Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Since the earliest times, there have been two main approaches to understanding the sins and errors of biblical heroes: one takes the straightforward...
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source:
The episode of David and Batsheva illustrates the dilemma of the sins of Biblical figures in all its intensity and complexity. A plain reading of the...
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ; ; ; ; ;
Two fundamental approaches exist regarding three incidents involving Avraham: one maintains that the plain reading of the text suggests that the acts in...
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source:
A plain reading of the text shows that it is difficult to find any flawless figures: the forefathers, Moshe, the kings and the prophets all display human...
Part 6 - Contradictions between Different Parshiot
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ; ; ; ; ;
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...
Part 5 - Rabbinic Interpretations that Contradict the Peshat (cont.)
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ;
Chazal taught that "from the day after the Shabbat" means "from the day after the festival". Chazal's interpretation was accepted by all of the...
Part 4 - Rabbinic Interpretations that Contradict the Peshat (cont.)
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ;
The changing understanding of “an eye for an eye” can be explained as follows: during the biblical period there was no compunction about severing limbs as...
Part 3 - Rabbinic Interpretations that Contradict the Peshat
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ;
If the literal text indeed suggests one understanding, why do Chazal not rule in accordance with it? If, on the other hand, it is Chazal’s interpretation...
Part 2 - Midrashei Halakha that Contradict the Peshat
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ; ;
In instances where there is a blatant contradiction between the peshat and midrash halakha, Ibn Ezra systematically interprets the verses in accordance...
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Source: ; ; ;
The conventional approach among the commentators is thus that all of Chazal's interpretations are halakhically binding, but they do not void the validity...
