Comparative Study

Found 8 Search results

  1. The Drought (part 14)

    Eliyahu Revives the Widow of Tzarfat's Son (VII)

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    While both exist within a similar general framework, clear differences exist between the resurrection performed by Eliyahu and the resurrection performed by Elisha. Each description is constructed around a challenge which the prophet must address by mobilizing all his energies. Eliyahu is in conflict with God and therefore his challenge focuses on his prayers to God. Elisha bares a personal responsibility for the dead child himself and therefore his challenge focuses on his actions to revive him.

  2. Ahazya (Part 5)

    The First Captain of Fifty vs. The Second

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    Despite the obvious similarities, several subtle difference exist between the first two confrontations between Eliyahu and the captains with their men. While the second captain is more cautious in the aftermath of the outcome of the first, ultimately the confrontation between the second captain and Eliyahu is more acute than the first, both in terms of the behavior and speech of the captain and in terms of the punishment that emerges from heaven at Eliyahu's decree.

  3. Seeing Ten Commandments in the Burning Bush

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In this video, Rabbi Fohrman connects the Ten Commandments to the story of Moses and the Burning Bush, arguing that the text is certainly meant to hark back - but why? Want to see more videos like this? Check out https://www.alephbeta.org/

  4. Creating a Model Society: Torah and the Davidic Kingdom

    The Structure & Story of Book I

    Dr. Beni Gesundheit | 57 minutes

    Unit II, Tehillim 15-24

    Tehillim 15-24, the second unit in Book 1, form a chiastic structure around its central mizmor, Tehillim 19. These mizmorim also provide a response to the problem of evil expressed in unit 1. Tehillim 19 poetically praises the Torah and its contribution to man. The contextual interpretation will be used to show how parallel verses in proximal chapters surrounding this mizmor reinforce the concept of our commitment to God, from nature which sings and praises God and the psalmist who describes his responsibility to Torah.

  5. Thank You Hashem for My Mission to be Your Servant

    The Structure & Story of Book I

    Dr. Beni Gesundheit | Hour and 13 minutes

    Mizmor 40, Intertextuality and a Summary of Book I

    How do words in one mizmor fit with other books in the Tanakh? What messages can we learn for ourselves? Psalm 40 at the end of Book I is rich in words and phrases that are common to those in other books in the Tanakh, especially Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The methods of contextuality with Unit IV (35-41) and intertextuality will be used to explore these similarities and nuances which will enrich our understanding of the mizmor. A summary of Book I will also be presented.

  6. The King is Dead, Long Live the King!

    The Structure & Story of Books books II (42-72) & III (73-89)

    Dr. Beni Gesundheit | Hour and 7 minutes

    The ending of this mizmor is dramatic. How appropriate is it to serve as the closing of D2 and the ending of Book II? And how does it fit into the overall structure of the Book of Tehillim?

    Mizmor 72, the first of only two mizmorim with the header l’Shlomo, concludes Book II of Tehillim with the sentence that “the prayers of David the son of Yishai are ended”. The contextual interpretation provides a powerful reason for the specific placement of this mizmor here in Sefer Tehillim. Intertextual comparison to the book of Zechariah also reveals further insights for understanding this mizmor.

  7. God and the Righteous: Two-Way Communication

    The Structure & Story of Book V (107-150)

    Dr. Beni Gesundheit | Hour and 7 minutes

    God and the Righteous: Two-Way Communication

    What can we learn from the special structure and contents of the adjacent Mizmorim 111 and 112? How can these be compared to other mizmorim in Tehillim?    

    Mizmorim 111 and 112 are arranged in the same manner and appear to have a similar message, and therefore, they are considered to be “twin” mizmorim. While Mizmor 111 praises God’s manifestation in the world, Mizmor 112 describes the qualities of the Zadik who walks in His ways (“imitatio Dei”). These two mizmorim demonstrate that God and the Zadik function as twins.

    Contextual interpretation will be used to compare the twin chapters 111-112 to Mizmor 1 and to Mizmor 119, which are all similarly structured. This comparison reflects a fascinating spiritual, religious and psychological journey.

  8. Sefer Bereisheet: Overview and Meaning

    Nachliel Selavan | Hour and 33 minutes

    This the opening episode of Tanach study's five episode course studying of an overview and the meaning of the five books of Torah (Pentateuch). In this episode Dr. Zvi Shimon uncovers the main themes of Sefer Bereisheet and demonstrates how it ties the book together.