Yitro's Visit – Purpose and Significance/3/en

Yitro's Visit – Its Purpose and Significance

Points of Dispute

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

• Did Yitro convert? See Yitro's Religious Identity.
  • Yes – R. Eliezer and R. Elazar HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 1, Bavli Zevachim 116a,¹ Targum Pseudo-Jonathan Shemot 18:6-7, Tanchuma Yitro 1-7, Tanchuma Buber Yitro 1-5, Shemot Rabbah 27:1-9, Ramban Shemot 18:1,12, Minchah Belulah 18:5,9.
  • No – Cassuto.
• Yitro's sacrifices – See Yitro's Sacrifices.
  • Celebration of the Jewish people's salvation – Chizkuni 18:12.
  • Conversion sacrifice – Ramban 18:12, Seforno 18:12.
  • Covenant sealing meal – R. D"Z Hoffmann Shemot 18:12, Fensham.
• Did Yitro ultimately remain with the nation? See Did Yitro return and remain?
  • Yes – R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 2, Ramban 18:1.
  • No – Cassuto.

¹ This is explicit in the printed editions of the Bavli which read 'and he converted' (ונתגייר). However, most manuscripts (as well as the Sheiltot #166) do not contain that word. A similar textual situation exists in Vayikra Rabbah 9:6.