Rabbi Chanoch Waxman
נמצאו 111 תוצאות חיפוש
The Hands of Moshe: Toward a Phenomenology of Faith
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
This class will examine the story of the Amalekite attack upon the Children of Israel found in Chapter Seventeen of the Book of Shemot. Through careful attention to the structure of the story and its relations to the larger themes of War and Prayer found in Parshat Beshalach we will attempt to both interpret the story in a novel fashion and unmask the inner dynamics of emuna and the Children of Israel's education in faith outlined in Parshat Beshalach.
Survival and Revival - On the Righteousness of Noah
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanNoah is introduced as a wholly righteous man, but ends his life drunk and humiliated. How does such a tragedy occur? A comparative read of the stories of the Flood and the destruction of Sodom reveals that Noah's failure stems from the fact that he didn't seek to help those around him, in contrast with Avraham, who attempts to help even the sinners of Sodom.
And God Saw that it Was Good
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe statement "and God saw that it was good" is absent from the creation of man. Soon after man's creation, the reader discovers that man reveals that the "impulse of the thoughts of his heart was only evil (ra) all the day." Why couldn't man be created good?
By What Shall I Know? Question and Covenant
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWe tend to think of a divine covenant, a treaty with God, as something good - not just good, but wholly good. It is a gift from God, granted to the forefathers and passed on to future generations. We expect our covenants to include the promise of nationhood, possession of the land of Israel, the promise of divine caring and perhaps some form of religious responsibility. However, we do not expect them to include suffering. The "covenant between the pieces" ("brit bein ha-betarim") shatters this expectation. In the very first formal covenant granted to Avraham by God, God promises suffering, and much of it.
But My Covenant I Shall Establish with Yitzhak
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy was Yishmael banished? Did he sin? Was he unworthy? The comparison of Akeidat Yitzchak to the expulsion of Yishmael reveals the way Avraham and Yitzchak cope with stressful situations, in comparison with Hagar and Yishmael. The Chosen Nation will descend from those who cope like the former, not the latter, who are expelled from the house of Avraham and rejected from the covenant with God.
The Bride of Yitzchak
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThis lesson follows Rivkah's unique character, and her surprising similarity to Avraham. The story of finding Yitzchak a bride focuses on Rivkah, and carries implications on our understanding of God's way in the world after the Akeida.
The Appointment of Moshe
Parashat Va'era
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanEarly in Parashat Va’era God commands Moshe to rescue Bnei Yisrael from Egypt. However, Moshe was already consecrated for this mission once, by the Burning Bush. What is the significance of this duality? Why is there a need for two consecrations? An analysis of each episode reveals the different reasons for saving the Children of Israel; each consecration focuses on another aspect of redemption.
Of Census and Service
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy are Bnei Yisrael counted in Parashat Bemidbar? Chapters 1-2 indicate that the Levites serve God in the Mishkan, whereas Bnei Yisrael serve God in other ways: their service is expressed in the loyalty of following God's command and travelling to their destiny, toward the Land of Israel. This is considered no less of a service of God. Bnei Yisrael are enlisted for this service at the start of Bemidbar.
The Camp and the Chariot
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhat is the reason for the commandment to send the impure form the camp? Why are the laws of impurity in the camp placed at this intersection in the Book of Bemidbar? Was the distance meant to prevent accidental impurity in Holy Places? Or perhaps the prohibition indicates that there is inherent purity to the Camp of Israel? Apparently the order and structure of the Israeli Camp indicates that the Camp is a chariot for the Divine Presence, which requires an attention to the purity of the camp as a whole.
Of Lusts and Laments
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanMoshe's response to the "mitavim" - the people who desired meat - differs from his previous reactions to the sins and complaints of Bnei Yisrael. What's the reason for his changed attitude? Is there a connection between the sin of "those who desired meat" and the departure of Yitro?
"To Know what was in Your Heart..." (Devarim 8:2): Of Divine Tests and a Knowing Heart
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhat was the purpose of the test of the manna, and the general purpose of testing Am Yisrael throughout their journeys in the desert? God's causing of hardship to Israel should be understood as part of a process of education, as part of a process of building the religious virtue of awe and fear of heaven. It is intended to benefit Israel and help them, both now and in the future in following God's word and fidelity to his commandments.
The River and the Redeemer (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 12 דקותThe Torah tells the story of Moshe's infancy in detail, yet skips his formative years and moves straight to his adulthood stories of rescuing others from injustice. This shiur explores the significance of Moshe’s infancy narrative, emphasizing the textual and symbolic connections between Moshe's Israelite birth mother and his Egyptian adoptive mother (Pharaoh's daughter).
The Appointment of Moshe (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 21 דקותGod’s mission and Moshe’s response from the Burning Bush appear to be briefly repeated in Parashat Va'era. The “second” mission responds to the problematic outcome of the first mission, but why are two parts necessary for the redemption? A textual comparison of the two missions reveals two distinct aspects of God’s redemption of the Israelites: compassionate empathy, and fulfilling the Covenant of the Forefathers (Brit Avot).
The House of Bondage (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 22 דקותYetziat Mizrayim(The Exodus from Egypt) parallels “Yetziat Sodom”(the Exodus from Sodom) in the time of Lot. Lot had the compassion of Abraham, but tragedy resulted when he could not break out of his “Sedom identity.” The challenge of the doorpost for Pesach Mitzrayim is for Bnei Yisrael — will they trust in God’s command? Can they break with their Egyptian identities and become God’s people?
The Hand of Moshe and the Hand of God
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 33 דקותDo Moshe’s hands really determine the battle outcome? This shiur offers a three part comparison among the events Amalek War, Masa u-Meriva, and Yam Suf. The people have a crisis of faith –will God save them again? At Yam Suf, the people were supposed to passively watch, but when they have to act, will they also recognize God’s Hand?
Mishpatim: The Covenant at Sinai (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 13 דקותThis shiur examines the placement of the formalistic “brit” sprinkling of the blood story as it is juxtaposed with Moshe's spiritual mountain ascent. What is the meaning of this juxtaposition? The combination of the two stories, each of which highlights a different side of the religious experience, suggests that legalism does not conflict with spirituality.
Parshat Teruma - Of Sequence and Sanctuary: The View of Rashi (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |What compels Rashi to insist that the stories of the command to build the Mishkan and the Sin of the Golden Calf are not presented in chronological order? Is the mikdash merely an after-the-fact response to the sin of the Golden Calf? Or could the textual and thematic parallels between the mikdash and the Revelation at Sinai provide significantly different reasons and implications for Rashi’s sequencing?
The Jewelry and the Tent (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 21 דקותAfter the Sin of the Golden Calf, the Torah relates that the people took off their jewelry at Horeb. Why is this emphasized in the midst of Moshe's impassioned pleas on the people’s behalf? Is God's mercy inevitable? Determining where the jewelry comes from helps us to understand how casting the jewelry off symbolizes the crucial beginning of repentance and reconciliation.
Of Parts and Pieces: The Instructions and Assembly of the Mishkan (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 16 דקותThe lack of symmetry between the text's portrayal of God's commands pertaining to the Mishkan and Moshe's fulfilment of those commands hints to a message that the Torah seeks to convey about the Mishkan and its relationship to the people and the priests. This shiur explores the symbolism, significance and purpose of the representation of the Mishkan—the Tent of Meeting as a portable Sinai, as portrayed at the end of the book of Exodus.
Vayikra and the Minha Offering
Vayikra
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |Why, for meal offerings, are se’or and devash (grain and honey) forbidden? This shiur looks at explanations of commentators such as Maimonides, and then delves into a literary analysis of unleavened bread in Biblical narrative to demonstrate that unleavened bread symbolizes the moment of leaving Egypt, and the potential process of “becoming,” while leavened bread (and honey) symbolize arrival, or “being,” and why each are appropriate for different types of offerings (korbanot).
Torah and the Kingdom of Priests [audio]
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 22 דקותWhy does our parsha repeat the list of instructions relating to offerings (korbanot) in a very similar way to the one found in Parshat Vayikra? What is the significance of the striking differences between the list? Examining these similarities and differences highlights the dialectic of worshipping God: the importance of priests performing rituals along with the individual religious quest.
Each Man His Fire Pan: On The Deaths of Nadav and Avihu (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |This shiur looks at the tragic death of Nadav and Avihu, and explores possible explanations for their death. More than merely straying into the precinct at the wrong time, it seems that they may have had fatal misconceptions what it means to function as a priest, and that they had fundamentally misunderstood the connection between coming close and attention to the Divine command.
Of Death and Defilement (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 19 דקותTazria, a parsha dealing with various cases of impurity as they pertain to the Mikdash, may appear to begin an interruption - why doesn't “Acharei Mot” come right after Shemini, the preceding (and related) narrative? This shiur argues that Tazria is a natural continuation to Shemini, presenting the proper way for priests to engage with God, tum'a and tahara and encounters with death.
Of Space and Time (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |This shiur explores Sefer Vayikra's unique presentation of the Moadim. One may have thought that the various offerings (korbanot) would be central, but that is not the case. Rather, the Moadim highlight the opportunity to encounter God, which is what Vayikra is really about. Just as the Tent of Meeting is an example of sacred space, the Moadim are about sacred time.
Between Sabbath and Sanctuary (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 18 דקותThis shiur explores the striking “shabbat” motif in Vayikra's presentation of the Shemitta year (as opposed to the Shemitta laws in other books), in Parshat Behar and in the punishment section in Bechukotai, and reveals how the Seventh Year expands on and fuses together the themes of “holiness of time” and “holiness of space.”
Of Census and Service (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |What is the purpose of having a census so soon after the one in Sefer Shemot? This shiur explores possible purposes of the census, looking at biblical instances of census-taking. Ultimately, the census narrative of Bemidbar appears to send a message about unexpected aspects of Divine service.
The Camp and the Chariot (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |This shiur explores concepts of sanctity and defilement (tuma'h ve-tahara), and compares their various appearances in the Torah. The placement of the tribal standards (Degalim) around the Mishkan is analyzed, and compared with the “Divine Chariot” vision of Ezekiel, where the keruvim (cherubim) surround the Divine Celestial Throne.
Of Lusts and Laments (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |Why is Moshe in such a crisis over the complaint of Bnei Yisrael? Bnei Yisrael have complained or misbehaved before, but this time Moshe says to God that the burden is too heavy and wishes to die. Examining this episode in context and looking at Yitro’s arrival in Shemot help to shed light on the situation.
Of Spy Stories and Heroic Measures (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותThe spying expedition returns with the beautiful bounty of Eretz Yisrael, but ends disastrously. What was God’s original command? What was the original purpose of sending spies to tour the Land? This shiur compares the “spying” accounts of Bemidbar and Devarim.
The Incense Challenge
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותThe rebellion of Korach, Datan, Aviram, and the 250 men offering incense is complex, with multiple agendas. The holiness incense “test” suggested by Moshe is perplexing, especially in light of the Nadav and Avihu story. Was it a death threat? If so, would it not have been an obvious one? Why did the men agree to it?
Of Sticks and Stones
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותHow did Moshe and Aharon fail to sanctify God at Mei Meriva, and why are they not permitted to enter the Land of Israel? We will gain insight into these matters by viewing our Parsha in its larger context of BeMidbar, and comparing the "stick" in our Parsha with Aharon's flowering stick in Parshat Korach and with the stick in the Parshat Beshalach.
"For God is Not a Man" (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |Parshat Balak appears to interrupt the flow of Sefer Bemidbar. Why does it belong in the Torah? This shiur explores the significance of the parallels between Parshat Balak and the Akeida story, and reveals that Parshat Balak and its placement at a momentous point in Bemidbar send an important message about God, Israel, sacrifices, and the Covenant (Brit).
"A Possession Before the Lord" (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 32 דקותWhy is Moshe so upset at the tribes of Reuben and Gad for asking for land east of the Jordan River - land suitable for their many cattle? Is their request worse than the "Sin of the Spies"? To understand Moshe's anguish, we must examine parallels in the story of Abraham and Lot, their cattle conflicts, and Lot's vision of Sedom as fertile and resembling Egypt.
Of Divine Tests and a Knowing Heart (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 31 דקותIs the manna a practical necessity? Or a miraculous sustenance? If it is a Divine test, what is the purpose of such a test, and of possible affliction? Uncomfortable parallels with Egyptian affliction of the Israelites arise. The paradigm of the "Divine Test"—the Akeida, is also examined. Grappling with these issues results in highlighting the important connection between commandments and communal memory.
The Ceremony of the Stones
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 33 דקותWhat is the purpose and significance of the plastered stones and rough altar to be set up upon entry to the land? Comparing the ceremony at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal with the ceremony of the Covenant at Sinai, and reviewing Abraham's altars and his Covenant with God upon his entry to the Land reveals that the command in our Parsha is intrinsically connected to both.
The Blessing, the King and the Torah of Moshe (Audio)
Vezot HaBerakha
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 24 דקותWhat is the purpose behind the content and imagery of Moshe's last song to his people? Allusions to Sinai and comparisons to the Yaakov's blessings and to the Song of Haazinu provide hints to the meaning embedded in this farewell song. VeZot HaBerakha presents an idyllic vision of strength, loyalty and prosperity -a positive alternative to the dire warning scenario of Haazinu.
The Righteousness of Noah
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 40 דקותNoah is described as "righteous," but his life ends tragically. The beginning of the Noah story contains parallels with Abraham, but then there is a switch—with more parallels to Lot. Ultimately, while Noah may have had potential like that of Abraham – Like Lot he appreciates the value of "surviving" but not of "reviving." He connects to God, but does not extend that connection to the world.
"By What Shall I Know:" Question and Covenant (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 24 דקותThe "Covenant Between the Pieces" contains a positive promise, but it also describes a great deal of suffering. Is suffering necessary to the Divine Covenant? Does Abraham's possible questioning justify significant affliction for his descendants? An analysis of the story of Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, helps to illuminate matters.
But My Covenant I Shall Establish With Yitzchak (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 24 דקותAfter the birth of Yitzchak comes the expulsion of Yishmael, which contains elements of a "danger and rescue" journey as well as parallels to Akeidat Yitzchak. But what type of redemption is present in each of these stories? While one appears as more of a natural redemption, the other is a dramatic reversal.
The Story of Avraham's Servant
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותThe search for a wife for Yitzchak highlights the importance of finding key aspects of Abraham's personality in Rivka. But the narrative also contains repetition and seemingly extraneous details—why? There is an intricate interplay among the structure, content, and subtext (or agenda). This story is a key part of the "forefather" stories, and foreshadows nationhood issues for future generations.
I am Esau Your Firstborn - And Now, My Son, Listen to My Voice
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותRivka is often viewed as the heroine in the story of the blessings: she disguises Yaakov as Esav so that her younger son will receive Yitzchak's blessing. The problematic deception, and the ensuing separation, exile, and suffering point to another perspective in the story. Does Rivka's daring plan exemplify the importance of human initiative alongside Divine Providence, or is it a tragic mistake?
Of Angels, Pillars and Brothers (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 25 דקותThe end of the Parshat Vayetzeh contains significant motifs that parallel the beginning of the parsha. This structure highlights a contrast between Yaakov at the beginning of the Parsha and the person he becomes at the end. Yaakov’s interaction with Lavan shows him the problematic road which he had been following. By the end of the process, Yaakov separates himself physically and psychologically from Lavan.
Yaakov's Struggle and Confrontation
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותYaakov is left alone and struggles with a mysterious figure. Why are they struggling and why does Yaakov insist on receiving a blessing from this stranger? What motivates Yaakov to meet Esav, and why does God insist on this meeting? Blessedness stems from struggles. The struggle, and the meeting with Esav, is a manifestation of Yaakov’s character transformation and of his sincere search for forgiveness.
The Prince and the Prison (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 24 דקותYosef finds favour while he is a slave in Egypt - in Potiphar’s house, and in jail. The text emphasizes again and again how God is helping Yosef. But if this is so, why does God bring Yosef continually downward? What is the meaning and message of Yosef’s descent?
Of Bags and Brothers (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 24 דקותThe brothers’ sacks should contain grain, or cash, but not both. When they find their money (which Yosef had slipped into the sacks) along with the grain in their sacks, they worry. What is Yosef doing? Does he wish to harshly punish, or to kindly provide a way to achieve atonement? Yosef ultimately demonstrates that pursuing morality trumps realizing dreams.
Yehuda's Plea and Its Audiences (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 23 דקותYehuda’s plea to the second-in-command of Egypt is reminiscent of Abraham’s prayer for justice. The tripartite structure of Yehuda’s plea includes appeals to mercy and to justice. But there is a third part which does not seem to belong - a spontaneous outburst about his father. What does this surprising addition reveal?
The Tears of Yosef (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 22 דקותThe description of the final days—and deaths—of Yaakov and Yosef share linguistic and symbolic similarities, but these similarities show that many details are missing in the death of Yosef. Why does his death and burial seem to involve less honor? The textual juxtaposition of these stories hints that the reason for the disparity is more than the many intervening decades. There is a message about relationships, family, and the tension between vision vs. destiny.
A Possession Before the Lord (Bamidbar 32:22)
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe request of Bnei Gad and Reuven positions them outside of the Promised Land, outside of God's plan for the historical future of His people, and even outside of the heritage of Avraham. Moshe’s counter-offer depends on the the loyalty Bnei Gad and Reuven promise their brothers, as well as loyalty to the land of their brothers, and to God.
The Rise of Pinchas
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanPinhas’s zealous and extra judiciary act opposes Moshe’s way of leadership and the justice Moshe attempted to enact in the sin of Ba’al Pe’or. Pinhas’s action is sanctioned by God because of the gravity of the situation. Eliyahu acts out of zeal and can no longer continue to be God’s messenger.
The Testimony of Ha'azinu
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 31 דקותWhat is the purpose of the text of Haazinu and the "heavens and earth" serving in a witnessing capacity? Haazinu presents divine justice - and reminds Bnei Yisrael that the "measure for measure" horrors during a time of "Hester Panim" - times when God hides His Face - are still bracketed by past and future Divine healing. Haazinu, juxtaposed with the "Luchot Ha-Edut" (Tablets of Testimony) is a testament to the eternal and lasting covenantal connection between God and Israel.
The Waters of Sinai
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy does the Torah repeat the requirement to distance the nation from the mountain? Is this the first arrival of Bnei Yisrael at Sinai, or had they been there before, in the story of Massa u-Meriva? Why does the Torah parallel God's revelation at Sinai with the nation's previous request for water?
Parshat Tetzaveh
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 40 דקותThe verses describing the construction of mizbe'ach haktoret (the gold altar) are seemingly out of place, not listed among all the other vessels of the mishkan, despite their similarities in terms of materials, instructions, and construction. Why is this mizbe'ach listed separately? Rabbi Chanoch Waxman focuses on the nature of ketoret, placed alongside the aron ha'edut, both in the Torah and in the mishkan itself. This crucial connection teaches us about the means by which the Divine presence is brought forth by human initiative on a daily basis and about the presence of God in the world.
The Golden Calf - Ibn Ezra and Ramban
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: 2008 | | 37 דקות
How is it possible that Am Yisrael committed the sin of the Golden Calf so soon after receiving the Torah? This shiur presents the opinions of Ibn Ezra and Ramban, who offer answers to this question from two different perspectives. Rabbi Waxman merges these two answers and sheds light on the episode of the sin of the Golden Calf, and on the role of Moshe as both the leader of Am Yisrael and as the intermediary between them and God.
Parshat Vayikra
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 38 דקותHow do we evaluate the purpose of korbanot? By examining the components of the korbanot at first glance, it seems that they can be misunderstood as being a "meal" for Hashem, as though we are "feeding" Him. However, when we closely examine the nature of the korbanot, we understand that they are actually to benefit mankind - they are a way of exercising religious virtues and of building a relationship with Hashem.
Parshat Tzav
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 34 דקותThe section of korbanot in the parshiyot of Vayikra and Tzav seems to interrupt the story of the mishkan. It is placed in between the setting up process of the mishkan at the end of Sefer Shemot, and the miluim - the completion of the mishkan in chapter 8 of Sefer Vayikra. Why does the Torah structure the order this way? By exploring the purpose of the mishkan as a representation of the spiritual experience at Mt. Sinai, we can learn about an individual's direct relationship with Hashem, uninhibited by mediators or objects.
Macharat Hashabbat: Holiness and Time in Sefer Vayikra
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |
What does the phrase "macharat hashabbat" mean? Many commentaries attempt to answer this question, which has important implications regarding the observance date of the holiday of Shavuot. However, by carefully examining the texts in Vayikra, we gain an understanding of the connection between Shavuot and the concept of Shabbat, signifying dependency on Hashem. We also gain deeper insights into the two aspects of meeting with Hashem - both in place and time.
Parshat Shemini
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 36 דקותWhy is the Torah unclear about the cause of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu? What is the reason for God's harsh reaction? How are we to understand the tragic event? Examining the story within its larger context provides answers to these questions, and teaches us about the function of the Kohanim as facilitators of God's presence in the world.
The Finger of God
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 41 דקותHow do we understand the affliction of tzara'at? Why are the laws of tzara'at placed in the middle of Sefer Vayikra? By closely reading the text and noticing parallels in the story of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, we can learn about the uniqueness of tzara'at as a supernatural affliction that comes from God, and the role of the Kohanim in distinguishing between tum'ah and tahara.
The River and the Redeemer
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe Torah tells the story of Moshe's infancy in detail, yet skips his formative years and moves straight to his adulthood stories of rescuing others from injustice. This shiur explores the significance of Moshe’s infancy narrative, emphasizing the textual and symbolic connections between Moshe's Israelite birth mother and his Egyptian adoptive mother (Pharaoh's daughter).
Of Death and Defilement
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy did the Torah place the laws of tum'a and tahara in between the stories of the deaths of the sons of Aharon and the laws of entering the Mishkan? Why do the laws of the metzora directly follow the story of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu? It is possible that the answer to this question lies in the mutual exclusivity of the concepts of holiness and tum'a, and the link between tum'a and death.
The House of Bondage
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanYetziat Mizrayim parallels “Yetziah Sodom” in the time of Lot. Lot had the compassion of Abraham, but tragedy resulted when he could not break out of his “Sedom identity.” The challenge of the doorpost for Pesach Mitzrayim is for Bnei Yisrael — will they trust in God’s command? Can they break with their Egyptian identities and become God’s people?
The Problem of Macharat HaShabbat
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 36 דקותWhat does the term Macharat HaShabbat mean? Many classical commentaries deal with this famous question, which holds practical implications for the counting of the omer and the holiday of Shavuot. By comparing the korban haomer with the episode of the manna in the desert, we can learn about Shabbat and our constant dependency on God.
Between Sabbath and Sanctuary
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThis shiur explores the striking “shabbat” motif in Vayikra's presentation of the Shemitta year (as opposed to the Shemitta laws in other books), in Parshat Behar and in the punishment section in Bechukotai, and reveals how the Seventh Year expands on and fuses together the themes of “holiness of time” and “holiness of space.”
Of Space and Time
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThis shiur explores Sefer Vayikra's unique presentation of the Moadim. One may have thought that the various offerings (korbanot) would be central, but that is not the case. Rather, the Moadim highlight the opportunity to encounter God, which is what Vayikra is really about. Just as the Tent of Meeting is an example of sacred space, the Moadim are about sacred time.
Parshat Pinchas - Of Zealotry and Idolatry
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | | 37 דקות
How are we to evaluate Pinhas’s zealous actions and reconcile Moshe’s concern and God’s reward? How are we to approach zealotry in general? We begin by looking at various explanations of Pinhas’s conduct, and continue on to look at zealotry elsewhere in Tanakh – the story of Eldad and Meidad and Yehoshua’s zealous kin’a for Moshe, and the story of Eliyahu and the aftermath of Mount Carmel. We find a fascinating parallel between that story of Eliyahu, the zealous prophet and the story of Moshe, the anti-zealot, during the aftermath of the Sin of the Golden Calf.
Parshat Devarim - Moshe, the Spies, and the Scouts
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | | 38 דקות
This shiur examines Moshe’s recounting of the spies. Why is this story found here in Devarim? Why does Moshe decide to recount this story now, on the cusp of the people entering Eretz Yisrael? Moshe tells the story as if the sending of spies was the people’s initiative. But how well does this fit with the story in Bemidbar? As we compare and contrast the two accounts, we find clues about the root of the sin and collapse. If people do not have the self-respect and self-confidence allowing them to believe the could conquer the land, their attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. “God helps those who help themselves,” but in the generation of former slaves, even the leaders believed they were nothing. Moshe has to reinforce a different attitude to those about to enter the Land of Israel.
Of Concealed and Revealed
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |Verse 28, the final verse of Chapter 29 in Devarim states that "that which is concealed is for God, and that which is revealed is for us and for our children – to follow the words of the Torah." What is meant by “concealed things”? What are revealed? To untangle this perplexing verse, we examine the wider context in which it appears: The people are gathered to be brought into a “covenant and a curse” before entering the Land of Israel. The curses mentioned within beg for a comparison with the curses to be recited at Mount Eival (Eibal), as well as to the story of Akhan in the Book of Yehoshua. We are then able to uncover fundamental notions of corporate responsibility and partnership in Parashat Nitzavim.
The Curse of Concealed Sins
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy was Yishmael Banished?
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanChametz, Matza and the Altar of God: Between Becoming and Being
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | שעה ו- 8 דקותWhy are chametz, seor (leavened matter), and honey prohibited from being placed on the altar? Using the Literary Theological Method, we explore the symbolism of chametz, matza, and honey throughout the Chumash in order to shed some light on this question, leading us to a deeper understanding of potentiality and actuality, and of the nature of korbanot.
Bringing up the Ark of God - On Failure and Success in Sefer Shmuel
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | |
When Uzza dies after touching the Ark, David postpones the rest of the procession to Jerusalem. Why does David act so severely? What went so wrong in this journey that led to a radical turn from joy to despair?
In this shiur, we discuss the twists and turns in the story of David bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, focusing on the motif of success and failure. We also engage in a comparative analysis of our story in Shmuel Bet with the account in Divrei HaYamim, and with the similar story about the Ark in Shmuel Alef.
After examining the messages that emerge from each narrative, along with various interpretations of commentators as to what prompted the tragedy, we consider what the Ark is meant to symbolize – how it is meant to be viewed: not as a Divine object that will grant us victory, but as a vehicle for a closer relationship with God.
Kayin and Hevel: Structure, Parallel and Drama
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |Through analyzing the story of Kayin and Hevel, we sketch the outlines of three different sub-schools of the literary method of studying Tanakh: structuralist, parallelist, and dramatic-narrative approaches. These methodological approaches help us to delve into the story of Kayin and Hevel, raise questions and offer solutions that allow us to appreciate different facets of the story.
Revealing the Tetragrammaton- The Problem of a New Divine Name
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | שעה ו- 7 דקותWhy does God tell Moshe that He never revealed the Tetragrammaton to our forefathers, when it was in fact revealed to them? How do we resolve this contradiction between Sefer Bereishit and Sefer Shemot? This shiur explores the various answers given by the commentaries, and also utilizes a literary approach of textual parallels in order to answer this question and also learn about the nature of divine promises.
And Now, my Son, Listen to my Voice
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanRivka is often viewed as the heroine in the story of the blessings: she disguises Yaakov as Esav so that her younger son will receive Yitzchak's blessing. The problematic deception, and the ensuing separation, exile, and suffering point to another perspective in the story. Does Rivka's daring plan exemplify the importance of human initiative alongside Divine Providence, or is it a tragic mistake?
Of Angels, Pillars and Brothers
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe end of the Parshat Vayetzeh contains significant motifs that parallel the beginning of the parsha. This structure highlights a contrast between Yaakov at the beginning of the Parsha and the person he becomes at the end. Yaakov’s interaction with Lavan shows him the problematic road which he had been following. By the end of the process, Yaakov separates himself physically and psychologically from Lavan.
"And Yaakov Was Left Alone"
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanYaakov is left alone and struggles with a mysterious figure. Why are they struggling and why does Yaakov insist on receiving a blessing from this stranger? What motivates Yaakov to meet Esav, and why does God insist on this meeting? Blessedness stems from struggles. The struggle, and the meeting with Esav, is a manifestation of Yaakov’s character transformation and of his sincere search for forgiveness.
The Prince and the Prison
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanYosef finds favour while he is a slave in Egypt - in Potiphar’s house, and in jail. The text emphasizes again and again how God is helping Yosef. But if this is so, why does God bring Yosef continually downward? What is the meaning and message of Yosef’s descent?
Of Bags and Brothers
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe brothers’ sacks should contain grain, or cash, but not both. When they find their money (which Yosef had slipped into the sacks) along with the grain in their sacks, they worry. What is Yosef doing? Does he wish to harshly punish, or to kindly provide a way to achieve atonement? Yosef ultimately demonstrates that pursuing morality trumps realizing dreams.
Yehuda's Plea and its Audiences
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanYehuda’s plea to the second-in-command of Egypt is reminiscent of Abraham’s prayer for justice. The tripartite structure of Yehuda’s plea includes appeals to mercy and to justice. But there is a third part which does not seem to belong - a spontaneous outburst about his father. What does this surprising addition reveal?
The Tears of Yosef
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe description of the final days—and deaths—of Yaakov and Yosef share linguistic and symbolic similarities, but these similarities show that many details are missing in the death of Yosef. Why does his death and burial seem to involve less honour? The textual juxtaposition of these stories hints that the reason for the disparity is more than the many intervening decades. There is a message about relationships, family, and the tension between vision vs. destiny.
Shmuel and the House of Eli - Of Fathers, Sons and Sacrifice
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: תשעד | |
What was the major sin of Bnei Eli, and why do some of their sins receive apparently greater emphasis in the text? What is the significance of their abuse of the Kehuna? We examine the structural challenge of Chapter Two in Sefer Shmuel, and attempt to figure out how the "interruptions" about Shmuel and Chana integrate with the rest of the perek. Our study brings us to excerpts from the Books of Devarim and Bereisheet, as our chapter in Sefer Shmuel teaches us about larger themes about Divine Service - and prayer - in general, as well as the more specific messages about parents and children in this chapter: Divine Service is not about taking, but rather about the radical act of giving.
The Covenant at Sinai
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy does the Torah embed the story of the "brit Sinai" within the story of the ascent of Moshe and the leadership? What is the thematic connection of the "brit" to the ascent of Moshe and the leadership onto the mountain and their respective visions and intimate interactions with God? The answer lies in some of the themes elucidated above. The Torah wishes to emphasize that the various forms and aspects of the spiritual quest - religious ecstasy, sacrifices, and ascending to God, on the one hand, and covenantal commitment to the word of God, on the other hand - constitute harmonious rather than conflicting categories. Each is somehow a necessary condition for and result of the other. The Torah knows of no conflict between law and spirituality, between celebrating the divine and seemingly dry legalism, between the encounter with God on a mountaintop and commitment to a code. The two categories fit neatly together in the text and in the experience of Bnei Yisrael. Together they comprise the rationale, purpose and culmination of the redemption from Egypt: a nation and its leaders serving God and celebrating His presence, fully and absolutely committed to His word.
Holy Garments
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanRather than detailing the role and function of the priests in the Mishkan, a topic that briefly surfaces at the very beginning of Parashat Tetzave, the Torah focuses solely on the priests' attire. While outfitting the priests in honorable and beautiful garments is clearly important for the status of the sanctuary and the public perception of the priests, one wonders why the Torah describes the garments in such great detail and at such length. An analysis of the description of the high priest’s clothing allows us to gain a deep understanding into the function of the high priest- as a bridge between God and Israel. As his garments indicate, he serves to elevate Israel and atone for their sins, to repair and maintain the God-Israel relation.
Of Parts and Pieces: The Instructions and Assembly of the Mishkan
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanThe lack of symmetry between the text's portrayal of God's commands pertaining to the Mishkan and Moshe's fulfilment of those commands hints to a message that the Torah seeks to convey about the Mishkan and its relationship to the people and the priests. This shiur explores the symbolism, significance and purpose of the representation of the Mishkan—the Tent of Meeting as a portable Sinai, as portrayed at the end of the book of Exodus.
Leaven, Honey and the Altar of God
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy, for meal offerings, are se’or and devash (grain and honey) forbidden? This shiur looks at explanations of commentators such as Maimonides, and then delves into a literary analysis of unleavened bread in Biblical narrative to demonstrate that unleavened bread symbolizes the moment of leaving Egypt, and the potential process of “becoming,” while leavened bread (and honey) symbolize arrival, or “being,” and why each are appropriate for different types of offerings (korbanot).
Torah and the Kingdom of Priests
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanWhy does our parsha repeat the list of instructions relating to offerings (korbanot) in a very similar way to the one found in Parshat Vayikra? What is the significance of the striking differences between the lists? Examining these similarities and differences highlights the dialectic of worshipping God: the importance of priests performing rituals along with the individual religious quest.
Righteousness and Rescue: Noah, Lot and the Two Stories of the Flood
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: 5777 | | שעה ו- 11 דקות
In this shiur, we will take a critical look at the righteousness of Noah. We will also discuss the way Hazal and the text approach the problems of the generation and the multifaceted narrative of the flood, as we address claims of biblical criticism. An intertextual comparative approach brings us to the story of Lot's rescue from Sodom and the aftermath of that destruction, as we compare and contrast the personalities of Noah, Lot, and Avraham. Is there something from the text that justifies the traditional relativization of Noah's righteousness as compared to Avraham's? What explanation can we offer for Noah's decline after the flood? What does Noah's righteousness consist of, and what is his response to the Divine signal that it is time to rebuild the world?
We discover different - and unequal - models of righteousness: Noah's is about survival and obedience, but Avraham's involves the important element of caring about the world.
The High Priest's Holy Clothes
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 38 דקותWhy does the Torah provide such extensive detail about the priestly garments? This shiur examines the symbolism of the various components of the high priest’s apparel, and explores differences relating to other priests, including the mysterious group at the Revelation at Sinai. What emerges is the purpose of the priests and the task of the High priest to transform his body into a device to atone for the people of Israel.
In memory of Nissan Ben Miriam Marjum Z"l
Vayigash - The Minister of Bread and the Destiny of Yosef
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 38 דקותIn this shiur, we will discuss the speech of Yosef. Normally people look at the beginning of the Parasha - Yehuda’s speech, but this week we examine something a bit less looked-at:Yosef’s response.
A question central tp the claim of Yosef is: to what extent does Yosef truly believe it when he says "It is God who sent you?" Does he just say this as part of a sense of personal destiny, or to make the brothers feel better?
We look at a parallel scene in Vayehi that takes place after Yaakov’s death, and find a chiastic structure relating to the dreams - with a reversal of events that Yosef recognizes in his own life.
Parshat Vayechi - The End of / and Resentment
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 38 דקותWe will talk about the last strange and slightly tragic encounter between Yosef and his brothers. The brothers worry that Yosef will seek revenge, and the language takes us back to Genesis Chapter 27, when Esav resented Yaakov and harbored a grudge against him.
They offer themselves as slaves again. Yosef's reaction is emotional, but it is not the first time Yosef cries - it is the 7th time. We look at the instances of Yosef crying and try to find a message. This is a story of tragedy, reconciliation, alienation, and a tragic twist in the relationship between Yosef and his brothers in the end.
Parashat Shemot - Sneh and Sinai
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותWe will talk about story story of the sneh (the Burning Bush)- the first encounter between God, Moshe, and Bnei Yisrael and the beginning of Moshe’s Divine mission. It is a story of theophany at the sneh, but also the story of the recruitment of Moshe. Why does God choose Moshe? What special aspect of his charater makes him the right person for this mission?
Moshe is the first one to ask this question. Many commentators look to the past (Chapter 2 of Exodus, for example). In this shiur, we will pursue something a bit different. We will look at God’s response toanswer why Moshe is the one, and we will look for the significance of the parallels between the story of the sneh and the story of Bnei Yisrael at Sinai.
Sinai is an expansion- a macrocosm of the event at the sneh.
Parshat Vaera - Redemption, Knowledge, and the Name of the Lord
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותWe will discuss the speech by God in Chapter 6. God tells Moshe that He appeared to the forefathers with a certain name and has heard the cries of Israel. He then gives Moshe instructions of what to say and do.
Did the forefathers not know God's name? What does it mean that it was not "made known to them" - and is it important for it to be "made known" to them or to others?
Parshat Yitro - Of Gold, Silver and the Earthen Altar
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותThe end of Chapter 20 of Exodus mentions that altars are to be earthen. What is wrong with cut stone altars? There is an idea of the meeting of heaven and earth for the earthen altar, but there is also a connection with the prohibition of idols of silver and gold. There are problematic types and mandated types of intermediaries. There is the Golden Calf on the one hand, and the Mishkan and the earthen altar on the other. The tension lies in the question of what Bnei Yisrael will choose.
Parshat Mishpatim - Sacrifices at Sinai
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותAt the end of Parashat Mishpatim is the story of the ascent of Moshe and the elders, who experience some sort of revelation accompanied by eating and drinking. What is the connection between the story of the ecstatic experience of the sacrifices and vision and the frame of the story - the covenant?
There are two aspects of the experience: the covenant is completed by the revelation of the Divine Presence as part of the festival experience.
Parshat Teruma - "And I Will Dwell Amongst Them"
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 32 דקותWe will be looking at a new segment of Shemot about the dedication of objects for the Mishkan. A crucial verse has the message "make a sanctuary and I will Dwell among you." What does the Torah mean by that? A key to dealing with this parasha may be in last week's parasha.
Moshe is commanded by God to ascend the mountain to get the Torah, and is engulfed in a clous for forty days and forty nights. Fire and cloud link the Mishkan and the Sinai experience, creating a continual substantive presence of the relationship between God and Israel.Parshat Ki Tisa - The Breaking of the Luchot
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותWe will discuss the story of the Sin of the Golden Calf.
The description of the tablets inscribed with the Finger of God can offer a clue. What is the
Parshat Lekh Lekha - The Sister-Wife Deception - Was Avraham Justified?
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקותWe examine the story of Avraham’s sojourn in Egypt, focusing on his request of Sarah to say she is his sister. How do we evaluate his behavior -aside from the deception, how do we understand his willingness to give her up to the Egyptians so that he can stay alive beause he is afraid they will kill him?
Is it a sin? is there something else going on? Are there mitigating factors? Should he have gone to Egypt in the first place?
This is not only a story of sin but a story of sin and teshuva-return, reflected in the fact that Avraham is able to raise himself back up when he leaves Egypt. He is somehow able to make it back to Beit El and Ai and call out to God -and this is what makes Avraham so special.
Parshat Vayera - Avimelekh and the Second Sister-Wife Story
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותWe will discuss a story that strikes the reader as very familiar - the "second sister-wife" story, wherein Sarah is takein to the house of Avimelekh, paralleling Avraham’s sojourn in Egypt. The language of the stories is eerily familiar. We will outline the less-obvious connection between the two stories – Divine intervention puts a stop to impending disaster.
What is the point of having these repetitive parallel stories? why does Divine Providence arrange that the same things happen to Avraham over and over? What are we supposed to learn from these repetitions? We compare and contrast the stories and find a striking difference. What can we make of the crucial difference at the ends of the two stories?
We consider the context of the two stories, and look at them again in the light of seeing Avraham's hospitality as a counterweight to Sedom.
Parshat Miketz - A Crisis of Dreams
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 33 דקותWe will be discussing the beginning of Mikketz. Pharaoh’s dreams and their lack of solution is the key to the story. This parasha is the story of the initial lack of solution and the eventual resolution of that crisis. Phaaoh ultimately cedes control to Yosef the Hebrew.
It is not just Yosef who recognizes God, but Pharaoh who recognizes God- which conjures up the idea of Shemot in the reader's mind. This story foreshadows who is really in charge in Egypt - and it is appropriate that it appears here, at the very beginning of the Exodus story.
Parshat Vayeshev - The Birth of Paretz
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותPeople often refer to the "story of Yehuda and Tamar." But perhaps the story should be understood a bit differently: "the story of the trials and travails of Yehuda."
How does this story connect to the larger picture of Chumash at this time? We look at the end of Chapter 38 – the internal difficulty ends with the story of the birth of twins to Tamar. The content and language echoes another story where younger replaces the older: its literary parallel is the story of Yaakov and Esav. But when we look closer, we find another parallel - between Yehuda and Yosef, both of whom have exile stories with challenges of a similar nature, and both of whose descendants become kings of Israel.
Parshat Vaetchanan - The Punishment of Moshe (As Told by Moshe)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותWe will be looking at Moshe’s account of his own sin. It begins as a relatively standard speech of Moshe in Devarim about doing mitzvot in the Promised Land. But then
we encounter a surprise- Moshe says "God became angry at me on your behalf- and said hat I would not cross Jordan into the Land." Is he really assigning blame to the people? Why would he do something that seems so strange? When we examine the story of Mei Meriva in Bemidbar, we are further perplexed- how can he blame the people? What is the function and purpose in Devarim for doing so?
A historical mizmor in Tehillim sheds some light on what is happening. Moshe gives reproof for the sins of Bnei Yisrael. The purpose is to say"look at what we have lost!" to deter them from sinning in the future, and so that they will better appreciate what the stakes are.
Parshat Balak - The Book of Bilam
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותWe look at Parashat Balak, and find a stormy relationship between Balak and Bilam. Something strange going on-- why have we jumped away from the main story of Bemidbar to a strange self-contained story- the “Book of Bilam”? Why does it appear in the Torah -what is the connection to the rest of Bemidbar?
Bilam's hubris - his grand claims and arrogance followed by the demonstration that he does not see as much as his own donkey, turns into a commentary on the character of someone else: Moshe. Bilam is a foil for Moshe's prophecy and humility.
Parshat Behaalotecha - Moshe's Crisis
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותIn this shiur, we examine a conversation surrounding Kivrot HaTaava – Moshe’s dialogue of crisis with God. Why Is moshe in crisis? Are Bnei Yisrael demonstrating a rejection of Sinai and the spiritual message of the manna? We find the leitmotifs of "flesh and spirit" both here and in Parashat Noah, and it is not a good thing. And is Moshe really questioning God's ability to feed the voluminous nation? What is really going on?
Parshat Naso - The Nazir and the Book of Bamidbar
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 38 דקותWe will be looking at the Nazirite vow. Crucial to our investigation is the context – what is this voluntary vow doing here, when the Kohen is at the centerpiece of most of the other chapters of Parashat Nasso? And why is the Nazir commanded to bring a sin offering at the end of his Nazir period? What sin has he committed?
We note parallels between the Nazir status and the Kohen Gadol, and contrast the intrinsic holiness of the Kohen with the voluntary holiness of the Nazir. In the optional Nazirite vow is a solution to any misconception about Bnei Yisrael being stuck outside, away from the holiness of the Mishkan. Through the nazirite vow, holiness is accessible to all of Bnei Yisrael , even as Bemidbar describes a social, political, and religious hierarchy.
Parashat Naso emphasizes the unique holiness of every member of Bnei Yisrael, correcting any misconception to the contrary. It reminds us that everyone can achieve a status equivalent to the Kohen Gadol.
Parshat Bemidbar - Of Counting and Consequences
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותParashat Bemidbar begins with a census. We will be discussing the topic of counting in this shiur. What is the purpose of counting and how is it done?
We compare with Parashat Ki Tisa (Shekalim) and ask: why is it that counting can lead to a plague? Why is it that kofer – machazit hashekel can fix this problem?
Parashat Shemini - The Eighth Day and the Golden Calf
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקותParashat Shemini contains the death of Nadav and Avihu. The standard question asks: why do they die? But we want to look at the context of story. What is going on on the eighth day? Why is there no mention of the eighth day in Shemot? What is the connection between deaths and eighth days? Is this eighth day a special command to atone for the Golden Calf, and are the deaths connected to the sin of the Golden Calf? How does each story inform the other?
Vayakhel, Teruma, and the Giving Heart
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 33 דקותIn this shiur, we will focus on a problem in the first half of the parasha, about the instructions for constructing the mishkan. A passage about giving materials to the Mishkan and other features are almost identical to Parashat Teruma. We willlook at some parallels in Teruma and find interesting contrasts between Teruma and Vayakhel. What is the nature of the "giving heart"?
The Song of Haazinu
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanthe identity of the Song of Ha'azinu as a "witness" raises a series of interrelated questions. First and foremost we may duly wonder regarding the content and purpose of the testimony. To what does Shirat Ha'azinu testify, and for what purpose? Second, in an unexpected twist, the witness identity of the poem imparts a new flavor to the written text of the Torah. It defines a new identity, or additional identity, to the Torah itself. In both the textual-technical and essential-philosophical senses, without Ha'azinu and its unique identity, the Torah is partial and unfinished. But in what sense do the Song of Ha'azinu and its witness function complete the Torah? In what sense does it bring the Torah and its teaching "ad tumam – until their end"? Through a close analysis of the theme of testimony throughout Sefer Devarim and the song of Haazinu, we understand the ultimate purpose of the "eidut," the testimony or testament of Shirat Ha'azinu. Placed alongside the ark it testifies to the eternal covenantal relationship between God and Israel, one originating in the distant past and destined to continue on forever. On some level, without the message of Shirat Ha'azinu, the Torah is not yet complete. Shirat Ha'azinu reminds us that in fact, on some level, the entire Torah is but the story of the covenantal relationship of God and Israel, originating in the past and destined to continue on until the end of days.
For God is Not a Man- On Bil'am, Blessing and Betrayal
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | שעה ו- 7 דקותWhat is the purpose of Parshat Balak? It doesn’t seem to fit within the context of Sefer Bamidbar and with the general theme of the Torah. Through an analysis of the parallels between the characters of Bilam and Avraham we can understand the purpose of the story and its deeper messages.
Righteousness and Rescue: Noah, Lot and the Two Stories of the Flood
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: 2022 | | שעה ו- 5 דקות
In this lecture, we will attempt to provide a new perspective on the classic question of the “righteousness” of Noah. Together we will make a careful comparison of the central characters and motifs of both the flood narrative and the story of the destruction of Sedom. Diving into the different missions Noach received from God, and whether or not he was successful.
Revealing the Tetragrammaton: The Problem of a New Divine Name
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: 2023 | | שעה ו- 5 דקות
The lecture begins in discussing the sixth chapter of Sefer Shemot and explores the revelation of God's proper name to Moshe throughout the sefer. The shiur attempts to demonstrate how current literary methodology can contribute to the resolution of the problem of a new Divine Name. In addition, the shiur attempts to provide insight into the meaning of "knowing God" and to generate a coherent reading of the first six chapters of Shemot.