Nevukhadnetzar

נמצאו 8 תוצאות חיפוש

1. The First Dream and Its Interpretation (Part 1)

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   The verb that is used to describe Pharaoh when he has an uninterpreted dream is contrasted with the verb used to describe Nevukhadnetzar when he forgets his dream. The commentators debate Daniel’s status as a prophet. This leads to a broader question of prophecy versus prophetic dreams. A prophetic dream includes inner thoughts and subjective interpretations – even when it includes God's word. Prophecy, on the other hand, is solely God's word (although delivered in a style unique to the individual prophet involved), with no mixture of human thoughts. 

2. The Golden Idol

   Part 1

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   In order to override the conclusion of his dream regarding the transience of the Babylonian kingdom, Nevukhadnetzar constructs a golden idol. He believes that if all bow down to the idol, he will eternalize the Babylonian kingdom. The refusal of only three Jews is thus viewed as a threat to this plan, just as Mordekhai’s refusal to bow to Haman was viewed as a threat. Their refusal to bow to the idol leads them to be cast into the fiery furnace just as Avraham was cast into the furnace of Nimrod many years earlier according to the Sages. The first king of Babylon, Nimrod, and his tower that rose to the heavens, are compared to Nevukhadnetzar, the current king, and his gold idol that rose sixty cubits high.

3. The Golden Idol (continued)

   Part 2

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Both in the time of Nimrod and in the time of Nevukhadnetzar, the collective behavior was not an expression of unity, but rather of the tyrannical reign of a single man, who thought for everyone. In both instances the ruler’s plan was successfully challenged by individuals with love and fear of God. Informing to authorities is the type of Lashon Hara that leads to torture and death and is therefore comparable to the three cardinal sins. Three types of miracles exist: a miracle cloaked in nature that remains hidden; a miracle that alters nature – such as the miracle of the three in Nevukhadnetzar’s furnace; and a miracle where God himself intervenes and also defeats the enemy as was the miracle that Avraham merited.

4. Nevukhadnetzar's Second Dream

   Part 1

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Nevukhadnetzar’s second dream seems easy to interpret. The special skill needed by Daniel, that Nevukhadnetzar’s other servants lacked, was the courage to say the harsh message to the king. Nevukhadnetzar’s arrogance demanded humiliation. The legitimacy and correctness of Daniel’s advice to him to give charity is questionable. Twelve months later, once the charity ceases and Nevukhadnetzar’s arrogance is still in place, as is seen by his rooftop statement, the punishment is carried out. His rooftop show of arrogance raises an association to David’s rooftop arrogance prior to his sin with Bat Sheva.

5. Nevukhadnetzar's Second Dream (continued)

   Part 2

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   The parable of the great tree in Nevukhadnetzar’s dream and his predicted fall is compared to the fall of previous empires of Assyria and Egypt. There are several ways of understanding Nevukhadnetzar’s punishment to live with the beasts: losing his mind and acting like a beast; a storm wind carried him far away from humanity and he lived with the beasts; he started to act like an animal and was cast out of his palace; he was imprisoned by his wife who took over his kingdom; he developed a terrible illness for several years.

6. The Vision of the Four Beasts

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   The Sages and many commentators are in agreement that the four beasts in Daniel’s dream parallel the four kingdoms described in Nevukhadnetzar’s dream. An alternative interpretation suggest that that the first three beasts are parables for Nevukhadnetzar - the lion, his son Evil Merodakh - the bear, and his son Belshatzar – the final king of Babylon - represented by the leopard. The fourth beast represents the kingdom of Persia and the ten horns of the beast represent the ten successive rulers of Persia. The new horn that sprouts and uproots the existing one represents Alexander the Great and the Greek Empire.

7. The Enemy from the North: Nevukhadnetzar's Ascent

   Rabbi David Sabato

8. What's in a Name?

   HaTanakh.com Staff