nation, while in Subscene B, he hears from Moshe directly. For a detailed comparison and analysis, see <aht page="Two Accounts which Yitro Heard">Two Accounts</aht>.</li> | <li>Characters (Who) – In Subscene A, Yitro hears from an outsider about what has happened to Moshe and the nation, while in Subscene B, he hears from Moshe directly. For a detailed comparison and analysis, see <aht page="Two Accounts which Yitro Heard">Two Accounts</aht>.</li> | ||
<li>Setting (Where) – The first subscene takes place outside in the desert, while the second occurs in Moshe's tent.</li> | <li>Setting (Where) – The first subscene takes place outside in the desert, while the second occurs in Moshe's tent.</li> | ||
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<h2 name="Subdivision of Scene II"><aht-sis color="green" weight="bold" step="3" scroll="2">Step 3.2</aht-sis> – Subdivision of Scene II into Subscenes A + B + C – <i style="text-transform:none">"Problem"</i> (18:14-18), <i style="text-transform:none">"Solution"</i> (18:19-23), <span style="text-transform:none">and</span> <i style="text-transform:none">"Implementation"</i> (18:24-26)</h2> | <h2 name="Subdivision of Scene II"><aht-sis color="green" weight="bold" step="3" scroll="2">Step 3.2</aht-sis> – Subdivision of Scene II into Subscenes A + B + C – <i style="text-transform:none">"Problem"</i> (18:14-18), <i style="text-transform:none">"Solution"</i> (18:19-23), <span style="text-transform:none">and</span> <i style="text-transform:none">"Implementation"</i> (18:24-26)</h2> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li>The second half of the chapter can be subdivided into three subscenes – verses 14-18, verses 19-23, and verses 24-26.<fn>Verse 13 is a heading for all of Scene II, and verse 27 provides closure for the entire chapter.</fn> In the first subscene Yitro observes the problem with what Moshe is doing (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">אֵת | + | <li>The second half of the chapter can be subdivided into three subscenes – verses 14-18, verses 19-23, and verses 24-26.<fn>Verse 13 is a heading for all of Scene II, and verse 27 provides closure for the entire chapter.</fn> In the first subscene Yitro observes the problem with what Moshe is doing (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם, לֹא טוֹב הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה</aht-sis>), in the second subscene he offers his alternate suggestion (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">אִם אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה תַּעֲשֶׂה</aht-sis>), while in the third subscene Moshe executes Yitro's plan (<aht-sis color="red" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">וַיַּעַשׂ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר אָמָר</aht-sis>).</li> |
<li>Characters (Who) – Yitro and Moshe engage in dialogue in Subscene A, while Yitro is the sole speaker in Subscene B, and Moshe implements alone in Subscene C.</li> | <li>Characters (Who) – Yitro and Moshe engage in dialogue in Subscene A, while Yitro is the sole speaker in Subscene B, and Moshe implements alone in Subscene C.</li> | ||
| − | <li>Contrasts – In Subscene A, Moshe sits alone in judgment and Yitro advises him that he "will not be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">לֹא תוּכַל</aht-sis>) to continue in this fashion, while in Subscene B, Yitro advises Moshe that by appointing others to judge he "will be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2"> | + | <li>Contrasts – In Subscene A, Moshe sits alone in judgment and Yitro advises him that he "will not be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">לֹא תוּכַל</aht-sis>) to continue in this fashion, while in Subscene B, Yitro advises Moshe that by appointing others to judge he "will be able" (<aht-sis color="#f0f" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">וְיָכָלְתָּ</aht-sis>) to endure. See <aht page="Moshe's Duties and Yitro's Advice">Moshe's Duties and Yitro's Advice</aht> and <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for expansion.</li> |
<li>Parallels – Subscenes B and C share near identical language (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">vss. 21-22, 25-26</aht-sis>) as Moshe implements Yitro's plan almost to the letter. See <aht page="Advice and Implementation">Advice vs. Implementation</aht> and <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for discussions of the subtle differences.</li> | <li>Parallels – Subscenes B and C share near identical language (<aht-sis color="purple" weight="normal" step="3" scroll="2">vss. 21-22, 25-26</aht-sis>) as Moshe implements Yitro's plan almost to the letter. See <aht page="Advice and Implementation">Advice vs. Implementation</aht> and <aht page="Literary Devices – Shemot 18">Literary Analysis</aht> for discussions of the subtle differences.</li> | ||
Version as of 23:58, 25 March 2014
Structural Analysis – Shemot 18
"Yitro's Visit"
Broader Context
Step 1 – Boundaries of the Unit
- Frame – Shemot 18 is a self-contained unit framed by Yitro's arrival and departure.1
- Characters – Yitro and Moshe are the main protagonists throughout the chapter and the only speakers. In the surrounding chapters, in contrast, the nation plays a more active role.
- Plot – The unifying motif of the entire chapter is Yitro's interest and concern regarding the welfare of Moshe and the people. This theme is repeated numerous times – see vss. 1,8,9,14,17,23.
Step 2 – Division into Scenes
I. "Reunion" (18:1-12)
II. "Yitro's Advice" (18:13-26)
Aftermath: Yitro's Departure (18:27)
- Chapter 18 may be divided into two main scenes – verses 1-12 and verses 13-26.2 Verse 27 closes the entire unit.3
- Plot – In the first scene of Chapter 18, Yitro and Moshe speak about the good (הַטּוֹבָה) that Hashem did (עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים, עָשָׂה ה') for the nation, while in the second they discuss what is not good (לֹא טוֹב) about what Moshe is doing (הוּא עֹשֶׂה, אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה, עֲשֹׂהוּ, תַּעֲשֶׂה) to the nation.4
- Timing – The time marker, "And it happened on the next day" (18:13), divides the chapter into two scenes. See Chronology for the time frames of each scene.5
Step 3.1 – Subdivision of Scene I
A. "News & Arrival" (18:1-7)
B. "Conversation" (18:8-12)
- The first half of the chapter can be subdivided into two subscenes – verses 1-7 and verses 8-12.6
- Parallels – Each subscene opens with Yitro hearing of the wonders that Hashem has done for the Children of Israel (v.1 – וַיִּשְׁמַע יִתְרוֹ... חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים, v.8 – וַיְסַפֵּר מֹשֶׁה לְחֹתְנוֹ אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה ה'). In each, the report is then followed by the actions of taking (וַיִּקַּח) and coming (וַיָּבֹא) (vss. 2,5,7,12) – see Literary Analysis for elaboration.
- Characters – In Subscene A, Yitro hears from an unidentified source about what has happened to Moshe and the nation, while in Subscene B, he hears from Moshe directly. For a detailed comparison and analysis, see Two Accounts.
- Setting – The first subscene moves from Midyan to Moshe's tent, while the second transpires in Moshe's tent.7
- Ending – At the conclusion of the first subscene, Moshe goes out to greet Yitro, while at the end of the second subscene, Aharon and the elders of Israel come to honor Yitro.8
Step 3.2 – Subdivision of Scene II
A. "Problem" (18:13-18)
B. "Proposal" (18:19-23)
C. "Implementation" (18:24-26)
- The second half of the chapter can be subdivided into three subscenes – verses 13-18, verses 19-23, and verses 24-26.9 In the first subscene Yitro observes the problem with what Moshe is doing (אֵת כָּל אֲשֶׁר הוּא עֹשֶׂה לָעָם, לֹא טוֹב הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה), in the second subscene he offers an alternative proposal (אִם אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה תַּעֲשֶׂה), while in the third subscene Moshe executes Yitro's plan (וַיַּעַשׂ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר אָמָר).
- Characters – Yitro and Moshe engage in dialogue in Subscene A, while Yitro is the sole speaker in Subscene B and Moshe implements alone in Subscene C.
- Contrasts – In Subscene A, Moshe sits alone in judgment and Yitro advises him that he "will not be able" (לֹא תוּכַל) to continue in this fashion, while in Subscene B, Yitro advises Moshe that by appointing others to judge he "will be able" (וְיָכָלְתָּ) to endure. See Moshe's Duties and Yitro's Advice and Literary Analysis for expansion.
- Parallels – Subscenes B and C share near identical language (vss. 21-22, 25-26) as Moshe implements Yitro's plan almost to the letter. See Advice vs. Implementation and Literary Analysis for discussions of the subtle differences.
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