Jethro

Moses' father-in-law, a.k.a. Reuel and Hovav

Moses the Midianite

Israel’s cries for help in Egypt reach all the way to God, upon “the Mountain of God” in Midian. In response, God sends Moses, a local shepherd, to free them.

Dr. Rabbi

Tzemah Yoreh

The Founding of Israel’s Judicial System

Even before Israel receives laws at Sinai, Exodus tells how Jethro the Midianite advises Moses to establish judges, a unique origin story for the judicial system with no parallel in ancient Near Eastern law collections. Deuteronomy revises the story to credit Moses with this idea after the revelation at Horeb.

Prof.

Bernard M. Levinson

Judaism’s First Converts: A Pagan Priest and a Prostitute

Linked by words and acts of chesed (lovingkindness), Jethro and Rahab are rabbinic exemplars of true converts.

Dr. Rabbi

David J. Zucker

Rabbi

Moshe Reiss

Preserving Multiple Opinions

From Judges to Tefillin, the Hagaddah to Kol Nidrei – Jewish Tradition has preserved or harmonized different opinions: An idea reflected in Torah as understood by the Documentary Hypothesis

Prof. Rabbi

Jeffrey Tigay

Hovav the Midianite: Why Was the End of the Story Cut?

The Midianite Origin of YHWH and Aniconism

Prof.

Israel Knohl

Eldad and Medad Successfully Challenge Moses’ Control over Prophecy

When Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp, Joshua zealously presses for their incarceration. Moses, however, exclaims that all the people should ideally be prophets.

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

Moses’ Father-in-Law: Kenite or Midianite?

In the ancient world, genealogy was not about family relations but about political alliances.

Dr. Rabbi

Zev Farber

Deuteronomy’s Jewish Democratic and Egalitarian Agenda

A study of Deuteronomy’s polemical revision of the Exodus 18 judges account.

Prof. Rabbi

David Frankel

Why Devarim Matters to Jews Today

It Is Very Close to You