Let’s dive into one of those fascinating in-between moments, found in Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus.

The text focuses on a seemingly simple phrase: “Moses went.” But wait, shouldn't it say, "Moses returned"? After all, wasn’t he already with his father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro)?

The Rabbis offer a compelling explanation: Moses first went on a mission for God, and then "returned" to Yitro. But that raises another question: what about the oath Moses made to Yitro when he left Midian?

According to this interpretation, God anticipated this dilemma. God tells Moses, "If Yitro brings up the oath, tell him that the 'Master of the Oath' released you from your vow." Etz Yosef clarifies that the “Master of the Oath” refers to God, in whose name the oath was taken. So, "Moses went," fulfilling God's command, and then, he "returned" to Yitro.

But the story doesn’t end there! The son of Rabbi Ḥiyya the Great adds another layer. He suggests that Moses didn’t go to Pharaoh until Yitro explicitly annulled his vow. If that's the case, the text asks, then what does "Moses went" even mean here? Where was he going?

The answer: to retrieve his wife, Tzipporah, and his sons.

Imagine the scene. Moses tells Yitro he's taking them to Egypt. Yitro, wise and insightful, questions his decision. “Those in Egypt are trying to escape,” he says, “and you’re taking your family there?”

Moses responds with a powerful vision of the future. He explains that one day, his sons will stand at Mount Sinai and hear God proclaim, "Anochi Adonai Elohecha" – “I am the Lord, your God” (Exodus 20:2). He asks Yitro, "Shouldn't my sons hear this directly, just like everyone else?"

Yitro, understanding the immense significance of this moment, relents. He says to Moses, "Lech le-shalom” – “Go in peace.” But the Rabbis in Shemot Rabbah emphasize that it wasn’t just a simple farewell. It was a blessing: "Go in peace, enter in peace, and come in peace."

What can we take away from this fascinating little story? It reminds us that even seemingly small actions – a journey to retrieve one's family – can be imbued with profound meaning. It highlights the importance of seeking counsel from wise mentors, like Yitro, and the power of envisioning a future where our children can participate in moments of divine revelation. It also shows us how rabbinic tradition loves to zoom in on details, find the questions within the questions, and reveal deeper truths hidden in plain sight.