Rabbi Daniel Wolf
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Tum'a - Metaphysical Pollution or Halachic Construct
Rabbi Daniel Wolfתאריך פרסום: תשע"ד | |
Is the state of “Tum’a” merely a post-Sinaitic halakhic construct, or is it something else, something that existed earlier? We focus on the passage of Yaakov’s instructions to purify the camp after his sons’ revenge on Shechem (in the book of Bereisheet), as well as the “three days” before the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the commandment about the Parah Aduma (Red Heifer), to better understand the concepts of Tum’a and Tahara. Statements of Haza”l, various midrashic literature, commentary, Targum, the Kuzari, and other Jewish sources aid us in our analysis of the Biblical passages and in our quest to define and understand Tum’a and Tahara.
Urim and Tumim- What is their Significance?
Rabbi Daniel Wolfתאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
In this shiur, we take a closer look at the mysterious Urim ve-Tumim. What are they? Why do they have a double name? What is their purpose? Strangely, it appears that there is no explicit command to make them, yet their presence is assumed by the Torah, and they seem to play a significant role when leaders call for the kohanim to advise them about decisions to make.
The Eternal Curse of Eli the Kohen Gadol of Shiloh
Rabbi Daniel Wolfתאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | | 51 minutes
Eli, the Kohen Gadol who accuses Channah of drunkenness in the sanctuary and, after realizing his mistake, blesses her – is later told in two different, lengthy accounts that he and his line will be cursed. Why is Eli punished so severely by God – with a curse that seems unprecedented?
We examine the difficulties that come up in the narrative about Eli and, with assistance from a salient reference in the Book of Yirmiyahu, discover that Eli’s erroneous philosophy is the belief in an immoral, capricious god whose sole desire is to be satiated with sacrificial meat. Unlike Shmuel and Channah, who see sacrifices as symbolic and to be accompanied by tefilla and teshuva, Eli and his sons believe that sacrifices are real acts and are given to appease God.
The Tanakh’s emphasis on the curse sends a message telling us how worship of God is meant to be carried out; that God does want us to carry out rituals, but ritual is meant to be imbibed with devotion, kedusha and morality.
Burials of Yaakov and Yosef: Pharonic or Abrahamic Rites
Rabbi Daniel Wolfתאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | |
In this shiur, we examine the burial processes of Yosef and Yaakov. Why were they embalmed? Was Yosef wrong to have his father embalmed? Was this Egyptian inspiration or was it for the service of God?
Being in Egypt, embalming was required, but there were certain significant differences in how the embalming was carried out. The goal of embalming and burial is different, and the burial stories of Yaakov and Yosef work as bookends to send a message about the connection to the Promised Land and about the service of God.
What are Lavan's Terafim and Why did Rachel Steal Them?
Rabbi Daniel Wolfתאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour
There is an interesting side story in the midst of Yaakov's flight from Lavan's household. Rachel steals her father's terafim, and Lavan accuses Yaakov. Yaakov unwittingly curses the thief, and Rachel dies. Why did Rachel steal them? What are the terafim? We look at different places in Tanakh where terafim are mentioned, and consider different opinions regarding their purpose: are terafim used as an idol worship device, or as a divination tool?
As we trace the terafim and the motivations of those who use them, we notice patterns that crop up. What emerges is a message about deceit: though on some occasions it may be necessary, deceit has a price - sometimes a steep one.