Why Yitro Was the True Convert Who Heard and Came

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Yitro 1:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "and they shall be praised" (Ecclesiastes 8:10): that they take pride in their good deeds. "This also is vanity" (ibid.) — for is this not vanity, that the nations of the world see them, how they come and convert and enter beneath the wings of the Shekhinah, while they themselves do not convert? "This also is vanity." Who was it that came and converted, a proselyte of truth? This was Yitro, as it is said, "And Yitro heard" (Exodus 18:1), and so forth.

Themes

ConversionShekhinah

Biblical References

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