Why does the Torah write "va'Yelech Moshe, va'Yashav El Yeser"?
What is the connection between Yeser, Moshe's father-in-law, and Yisro?
Rashi: Yeser and Yisro are one and the same person. 1
Yisro had seven names - Re'uel, Yeser, Yisro, Chovav, Chever, Keini and Puti'el (See Rashi in Parshas Yisro, to Shemos 18:1). It is not clear however, why the Torah refers to him here as 'Yeser,' which is the name that he received for adding a Parshah to the Torah. See Oznayim la'Torah.
Why did Moshe find it necessary to report to Yisro before returning to Egypt on his Shelichus?
Rashi: Because he had sworn to Yisro that he would not leave without his permission. 1
Chizkuni: Moshe had to return Yisro's sheep, for he did not know when he would return.
Why here, does Moshe pride himself on being the son-in-law of Yisro, whereas at the beginning of Yisro, it is Yisro who is proud of being Moshe's father-in-law (See Sifsei Chachamim at the beginning of Yisro)?
Rashi (in Yisro, to Shemos 18:1): Because whereas there, Moshe was a king, here he was as yet unknown and held no important title.
Why did Moshe not tell Yisro about the revelation on Har Chorev?
Oznayim la'Torah: Out of humility - just like Shaul ha'Melech did not inform his uncle that he had been crowned king. 1
See Shmuel I 10:16.
What is the significance of the fact that Yisro blessed Moshe "Lech l'Shalom;" whereas David blessed Avshalom "Lech b'Shalom" (Shmuel II 15:9)?
Shemos Rabah (5:3): We find that one who is blessed 'Lech l'Shalom' returns; whereas one who is blessed 'Lech b'Shalom' 1 does not return. (Also refer to Bereishis 28:21:151:1 and the note.)
Berachos 63a: Someone who takes leave of his friend should not say 'Lech b'Shalom,' but 'Lech l'Shalom!'; for we find that when Yisro said to Moshe Lech l'Shalom!,' he (Moshe) went and was successful; whereas when David said to Avshalom 'Lech b'Shalom,' 2 he went and was hanged.
Tanchuma (Shemos 18) learns this from Avner. (Regarding Avner, it says "va'Yelech b'Shalom." Tanchuma understands that so David blessed him 'Lech b'Shalom.' Perhaps Tanchuma learns from Avner, and not from Avshalom, for we attribute Avshalom's death to his evil intent - PF).
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "He (Yisro) had seven names." But some Midrashim count only two names; how can this be explained?
Gur Aryeh: Perhaps both are correct. The Torah refers to Yisro by seven different names, teaching us various aspects of Yisro's deeds and virtues. To his colleagues, however, he was known by only two names - Chovav and Yeser. 1
Gur Aryeh: Moshe addresses his father-in-law as "Yeser" in our Pasuk; and as "Chovav" in Bamidbar 10:29.
Rashi writes: "[Moshe] returned to Yeser, his father-in-law' - to ask permission [to leave]; for [so] he had sworn to him." Mizrachi asks - If Moshe had sworn, he needed to nullify that oath (Hatarah), not merely to ask permission!
Gur Aryeh: In fact, the oath that Yisro had Moshe take, consisted of two aspects; a. not to leave for another land - because Yisro wanted his daughter to be close-by. This oath was for Yisro's benefit, therefore obtaining his permission to leave would be sufficient; b. Moshe swore not to return to Mitzrayim, as he would be in danger there. This oath was not for Yisro's personal benefit; as such, it was not dependent upon his permission. It would have to be nullified. 1
Moshe would be Matir Neder on the grounds that those who sought his life had already died (4:19), such that the danger had passed. Also see Nedarim 65a.
