Why Jethro Said Le-Shalom and Moses Returned

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Shemot 18:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Exodus 4:18:) "And he said to him: Please let me go and return to my kinsfolk, etc. [Go for peace (le-shalom)]" (ibid.). Everyone of whom it is written "for peace (le-shalom)" goes and returns; and everyone of whom it is written "in peace (be-shalom)" goes and does not return. Concerning Abner it is written (in 2 Samuel 3:21): "And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace (be-shalom)" — he went and did not return. But Jethro said to Moses, "Go for peace (le-shalom)" — he went and returned, as it is said: "And Jethro said to Moses: Go for peace (le-shalom)."

Themes

MosesWarAdam EvePrayerEgypt

Biblical References

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