Dr. Mordechai Sabato
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The Female Captive: What is the Torah Teaching Us?
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe laws of a female captive are discussed in conclusion of the laws of warfare. Which messages is the Torah attempting to convey in these laws?
The Opening Verses of Sefer Devarim, and the Structure of the Sefer as a Whole
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe Torah introduces Sefer Devarim by informing the reader that we are about to read Moshe's words as addressed to the nation of Israel in the land of Mo'av, close to the end of The Fortieth Year. No such introduction exists for any other Sefer, and this is an indication of the uniqueness of Sefer Devarim. The great majority of Devarim consists of a record of the speeches that Moshe delivers at the end of the desert journeying. Sefer Devarim includes almost no narration of events that happened to the nation or direct Divine commands. In this sense it is different from the other four Books of the Torah. This shiur will attempt to address the significance of these introductory verses and their connection to the structure and content of Sefer Devarim.
Differences between the First and Second appearances of the "Ten Commandments"
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe main component of Sefer Devarim is the "commandments speech," which begins in chapter 5 and concludes at the end of chapter 26. At the outset, Moshe repeats the Ten Commandments. This shiur reviews the differences between the Ten Commandments as recorded in Sefer Shemot and as recorded in Sefer Devarim, and explores their significance.
By What Right Does Israel Inherit the Land?
Dr. Mordechai SabatoParashat Eikev represents a in between the two parts of the commandments speech, with Va-etchanan on one side, and Re'eh through Ki-Tavo on the other. In our parasha, Moshe halts his list of commandments and discusses some other subjects. One of them (chapter 9) is the question: by what right does Israel inherit the land? The importance of this question is apparent in the style of the introduction to the chapter: "Hear, Israel." This expression occurs in four other places in the Sefer, each time as the introduction to a subject of major importance. This shiur will examine the structure and significance of this chapter.
The Prohibitions of "Ashera" and "Matzeva"
Dr. Mordechai SabatoWhat is the significance of the prohibitions to create an Ashera and a Matzeva? Why was the Matzeva permissible in the era of the forefathers, but prohibited when the nation entered the Promised Land?
"And God Shall Return You to Egypt in Boats"
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThis lesson focuses on the verse that completes the list of curses in Parashat Ki Tavo: "And God shall return you to Egypt in boats on the way that I told you that you shall never see again, and you shall be sold there to your enemies but there will be no purchaser." (28:68). We will explore the unique significance if this unusual verse.
Punishment of the Individual and of the Nation
Parashat Nitzavim
Dr. Mordechai SabatoParashat Ki Tavo describes kelalot - the curses – from a public perspective; the unique innovation of Parashat Nitzavim is that the curse can also relate to the individual, the family, and the tribe. The Torah therefore emphasizes that he covenant relates to and includes each and every individual, in any status and from any time. This emphasis negates the ability to escape both the covenant and the curse.
"For the Lord's Portion is His People"
Dr. Mordechai SabatoShirat Ha'azinu (the poem in Parashat Ha'azinu) is unique among all sections of the Torah, in that Moshe received an explicit command to write it and teach it to Bnei Yisrael. The shira will thereby be eternalized both in written form as well as orally - in the mouths of Bnei Yisrael. To this we must add God's explicit promise that the shira will never be forgotten from the nation. These details reflect the importance the Almighty afforded the shira. This article discusses the shira's function and its primary contents, in an attempt to explain its unique significance.
Ha'azinu
Dr. Mordechai SabatoHa'azinu is "shira," a song. Unlike the other songs in the Torah, which fulfill a historical purpose - the Jews really did sing a song of rejoicing after the splitting of the sea, Ha'azinu is a "song on demand" - God told Moshe to compose the song. What is the meaning of a "song" in the context of Moshe's farewell speeches to the Jewish people? And why are they told to sing?
The Birth of a Nation: The Framing Statements of Moshe's Blessing
Dr. Mordechai SabatoIn this parasha, Moshe blesses the nation before his death. In his blessing, Moshe addresses each of the tribes (with the exception of Shimon). In this sense, Moshe's blessing resembles the blessings that Yaakov bestowed upon his sons before his passing. The similarity between Moshe's blessings and those of Yaakov is easily discernible in several of their details, as well. This article explores the differences between the two blessings.
The Structure and Significance of the Opening Verses
Dr. Mordechai SabatoParshat Re’eh opens the Covenant of Arvot Mo’av, which is concluded with blessings and curses. Brit of Arvot Mo’av – a collection of statutes and judgements - is a completion of the Ten Commandments in Horev. The observance of mitzvot entails a blessing and a curse, and the blessing and the curse are part of the conditions of the land.
Introduction to Sefer Vayikra
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe book of Vayikra opens with a discussion of thee voluntary sacrifices - olah, mincha, and shelamim. By closely examining the message of these sacrifices, we can see how the three different voluntary sacrifices express all the basic emotions felt by an individual standing before his Creator.
Parshat Tzav
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe sacrifices are listed both in Parshat Vayikra, and again in Parshat Tzav - but in a different order. Why? When we closely examine the wording of the two parshiyot, It seems that Parashat Tzav presents a fundamentally different perspective on korbanot from that of Parashat Vayikra. Vayikra offers the individual the opportunity to offer a sacrifice, while Parashat Tzav opens with the constant flame on the altar and the regular daily sacrifice, which express the altar's serving as a representation of the presence of the Shekhina. Therefore, the Torah teaches that the institution of sacrifices is more than just an opportunity offered to the people; it constitutes an essential part of the Mishkan, expressing the constant residence of the Shekhina among the Jewish people.
Returning to Egypt by Ship
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe Night at the Threshing Floor: Uncovering the Motives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe unique quality of Megillat Ruth stems from the fact that the problem arising from Ruth's remarkable loyalty to Naomi was overcome by Boaz's extraordinary strength. Boaz understood that he must not allow Ruth's kindness towards Naomi to fade into the dark of night at the threshing floor. In a rare demonstration of profound understanding of the soul of another, Boaz recognized the purity of Ruth's motives, and thus blessed her, rather than cursing her.
Why did Naomi send Ruth to the threshing floor in a way that could negatively reflect on Ruth, herself, and Boaz? What were Naomi's motives and objectives, and does the Tanakh approve of Naomi's plan? We compare Megillat Ruth's challenges and tests of character with other stories in Tanakh to appreciate the pivotal moment of the Megilla.
Translated by David Silverberg
"He Makes Nations Great and Destroys Them" – The Turning Point of the Megilla
Dr. Mordechai SabatoUpon examination of the book of Esther, we find that only after we have finished reading the entire book can we retroactively appreciate the significance of all the events it relates. Only after we have seen the picture in its entirety, from the third year of King Achashverosh to the twelfth year of his reign, do the many details join together to form a whole mosaic. Only then do we understand the contribution of each and every detail to the final miracle.