Yitro's Religious Identity

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.
    • Yitro was excommunicated and was unable to hire any shepherds – Tanchuma Shemot 11, Midrash Aggadah (Buber) Shemot 2:16, Shemot Rabbah 1:32.
    • Daughters were frequently shepherds – Josephus Antiquities 2:11:2, Radak Bereshit 29:9, R. D"Z Hoffmann Shemot 2:16. See Rachel.
  • How did the shepherds dare harass the daughters of the kohen?
    • Yitro was excommunicated – Tanchuma Shemot 11, Midrash Aggadah (Buber) Shemot 2:16, Shemot Rabbah 1:32, Rashi Shemot 2:16-17.
    • The set schedule was that the other shepherds drew water first, and on this day the daughters happened to come early – Ramban 2:16.
  • What was Moshe's religious identity when he married Zipporah?
    • Moshe was a full fledged Jew –
    • Moshe had very little Jewish background – see Ramban Shemot 2:11.
    • She came from a monotheistic or at least non-idolatrous family – R. Saadia 18:8, Ibn Ezra 2:16, Tanchuma Shemot 11, Midrash Aggadah (Buber) Shemot 2:16, Shemot Rabbah 1:32, Rashi Shemot 2:16.
    • She followed in the footsteps of the Matriarchs – Sefer Divrei HaYamim shel Moshe Rabbeinu.
    • Yitro was very wise and had Divine inspiration – Tzeror HaMor Shemot 18:24.
    • She provided food for Moshe and saved him from death when her grandfather imprisoned him – Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) Shemot 2:21, Sefer Divrei HaYamim shel Moshe Rabbeinu.
    • Her family demonstrated the Abrahamic traits of kindness and hospitality – R. Avraham Ben HaRambam Shemot 2:20. This attribute may have trumped any concerns over idolatry.1
    • Moshe needed to marry specifically the daughter of a priest, as only a priestly estate could afford him political asylum and protection from Paroh – R. Dan cited by R. Bachya 2:21. He adds that Yitro first converted to Judaism/monotheism.
  • Did Moshe make a pact with Yitro?See the story of the Malon in Shemot 4.
    • Yitro was an idolater and they made an agreement that one of Moshe's sons would worship idols or remain uncircumcised – R"E HaModai in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 1, Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) Shemot 4:24.
    • Yitro had already forsaken idols and there was no such deal – Tanchuma Shemot 11, Shemot Rabbah 1:32.
    • Yitro had already forsaken idols, but there was an accord regarding circumcision – perhaps Midrash Aggadah (Buber) Shemot 2:16, 18:3.
    • Religious – to convert – R. Eliezer in Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Yitro Amalek 1, Talmud Bavli Zevachim 116a,2 Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan) Shemot 18:6-7, Tanchuma Buber Yitro 1-5, Tanchuma Yitro 1-7, Shemot Rabbah 27:1-9, Ramban Shemot 18:1,12, Minchah Belulah 18:5,9.
    • Personal – to reunify the family – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor.
    • Political – a diplomatic mission – Cassuto.
  • What is the meaning of vayichad?
    • Related to chad (sharp) – Yitro circumcised himself with a sharp knife – Rav in Bavli Sanhedrin 94a.
    • Related to yihud (singularity) – Yitro recognized Hashem's exclusivity – Tanchuma Buber Yitro 5.
    • Related to yhd (Jew) – Yitro converted to Judaism – Tanchuma Yitro 7, Tanchuma Buber Yitro 5 (second option).
    • For additional possibilities, see vayichad.
  • Was Yitro's advice Divinely inspired?
    • Yes – Tzeror HaMor Shemot 18:24.
    • No, it wasn't even constructive – Abarbanel.
  • Why were Moshe's sons not chosen for leadership positions?
    • Because of their lineage – Abarbanel Shemot 28.
    • Other reasons – see Moshe's sons.
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