Yitro's Life After Shemot 18/3

Yitro's Life After Shemot 18

Points of Dispute

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

• Chronology – When did Yitro come and leave?
  • Yitro came and left in the first year – Ramban, Chizkuni, Peirush HaRosh.
  • Yitro came and left in the second year – Ibn Ezra, Ralbag, Cassuto.
  • Yitro came in the first year, but left in the second year – Rashi, Akeidat Yitzhak, Abarbanel, Shadal.
• Yitro and Chovav
  • Yitro and Chovav are the same person – Most exegetes.
  • Yitro and Chovav are different people – Biur, perhaps Shadal Bemidbar, Hoil Moshe.
• The two departures in Shemot 18 and Bemidbar 10
  • They are the same event – Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Radak, Ralbag, Akeidat Yitzhak, Abarbanel, Sforno, Shadal, Malbim, Cassuto.
  • They are different events – Ramban, Chizkuni, Peirush HaRosh, Biur, perhaps Shadal Bemidbar, Hoil Moshe.
• Keinites
  • Join Israel – Most commentators.
  • Do not join Israel – Shadal, Malbim, Cassuto.