Why did Yisro find it necessary to plead with Moshe for Kavod?
Oznayim la'Torah (citing a Midrash): It wasn't Kavod he wanted, 1 but to be accompanied into the camp, since, upon arrivasl, he found his entry blocked by the Ananei Kavod. So he sent a Shali'ach 2 - others say he shot an arrow with a note announcing his arrival tied to it 3 - into the camp, asking Moshe to out to greet him, or, if it was undignified to leave the camp to greet someone who is uncircumcised, to come and greet his wife, or, if it was not the done thing to go out to greet a woman, at least, to greet his children.
What is the significance of the fact that Moshe left the camp to greet Yisro?
Rashi: One can assume that when Moshe left the camp, Aharon, Nadav and Avihu accompanied him, and who would see these great people leaving the camp and not follow suit?
Seforno: Despite his eminent position, he did not refrain from going out 1 to greet the man who had shown him kindness when he was in trouble. 2
Moshav Zekenim: This is the source that one should greet everyone first (before he greets you), even a non-Jew in the market.
Targum Yonasan: He left the Cloud of Glory to go and greet him.
What is the source that this is due to the kindness that he did with him? Perhaps he showed Yisro respect because he was his father-in-law! (EC) If he holds that he divorced her (like Moshav Zekenimm verse 2), this is not difficult. (PF)
Unlike the chief butler, who forgot Yosef in spite of the kindness that Yosef had performed with him (Seforno).
What is the significance of the fact that all of Yisrael went out to greet Yisro?
Because Yisro was the first Ger Tzedek - and he came to convert after every single nation had rejected Hashem's offer to join Yisrael at Matan Torah - He certainly deserved the tremendous honor that Yisrael were giving him (Moreover, the nations' refusal to accept the Torah would have discouraged Yisrael from accepting the Torah - inasmuch as conveyed the impression that it is impossoble to fulfill it and its place is in Heaven. And Yisro's arrival in order to accept the Torah would have served to reassure them that Torah is attainable after all. That is why they made a big fuss of Yisro when he arrived.
Who prostrated himself before whom?
Rashi: It is Moshe who prostrated himself before Yisro, since, in Beha'aloscha, Bamidbar, 12:3, Moshe is called "Ish". 1
See Sifsei Chachamim. See Oznayim la'Torah who also asks why the Mechilta poses the question in the first place, seeing as Moshe is the subject mentioned at the beginning of the Pasuk?
Seeing as Moshe is the subject mentioned at the beginning of the Pasuk, why is it not obvious that he was the one to prostrate himself?
To which 'Ohel' did Moshe take Yisro?
Targum Onkelos: To the Mishkan. 1
Targum Yonasan: To the Beis-Hamidrash. 2
Presumably to a temporary Mishkan which Moshe set-up, since the official Mishkan had yet to be built.
To teach him Halachos, seeing as Moshe had just converted him - See Targum Yonasan and Na'ar Yonasan. The Oznayim la'Torah however, commenting on the Mechilta, merging the two explanations, writes that the Avos had special tents to publicise the existence of Hashem and to convert converts. And that is where Moshe took Yisro to teach him Yir'as Shamayim, before going to eat. He conc;ludes that this serves as a hint at the prohibition to eat before one has Davened.
How could Yisro come to Yisrael? Anenei ha'Kavod surrounded them!
Moshav Zekenim: Midrash (Agadah) says that he shot an arrow with a message saying that he is coming. 1
Moshav Zekenim: How did the arrow get through? The cloud protected against arrows and catapult rocks! Some say that Machaneh Dan was outside the cloud, due to Pesel Michah. Alternatively, due to Moshe's honor, the arrow went through the cloud.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that Moshe was the Ish who bowed, for it says "veha'Ish Moshe." Also Yisro is called Ish - "va'Yo'el Moshe Lasheves Es ha'Ish"!
Moshav Zekenim #1, Da'as Zekenim #1, Hadar Zekenim #1: We learn "Ish" from "Ish ha'Elokim", and not from "veha'Ish." 1
Moshav Zekenim #2: It showed humility to bow, so we learn from "veha'Ish Moshe Anav..."
Moshav Zekenim citing R. Yeshayah, Da'as Zekenim #2, Hadar Zekenim #2: "Ish" is written next to Moshe's name, but not next to Yisro's name.
Da'as Zekenim #3, Hadar Zekenim #3: "Va'Yo'el Moshe Lasheves Es ha'Ish" refers to Yisro's father Re'uel, and not to Yisro. 2
