Tefillin

Found 8 Search results

  1. Tefillin- a Remembrance

    Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen

    תאריך פרסום: תשס"ז | | 30 minutes

    We now encounter something new. Until now, we have seen continuing narratives in the books of Bereisheet and Shemot, but in Parashat Bo we begin to find sections of mitzoth. Most of those in our parasha appear to be clearly connected to the Exodus from Egypt. Tefillin seems to be an exception. Drawing on traditional works of halakha and Jewish thought, we examine this mitzvah and contrast it with the mitzvoth of sukka and tzitzith.

  2. Urim and Tumim- What is their Significance?

    Rabbi Daniel Wolf

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |

    In this shiur, we take a closer look at the mysterious Urim ve-Tumim. What are they? Why do they have a double name? What is their purpose? Strangely, it appears that there is no explicit command to make them, yet their presence is assumed by the Torah, and they seem to play a significant role when leaders call for the kohanim to advise them about decisions to make.

  3. Peshat and Midrash Halakha

    Part 2 - Midrashei Halakha that Contradict the Peshat

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    In instances where there is a blatant contradiction between the peshat and midrash halakha, Ibn Ezra systematically interprets the verses in accordance with the midrash. However, other commentators, including the Rashbam and the Vilna Gaon, maintain the distinction between peshat and derash – even in matters of halakha.

    Rashbam maintained that the principle of polysemy, of multiple valid interpretations of the text, is relevant even in these instances. He emphasizes that the laws derived from seeming superfluities in the text are the “essence” – and by this he would seem to be saying that the midrashic teaching is binding, in practical, halakhic terms, but nevertheless the plain sense of the verse still has its value and role.

  4. Rashbam

    Part 2

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    Foreshadowing

    One of the most important ideas that the Rashbam develops is the principle of foreshadowing. According to this principle, when the Torah notes details that appear to be disconnected, extraneous, or anachronistic, it actually provides them in order to explain an event that comes afterwards.

    It is possible to apply the principle of foreshadowing, not only to verses or fragments, but even to larger segments. For example, in the Rashbam’s introduction to Bereishit, he declares that the story of Creation interests us solely because it helps us understand the Ten Commandments.

    From explanations similar to this, it arises that the essence of the Torah is the mitzvot, while the narratives are secondary; the stories appear in order to explain the mitzvot.

    Peshat and Halakha

    In his explanations of the halakhic portion of the Torah, the Rashbam employs the same method which he applies to the narrative portion of the Torah: the explanation of the verses without any reliance on Midrashic literature. This approach is difficult to apply to mitzvot because the binding halakha is not the simple meaning of the verse, but the interpretation of the verses as the Sages explain it. The Rashbam believes that one should adopt the views of the Sages for everything that relates to practical Halakha; however, the interpretation of the peshat and the halakhic midrashim can live under the same roof. What worth does peshat have when it does not fit with Halakha? One possibility is that the peshat reflects the ideal, while the derash deals with the real.

  5. R. Yosef Bekhor Shor

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    R. Yosef of Orléans, (northern France) was a 12th-century exegete who has become known through the generation as Ri Bekhor Shor. He was a Tosafist, a student of Rabbeinu Tam, and he was influenced mainly by Rashi’s commentary and the commentaries of Mahari Kara and the Rashbam. Like his predecessors Mahari Kara and Rashbam, he was a member of the peshat school.  It appears that Ri Bekhor Shor forges a path that is a middle way between Rashi and the pursuers of the peshat. These are his major exegetical principles:

    • Ri Bekhor Shor aims to explain the verses without non-biblical information; however, when the derash is appropriate for explaining the peshat and for the general context of verses, or when one may explain it as being in keeping with biblical reality, he will not hesitate to bring a midrash.
    • The Torah does not provide superfluous information. All information provided is in fact essential.
    • Verses should be explained within their specific context, a reverse method to the foreshadowing principle of Rashbam.
    • Verses should be explained based on understanding the state of mind of the human actors.
    • Verses should be explained according to the reality of the biblical era.
    • God directs the world in a natural way as much as possible, and the use made of miracles is the absolute minimum.
    • An expansive and consistent approach to the question of the reasons of mitzvot.
    • In the Peshat vs. Halakha discussion, Ri Bekhor Shor is closer to Rashi’s approach with exception in which he explains the verses according to a Peshat that differs from Halakha.
    • A tendency to counteract Christian interpretations of the Torah.

  6. Rashbam and Ibn Ezra

    Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin

    תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour

    Beginning with biographical sketches, we compare and contrast, Ibn Ezra and Rashbam, two Torah commentators who claim to look for the plain meaning of the text.  Both are interested peshat at a time when others aren’t, but they are two very different people from different contexts and milieus. Their methods and comments can often be remarkably similar, but the differences are telling. We delve into the question of what peshat is. Do they both see "peshat" as the highest value in their Torah commentary, or is something else going on? We will look at some fascinating examples that highlight their respective methodologies.

  7. Sefer Devarim: Archaeology

    Nachliel Selavan | 22 minutes

    This is an analysis of the Archaeology of the Sefer Devarim by Nachliel Selavan.

    Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.

     

  8. Black Boxes and Remembering Egypt: How and Why? (Exodus 13)

    Rabbi Gad Dishi

    תאריך פרסום: 2023 | | Hour and 4 minutes

    Oddly, we are commanded to wear tefillin - a physical item that serves as a reminder of the Exodus. Yet, how are these revered, mysterious black boxes meant to recall the Mighty Hand that took us out of Egypt? With a glimpse into Ancient Egypt, we will explore the origins of Tefillin and discover one of the Bible's "Meta"-themes. In doing so, we will learn how we may possibly be able to transmit our personal religious experience to the next generation.