From the Rabbi:
In Parashat Beha'alotecha (Bamidbar 10:29-32), Moshe invites Chovav (Yitro), his father in law to make aliya with Bnei Yisrael. The Jewish people are set to enter the Land and Moshe believes that he too will be going.
Moshe said to Chovav the son of Reuel, the Midianite, Moshe’s father in law: “We are journeying to the place about which God said: ‘I will give it to you,’ come along with us and we will treat you well, for God spoke of bringing good fortune on Israel.”
He (Yitro) said to him “I will not go, but rather to my land and to my birthplace I will go.”
He (Moshe) said to him “please do not forsake us, for, because you know of our encampment in the desert, and you will be our eyes. It will be that when you go with us, it shall be that the very good which God will bestow on us we will bestow on (share with) you.”
Several explanations have been given for Yitro's refusal to join Moses and Bnei Yisrael:
Sforno points out that as an older person, Yitro was afraid that moving to a new land and climate would make it difficult for him to adjust to the air and the food which could have a negative impact on his health.
According to Rashi, (quoting the Sifrei), Yitro wants to return home to Midian either for the sake of his property or for the sake of his family.
Rav Avraham from Prague explains that Yitro didn’t want to move back to Midian. Rather, he wanted to go back home temporarily in order to sell his property and convert his family.
The Gur Aryeh comments that we see in Shoftim 1:16 that Yitro (or at least his children) ultimately did settle in the Land of Israel: And the children of Keni, Moshe’s father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Yehuda into the wilderness of Yehuda which lies in the south of Arad and they went and dwelt among the people.
Have a beautiful Shabbat and I look forward to seeing you all!
Classes This Week
- Shabbat at 8:00 PM - Pirkei Avot
- Sunday at 7:30 PM - KOT Beit Midrash - Passover
- Tuesday at 12:30 PM - Parsha Conversations
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