Moses Gaster attached great importance to Yalkut haMachiri, thinking that it was older than Yalkut Shimoni, the second part of which at least Gaster concluded was a bad adaptation from Yalkut haMachiri. Gaster's conclusions, however, were contested by A. Epstein, who declares that Yalkut haMachiri is both inferior to and later than "Yalkut Shimoni."
Moses Gaster held Yalkut haMachiri in high esteem, thinking it predated Yalkut Shimoni, although he believed the latter's second part was a flawed imitation of the former. Conversely, A. Epstein challenges Gaster's claims, suggesting that Yalkut haMachiri is not only inferior but also postdates "Yalkut Shimoni."