Was Yitro Really Moshe's Father-in-law?

Related Topics

  • Why were the daughters shepherding?Cf. Rachel shepherding Laban's sheep and the discussion there of when Laban sons were born. See Yitro's Daughters.
    • Reuel/Yitro had no sons – this could be the position of Demetrius. According to him, Shofetim 1:16 and 4:11 are speaking of descendants of Zipporah's uncle (and not her brother).
    • Reuel/Yitro had no sons yet, but did have later – Tanchuma Shemot 16 based on Shofetim 1:16 and 4:11.
    • Daughters were frequently shepherds, even when there were sons (the sons are not mentioned here because they were not essential for the plot) – Josephus Antiquities 2:11:2, Radak Bereshit 29:9, R. D"Z Hoffmann Shemot 2:16.
  • Who married off Zipporah to Moshe?
    • Her grandfather Reuel who is the head of the household- Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) Shemot 2:21, Ibn Ezra Long Commentary 2:18, Ibn Kaspi.
    • Her father Reuel who is Yitro – Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, Ibn Janach.
    • Her father Reuel who is not Yitro – Ibn Ezra Bemidbar, Biur, last approach.
    • Her father Yitro who is not Reuel – Ramban.
  • How much time elapsed between Shemot 2 and 3

    What is the meaning of ויהי בימים הרבים ההם in Shemot 2:23)?

    • Many years – Michaelis (cited in Shadal).
    • A short time – Ramban.
  • Who accompanied Yitro in Shemot 18?
    • Zipporah and her two sons – this is the standard assumption.
    • His own wife and sons, in addition to Zipporah and her two sons – Minchah Belulah Shemot 18:5 (see here).
  • Relationship of Shemot 18 and Bemidbar 10:29-33:

    How many times did Yitro come? Is the last verse of Shemot 18 in its chronological place? Did Yitro ultimately remain with the Children of Israel?

    • Yitro = Chovav:
      • Yitro came twice:
        • Yitro came in the first year and left in the second year (Shemot 18 = Bemidbar 10), but then returned again (as his descendants are with the Children of Israel in Shofetim 1) – R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 2 according to Ramban,1 Akeidat Yitzchak.2
        • Yitro came in the first year (Shemot 18), departed before the Decalogue, returned in the second year (Bemidbar 10), and then remained with the Children of Israel – Ramban, Peirush HaRosh.
        • Yitro came in the first year (Shemot 18) and again in the second year (Bemidbar 10) and returned to Midyan on both occasions.
      • Yitro came only once (Shemot 18 = Bemidbar 10) and did not remain with the nation:
        • Yitro came and left only in the second year – Ibn Ezra, Cassuto.
        • Yitro came in the first year and left in the second year – Rashi, Abarbanel, and Shadal.
    • Yitro ≠ Chovav (and Shemot 18 ≠ Bemidbar 10), each came only once, and Yitro came and left in the first year – presumably Josephus, Biur Bemidbar 10:29, Hoil Moshe Bemidbar 10:29.
  • What is the meaning of vayshalach in 18:27?
    • Moshe actively sent Yitro away so that he would not be present for the Decalogue – R. Yehoshua in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 1-2, Pesikta DeRav Kahana BaChodesh 12:9,16, Tanchuma (Buber) Yitro 11, Peirush HaRosh Shemot 18:4.
    • Moshe gave Yitro an honorary escort – Ibn Ezra, Cassuto.
    • Moshe gave Yitro gifts – R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 2.
    • Yes – Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 1, Bavli Zevachim 116a,3 Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) Shemot 18:6-7, Ramban. If Yitro converted, it is likely that he would have chosen to remain with the Children of Israel. Thus, R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 2 and Ramban assume that Yitro converted, went back and forth, and ultimately stayed on with the nation.
    • No – Shadal and Cassuto posit that he did not convert, came only once, and left.
    • See here for a discussion of Yitro's religious beliefs during the various stages of his life.
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