Comparing Different Biblical Accounts

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Torah and the Kingdom of Priests [audio]
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 22 minutes
Why 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.
Of Spy Stories and Heroic Measures (Audio)
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 minutes
The 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 Long and Winding Road
Rabbi Yair Kahn | 13 minutes
At first glance, Parshat Mas'ei appears to contain a summary of Bemidbar in list form. But it is not merely a summary or list. Rather, it is a narrative about nationhood, which we discover through analyzing the structure and apparent internal inconsistencies of our parsha.
The Sin of the Spies, the Sin of the Nation and Moshe's Punishment
Rabbi Amnon Bazak | 12 minutes
Devarim, a speech to the nation from Moshe's perspective, is different in style than the rest of the Torah. Discrepancies between the story of the Sin of the Spies as presented in Bemidbar and Moshe's re-telling of the events in Parshat Devarim reveal a message specific to the generation entering the Land: They learn about themselves, as well as about the consequences to their leader and the generation that wandered the desert.
The Oral Law and the Two Versions of the Ten Commandments (Audio)
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau | 10 minutes
The Ten Commandments in Devarim are slightly different from their presentation in Shemot. Which version was given out loud, and which appeared on the tablets? Different approaches are examined, each with fascinating ideas pertaining to revelation, prophecy, and the connection between the written and the Oral Law.
Eved Ivri: Two Approaches
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 12 minutes
This shiur compares and contrasts the presentation of the rules of the Hebrew slave (eved ivri) here and elsewhere in the Torah. What accounts for the differences, and why are they placed where they are? One appears to be from the vantage point of the employer, and one focuses more on the perspective of the slave.
Military and Political Spying
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 10 minutes
The "sending of the spies" story in parashat Shelach is often compared with the account in Devarim. This shiur, however, focuses on a different comparison of spy stories: between the sending of spies by Moshe here in parashat Shelach and the sending of spies by Yehoshua after Moshe's death. This comparison illuminates the purposes of each mission and the significance of the differences between the two.
The Sin of Moshe and Aaron (Audio)
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 16 minutes
What was the sin of Moshe and Aaron at Mei Meriva? This shiur compares our parasha with the similar story from the first year journey. Different explanations of the sin are examined, ultimately focusing on the mindset of Bnei Yisrael and the question confounding the nation: Who is truly leading them?
The Mussaf Sacrifices (audio)
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 11 minutes
As we look closely at the different presentations of the holy days mentioned in this parsha and in “parashat ha-Moadot” in Vayikra, it emerges that there are two basic groups of holidays, each with a major unifying theme. The “regel” days mark major formation events of the Jewish people and express gratitude. The “Tishrei” individual holidays are about standing before God to request assistance, as a community of individuals.
The Inadvertent Murderer and the Cities of Refuge (Audio)
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 15 minutes
Why are the laws of the “cities of refuge” brought here, when they seemingly belong in Parashat Misphatim? This shiur compares the laws of Arei Miklat in vaYikra with the presentation in Sefer Devarim. While Devarim emphasizes the protection provided by the cities, our parasha relates to the land, and reveals a dimension of exile and punishment for the accidental killer.
The Differences Between Devarim and Earlier Accounts (audio)
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 14 minutes
Devarim includes a myriad of stories that are variations of earlier biblical accounts. This shiur explores the phenomenon of repeated stories. At times the two stories do not contradict each other, but leave out significant information that appears in the other version of the story. We can infer messages and arrive at a greater understanding of the whole story.
The Ten Dibrot (audio)
Prof. Jonathan Grossman | 13 minutes
This shiur compares the Ten Commandments as they appear in Devarim with their form in Sefer Shemot. Most significantly, there appears to be an entirely different explanation for the commandment of Shabbat. Is Moshe in his "repetition" deviating from the original commandments from the Revelation at Sinai? Why is he quoting from parashat Mishpatim instead of from parashat Yitro? What is the purpose of the disparity between Shemot and Devarim?
Dedicating the Mishkan
Rabbi Alex Israel | 36 minutes
Pekudei is the finale of Sefer Shemot, and the previous parshiyyot dealing with the mishkan arrive at a crescendo in our parasha, which describes the setting up of the mishkan. Comparing this story of “Hakamat Ha-Mishkan”—the dedication of the Mishkan with the other accounts in Vayikra and Bemidbar, we appreciate the unique nature of the one here in Sefer Shemot.
Beshallah: The Complaints Begin
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau | 40 minutes
Our parasha is the one in which the complaints of the Israelites in the desert begin. With the help of classical commentaries, we will explore the nature of the complaints in this parasha and the reaction of Moshe in light of similar stories elsewhere in the Torah.
Yoash's Reversal
Rabbi Alex Israel
Melakhim describes Yoash as a good king. A different story is described in great detail in Divrei Hayamim. After Yehoyada's death, Yoash abandons the guidance of the Kohanim, turns to idolatry and murders the prophet Zekharya in the courtyard of the Beit HaMikdash - the son of the man who saved him and made him king. Just as he betrays, his servants betray him and kill him after he is injured in a battle against Hazael - King of Aram who despite being outnumbered defeats Yoash and walks away with great spoils. Different theories are suggested as how to reconcile the two accounts but it remains unclear why this episode is hardly even alluded to in Melakhim.
Sefer Devarim: The Beginning of the Oral Law
Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
This shiur will give us insight into the Mesorah and the way we think about Halakha. Sources from Rav Tzadok of Lublin and the Netziv which are not usually taught will help us understand very difficult questions that arise in Tanakh, about various commandments that contradict one another. We explore how we view our relationship, and the Written Torah’s relationship with the Oral Torah, and we find an evolution of the Oral Torah throughout Tanakh.
Parshat Devarim - Moses' Speech
Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes
Sefer Devarim contains a series of speeches by Moshe Rabbeinu. The first few chapters seem to comprise an introduction to the second, significantly longer speech. Why do we need this introduction, and why does its historical account contain major gaps, leaving out the ten plagues and the splitting of the Red Sea? The first three chapters are meant to lead to a conclusion. The ten plagues are irrelevant to this speech’s purpose, which is not to highlight miracles or wonders, but to emphasize the secret to succeeding in the future: Bnei Yisrael need to turn to God and follow God’s law instead of believing that they themselves are the sole architects of their own success.
Atonement in Sefer Vayikra and in Sefer Devarim
Rabbi Amnon Bazak | 12 minutes
What is at the heart of the differences in perspective on the sacrificial offerings between Sefer Vayikra and Sefer Devarim, and what can this teach us about two distinct types of sanctity that the Torah presents?
Yov and Yashuv
Rabbi David Silverberg
Parshat Ki Tavo - Pledge of Allegiance
Rabbi Alex Israel | 33 minutes
This shiur focuses on the description of the covenantal Ceremony of the Stones. It bears a striking resemblance to the covenantal ceremony at Sinai which took place the day after the Revelation at Sinai. What is the reason for the strong overlap? The ceremony occurs at an auspicious juncture as the People of Israel take a bold step- to become a nation with a land. The covenantal ceremony- creating a triangle between the Nation, the Land, and God, mediated through the Torah - is meant to naturally continue the values of Sinai in Israel.
Torah and the Kingdom of Priests
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman
Why 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.
Beha'alotekha and Beshallach - Complaining about Meat
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 16 minutes
Parashat Behaalotekha seems to parallel Parashat Beshallach. Bnei Yisrael complain that they want meat. In both instances, we can see that despite the fact that they are asking for something legitimate, Bnei Yisrael are chastised for the way they formulate their response.

Studying this parasha can help us put proportion into our eating. There are lessons about the place of food in our lifestyle, and putting things into proper perspective: beyond sustenance, how important should food be?
Descriptions of War in Devarim vs. Bemidbar
Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen
Chayei Sarah: More than a Story
Rabbi Jay Kelman