Amos

Found 24 Search results

1. Do Two Walk Together if They had Not First Convened

   Rabbi David Silverberg

2. Amos: The Social Justice Prophet

   Rabbi Hayyim Angel | Hour and 1 minutes

   Who is Amos? What is so unique about his prophetic message? Through a close examination of the central theme of Amos' prophecy, and comparing it to that of Hoshea and some of the other major prophets, we notice that Amos was almost exclusively concerned with social justice among all humans, as opposed to Am Yisrael’s idol worship, which is the central theme of many other prophets’ messages. Amos’ prophecy is tied to the idea that the fate of Am Yisrael, on a national level, is tied to their morality and interpersonal behavior.

3. The Prophecies of Amos: Introduction

   Shiur #02

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   This chapter will present the historic background of Amos’s prophecies, along with a brief biographic sketch of the prophet. We will then look at the opening lines of his prophecy and assay its role within his oratory.

   The dating scheme at the beginning of Amos and the others among the "four synchronous prophets" is not merely a device for identifying when the prophet operates. It also tells us something about the content of each mission. The strange reference to King Yeravam of Israel (in addition to four kings of Judah) in the title verse may serve to foreshadow the confrontation between king and prophet that will define Amos’s agency.

    

4. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations

   Shiur #03

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   תאריך פרסום: 5778 |

   In this chapter, we will introduce Amos’s famous prophecies against the surrounding nations, which make up the first twenty verses and comprise a “set-up” for his prime audience in Shomeron. Amos delivers oracles against Aram, Peleshet, Tzor, Edom, Ammon and Moav, then Yehuda before zeroing in on Yisrael.  Why does Amos deliver prophecies foretelling punishment specifically to these nations? Why does he not mention Assyria or Egypt, two major (and threatening) superpowers? What is his prophetic purpose, and what is the nature of these "prophecies to the nations?" 

   Looking at the map, we see that as the people of Israel hear the prophecies of doom for their enemies, they feel some relief. And then they realize that they are being entrapped instead of protected, and destruction is looming closer and closer. 

5. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations(Continued)

   Shiur #05

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   תאריך פרסום: 5778 |

   In this lesson, we will analyze the rhetorical style of the Oracles to the Nations at the beginning of Amos, specifically the opening formula of each. Each of the oracles follows a common pattern – a pattern which is then greatly expanded in the final, culminating oracle against Yisrael. We will analyze the use of the "messenger formula" ("koh amar"  - "thus says") here and elsewhere in Tanakh, and the theological and political tension carried with it.  We will then look at the meaning of the "three and four" formula and the rhetorical twist used for the final verse.  

6. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

   Shiur #06

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   תאריך פרסום: 5778 |

   Aram, the first nation “addressed” by Amos, will be the focus of this shiur.  Aram’s mention at the top of the list is due partially to Aram’s position as the most frequent enemy Yisrael faces during this period.

   A brief background sketch of Aram and the role it plays in regional warfare will give us a broader understanding of the specifics of the oracle. This includes the pesha that seals Aram’s fate (and the meaning of "pesha" here) as well as the nature of that fated punishment. 

7. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

   07

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   תאריך פרסום: 5778 |

   In this shiur, we will continue our study of Amos’s oracles against the nations. Last week, we surveyed the history of Aram in order to put the crime of which they are accused and the punishment designated for them into context. We will do much the same with the oracles against Philistia (“Peleshet”) and Phoenicia (“Tzor”). The rationale for studying these two together goes beyond convenience
   and their juxtaposition in the text. It may well be that these two coastal nations – the only two to be accused of the crime of handing over war refugees – have more in common than alphabetical proximity.

8. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

   Shiur #08

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   In this lecture, we will continue our study of Amos’s oracles against the nations. In the previous chapter, we surveyed the histories of the coastal “interlopers,” the Phoenicians and the Philistines, in order to put their crimes and punishments in context. In this lecture, we will do the same with the oracle against Edom. The rationale for isolating Edom is its rich background vis-à-vis Israel, with which we will begin our survey. In addition, this oracle completes the first cycle of “long-long-short-short” speeches in Amos. Next week, we will turn to Ammon and Moav. 

9. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

   Shiur #09

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   In this lecture, we will continue our study of Amos’ oracles against the nations. In the previous chapter, we surveyed the history of Eisav/ Edom until the end of the First Commonwealth. We looked at the background of Edomite-Israelite relations in order to put into context their indictment and their punishment. In this lecture, we will do the same with the oracles against Ammon and Moav. From a literary perspective, it may be tough to defend grouping these two oracles together, as one echoes Edom’s brutal desires while the other focuses on explicit brutality towards another royal house. Their both having “long” punishment formulae might be sufficient reason to address them in one lecture, but we have more than that to rely on to justify it. 

10. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (Cont.)

    Shiur #04

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    In this lesson, we will analyze the rhetorical style of these prophecies, specifically the opening formula of each. In the next lecture, we will study the overall pattern of the oracles and identify the underlying message of this pattern. In the following lectures, we will study the substance of the first seven of these oracles and then we will, in the final lecture of this series, complete our study of this section, analyzing the final oracle in the section – the prophecy against Yisrael.

     

    Each of the oracles follows a common pattern – a pattern which is then greatly expanded in the final, culminating oracle against Yisrael.

     

11. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #10

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    As we prepare to consider the final oracle of Amos, against Israel, we take a moment to consider the structure of the preceding oracles. Where does the indictment of Yehuda fit in, and how can the theory of chiasmus help us understand biblical passages?

12. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #11

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    Having considered the seven oracles with which Amos opens his book, we now turn to the rousing conclusion: the oracle against Samaria. What does its structure mean, and how does the seer from Tekoa once again shock his audience?

13. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #12

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    As we consider the oracle of Amos against Israel, we puzzle over the first charge of the indictment: selling the innocent for silver and the poor for shoes. What crime does this refer to, what is its meaning in the Ancient Near East, and why does the Midrash associate it with the sale of Yosef?

14. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #13

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    As we examine the final charges of the indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, we consider the unique language Amos employs. Is idolatry, incest or injustice at the core of Samaria's crimes?

15. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #14

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    In this shiur, we will continue our study of Amos’s ultimate prophecy in this series of oracles against the nations. In the previous chapter, we concluded our analysis of the seven crimes of which Yisrael stand accused. We will now move on to the surprising segment of the oracle, which is unmatched in any of the previous seven (set-up) prophecies: the recitation of kindnesses, an almost liturgical presentation of God’s beneficence towards Yisrael in the conquest of the Land, several centuries earlier.

16. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #15

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    Amos in his oracle to Israel refers to the Amorites as trees. What is the significance of this simile? Why is this people, among the seven nations of Canaan, singled out?

17. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #16

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    When Amos invokes the Exodus and Wilderness narratives, what does he have in mind? Which other Later Prophets invoke these powerful historical events, and for what purposes?

18. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #17

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    What role does the Exodus play for the Latter Prophets? Why is it so rarely invoked in the waning days of the First Temple, and what can this tell us about Amos's use of it in the oracle against the Northern Kingdom of Israel?

19. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #18

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    As we continue to look at the hymn of praise in the oracle against Israel, we wonder: What does this tell us about the purpose of the Exodus? When does the Exodus from Egypt reach its conclusion?

20. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #19

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    In this shiur, we examine a single verse from Amos's oracle to Israel, which talks about the nevi'im and nezirim God raised up. Who are these prophets and Nazirites, and what is the role of each in a Jewish society?

21. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #20

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    Before Amos launches into the devastating punishment awaiting the Kingdom of Israel, we find a verse of ambiguous meaning. In this shiur, we strive to understand if the prophet is meant as reprise or foreshadowing--or perhaps both!

     

22. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles Against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #21

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    After criticizing six foreign nations and Judea, Amos declares his oracle about Israel. What form does the punishment take, and why? Moreover, what is the significance of the unique simile used by the prophet to describe God's attitude towards his people?

23. A Man, His Father and a Maiden - Amos' Oracle Against Israel

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom | Hour and 5 minutes

    Commentators have puzzled over – and disputed the meaning of – the central line in Amos’ chastisement of the northern kingdom: “A man and his father go to the (same) maiden, in order to profane My name” (Amos 2:7). In this shiur, we survey the several broad directions taken by commentators to unravel this mystery. We then take a step back to view Amos' oracle from a panoramic perspective; by doing so, we raise a novel suggestion which helps resolve the numerous difficulties inherent in the text. This resolution also helps us gain a deeper understanding into the context and purpose of Amos' oracle against the north.

    Click here for a downloadable audio version of this lecture

24. Sefer Amos: Archaeology

    Nachliel Selavan | 16 minutes

    Amos is the third of the “twelve prophets” or תרי עשר, which span a period of over 300 years. Chronologically, however, he is the earliest.

    Amos is a Prophet from Yehuda who warnes the kingdom of Yisrael about the coming of destruction by the hands of Assyria, should they not change their corrupt ways.

     

    Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.