marriage

Found 16 Search results

1. "Do Not Take a Wife from the Daughters of the Canaanites"

   Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot

   The story about finding a wife for Yitzchak seems simple, but the Torah describes it in great length, both in a detailed description of the events and in lengthy monologues. What can we learn from the long repetition? Why does Avraham want his son to marry a woman from Haran, and not from Canaan?

2. Not Good for Man to be Alone

   Rabbi David Silverberg

3. Why did Rivka's Family Waver?

   Rabbi David Silverberg

4. Shmuel David Luzzatto (Shadal) as a Bible Commentator

   Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin |

   In this class, we will examine the unique approach of Shadal (Shmuel David Luzzato) in his Bible commentary. We will look at different texts that highlight interesting features in his commentary to them. He does not hold back from interpreting the pshat (plain meaning of the text) in a way that contradicts traditional Rabbinic interpretations. Occasionally, he strongly voices his opposition to Rambam (Maimonides) and the apparent influence of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle on Rambam’s comments. Luzzato’s comments also reveal ideas about equality, sexual ethics, and the conviction that the purpose of the Torah(including mitzvoth such as Loving God, is not philosophy, but action: for furthering the goal of doing and spreading justice and righteousness.

5. Hoshea 1-3 - Matan Al HaPerek

   Rabbi David Sabato

   The first unit in the book of Hoshea includes perakim 1-3, and deals with the prophet’s marriage and its symbolic meaning as regards the relationship of God and Israel.

   These perakim are a mixture of prophecies of doom and harsh rebuke with words of consolation and visions of redemption. The unit comprises six sections, which are arranged in a chiastic structure. In this study guide, we will follow the sections in order, while comparing them to the parallel sections. An appendix deals with the topic of Ba'al worship.

    

6. The Casuistic Unit in Parshat Mishpatim

   Rabbi Meir Lichtenstein | Hour and 7 minutes

   Parshat Mishpatim is comprised of casuistic laws – cases which are described as though they have already occurred and laws presented accordingly. When closely examining these laws, one can notice that there is a direct link between these laws and actual occurrences in Sefer Bereishit. Through a close comparison of Shemot and Bereishit, we learn about the relationship between our moral compass and legal discourse and how it sheds light on the stories of Bereishit and our own lives.  

7. Hayyei Sarah: Life Cycle Events and the Land of Israel

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell |

   Parashat Hayyei Sarah includes significant life-cycle events, such as death, burial, (implied) mourning, and marriage. It also seems to place significance on these events taking place in Eretz Yisrael. Avraham's process of arranging for the burial for Sarah is detailed, and his efforts to also purchase a burial plot is emphasized. In addition, Avraham says in no uncertain terms that Yitzhak is not to leave the Land of Canaan, even in order to find a wife. Why is this?

    

8. The Agricultural and Historical Significance of Sefirat HaOmer

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   
   The Festival of Freedom, which commemorates the unique historical event of the Exodus, must coincide with the start of the annual agricultural season - the harvest. What is the connection between the two?
   
   
   It is somewhat puzzling that while the Torah speaks directly of both aspects of Pesach - agricultural and historical - it focuses solely on the agricultural significance of Sefirat Ha-Omer and Shavuot. In fact, it is the Sages who calculate that Matan Torah took place on the selfsame day that we are commanded to offer the shtei ha- lechem. Why does the Torah not mention the historical significance of the day at all?
   
   While it is true that there is no direct mention of Shavuot as the commemoration of the revelation at Sinai, the connection is very strongly hinted at in the verses by the use of Sefirat Ha-Omer as the link between Pesach and Shavuot, as will be explained.
    

    

   Translated by Zev Jacobson

9. The Night at the Threshing Floor: Uncovering the Motives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz

   Dr. Mordechai Sabato

   The 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

    

10. Ruth and Boaz: Mirror Characters

    Dr. Yael Ziegler

    Ruth’s generosity reverses the downward spiral of the megilla’s narrative and launches its arduous movement toward resolution. Ruth, however, cannot act independently. Everything she ultimately offers Naomi (food, children) is given to her by Boaz, who is also portrayed as a paragon of generosity. If the first critical shift in the book is initiated by Ruth, its final pivot is completed by Boaz. It may be most accurate to conclude that the success of the narrative rests upon the coming together of this couple.

    Ruth and Boaz’s marriage represents the conjoining of two similar personalities, whose traits are ideal for producing both the personal solution for Naomi’s tragedy and the national solution for the self-centered, miserly, and slothful society during the period of the judges. In order to convey the similarity between Boaz and Ruth and highlight the important traits that they share, the Book of Ruth presents several linguistic parallels between these characters.

11. Three Forms of Redemption in Megillat Ruth

    Dr. Yael Ziegler

    In the fateful nighttime encounter on the threshing floor, Boaz is startled to find someone lying at his feet:

     

    And he said, “Who are you?” And she replied, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Spread your wings (khenafekha) over your maidservant, for you are a redeemer.” And [Boaz] said, “…And now, even though truly I am a go’el, there is a go’el who is closer than I. Lie here tonight and in the morning, if the redeemer shall redeem you, good, but if he shall not desire to redeem you, I myself shall redeem you, I swear by God. Lie until the morning.” (Ruth 3:9-13)

     

    What is the meaning of Ruth’s request that Boaz spread his wings over her, and her statement that Boaz is a redeemer? Targum, Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban assume that Ruth’s request for Boaz to spread his kanaf over her is a request for marriage. 

    Nevertheless, it is less clear what Ruth means when she states plainly, “For you are the go’el.” In what way does this relate to Ruth’s previous request? Is it also a bid for marriage, which Ruth terms her redemption, or does this refer to Boaz’s ostensible duty to buy Naomi’s property?

     

     

12. Yirmiahu and Family Metaphors for God's Relationship with Israel

    Erev Shabbat Pinchas 5769

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 18 minutes

    We begin the Three Weeks leading up to Tisha Be'Av (the Ninth of Av) with Haftarot from the book of Yirmiahu. Yirmiahu seems to be very pessimistic and dark on the most part. He is constantly disbelieved and must warn the people of the bitter reality which they do not wish to confront.

    He is commanded to tell the people of Israel about God's plan to destroy - but also about His plans to rebuild. During the Three Weeks, the haftarot seem to focus on the more depressing content, but within these chapters are also some messages of hope.

     

    Chapter 3 begins with an analogy of a wife who is unfaithful, who cannot then return to her first husband. Can the people of Israel return to God, or are they too far gone in their sins? We find that Yirmiahu begins to take up a different theme, using the metaphor of a parent-child relationship. No matter how far the children stray, there is always an option to return. 

13. Hoshea - Tanakh Profiles

    Rabbi Jonathan Mishkin

14. Haftarat Nitzavim - Vayelekh: Bride and Groom

    Rabbi David Silverberg

15. From Inside to Outside: Yom Kippur and Sukkot

    Dr. Yonatan Feintuch

    Sukkot follows almost immediately after Yom Kippur and both share in the atmosphere of Tishrei – one of soul-searching, gazing at the year gone by, atonement, and looking towards the future. Still, as we know, these festivals are very different in essence, mood, and in the laws that characterize them.

    In this article I suggest that the two holidays sit at opposite poles of single continuum: one that stretches from inwardness to outwardness.

16. Bereishit: Does Man 'Acquire' Woman?

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    It seems troubling that in a Jewish marriage, a man ‘acquires’ a woman – is Judaism really so archaic? In this lecture, Rabbi David Fohrman explores this question in the context of God’s creation of Eve, the first woman, and shows that true acquisition is not about control, it’s about completeness of the self.

     

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