The Firstborn

Found 7 Search results

1. "At That Time Hashem Distinguished the Tribe of Levi"

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   The selection of the Leviim includes two aspects: Secondary assistance to the primary servers of God – the Kohanim - and primary servers of God on the basis of their actions at the sin of the Golden Calf. The second aspect is prominent in the description of the Leviim in the Book of Devarim, despite the fact that it has no practical implication.

2. Peshat and Midrash Halakha

   Part 6 - Contradictions between Different Parshiot

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Chazal interpret even the verses in Shemot and in Devarim, which speak of the Hebrew slave serving "forever," as meaning "until the Jubilee." This is not meant as an interpretation of the word "forever" (olam), but rather as an interpretation of the parshiot in the Torah as a whole which deal with the topic, each of which expresses an independent value or ideal, and which together must be synthesized into a single coherent instruction on the practical halakhic level. This can be viewed as a model for many instances of contradiction between peshat and midrash halakha.

3. The Oath

   Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

   Nechemia chapter 10, perhaps the climax of the nation’s renewed commitment to Torah, summarizes the binding oath accepted by the community.

   In many instances, the oath seems to supersede the obligations that are set forth explicitly in the Torah. The commentators struggle with a fundamental question: to what extent was the oath a renewed commitment to the ancient laws of the Torah, albeit with some novel interpretations, and to what extent are these new, proto-Rabbinic laws? As we have seen, it is most likely that our chapter presents a mix of the two views. On any view, our chapter – and, indeed, the entire period of Shivat Tzion – exemplifies a careful balance between commitment to tradition and an understanding that specific commandments require additional emphasis or even innovation at particular moments in history.

4. R. Avraham ibn Ezra

   Part 3

   Dr. Avigail Rock

   Ibn Ezra believes that it is inconceivable for the Sages’ halakhic tradition to contradict the peshat of the verses. On this point, he argues with the Rashbam, who goes as far as to explain the halakhic verses against the tradition of the Sages. As we have explained in the previous lessons, Ibn Ezra supports the view of philological pashtanut and exerts great effort to explain the verses in accordance with the rules of grammar and topical logic. However, when there is a contradiction between the peshat and the Sages’ tradition in Halakha, ibn Ezra pushes the simple meaning of the words so that it will fit with the Sages’ view, while striving to have it dovetail with the rules of grammar and language.

   Despite these words of Ibn Ezra expressing the unquestionable authority of the Sages in Halakha, many times ibn Ezra veers in his interpretation from the interpretation of the halakhic ruling.

   ·       It may be that ignorance of the halakhic ruling – due to poverty and wandering - is what causes him to interpret verses differently than the Sages.

   ·       Alternatively, while the ibn Ezra sees himself as bound by the Sages’ legal authority, the Sages themselves do not believe that this is the verse’s intent, but they tie the law to the verse.

   While ibn Ezra had a profoundly negative view of the Karaites, it is important to note that he does not hesitate to cite their interpretations if he believes they are correct. According to his view, the truth of the Oral Torah may be established not only by finding its laws in the verses of Written Torah, but by confronting the reality of the absence of many laws in the Written Torah. These exigent rules are only found in the Oral Torah, and without their existence there is no significance at all to the laws of the Written Torah.

   Ibn Ezra was aware of Rashi’s status in France. Therefore, in his commentary to the Torah, ibn Ezra keeps his silence despite the fact that he disagreed with him.

   Ibn Ezra conceals issue in his commentary; he embraces the phenomenon of "sod" with regard to deep concepts, issues regarding the authorship of Torah and sins of great Biblical figures.

5. Ki Teitzei: The Hated Wife

   Rabbi David Fohrman |

   In this video, we discuss the Torah's laws about a man with two wives, one who he loves, and one who he hates. Rabbi Fohrman suggests that this legal section of text is a hint to the story of Jacob and his wives. Watch the next video to learn more!

    

   If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.

6. Parshat Bo Part 6: Circumcision, Firstborn Animals, Hametz and Matza and the Children's Questions

   Dr. Yael Ziegler | 38 minutes

   This podcast concludes Parshat Bo, and discusses the verses that serve as an addendum to the previous section of the preparation for the departure from Egypt. This section describes the mitzvot commemorating the Exodus, which are meant to instill in us an understanding of the value of the Jewish nation and our relationship with God. 

   Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

7. Parshat Bemidbar Part 5: Levi’im Replace the First Born

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 25 minutes

   This podcast discusses the redemption of the firstborn through their replacement with the Leviim, and addresses some of the questions that arose in the previous podcasts.

    

   Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com