Yitro's Visit – Its Purpose and Significance

Related Topics

• When does Yitro arrive?
  • In the first year before the Decalogue – Shemot Rabbah 27:6, Midrash Shemuel 12, Ramban Shemot 18:1,12, Minchah Belulah 18:5
  • In the first year after the Decalogue – R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 1.
  • In the second year – Cassuto.
• Who accompanied Yitro?
  • Just Zipporah and her sons – almost all commentaries.
  • Also Yitro's wife and Yitro's sons – Minchah Belulah.
• What was the relationship between the Children of Israel and the Keinites?
  • Family ties
  • The Keinites were part of the Israelites – R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 2, Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) 18:27, Rashi 18:27, Ramban 18:1.
  • There was a political treaty between the two nations – R. D"Z Hoffmann Shemot 18:12, Fensham.