Hidden Divine Providence

נמצאו 9 תוצאות חיפוש

  1. The Victory Over the Ai

    Rabbi Michael Hattin

    At Jericho, the victory was God's alone. It was precipitated by His Ark, the symbol of His earthly throne, and resulted from the miraculous collapse of the city's fortifications. As aresult the spoils were prohibited. At the Ai, the groundwork for the undertaking that resulted in success was prepared by the twin components of Yehoshua's meticulous planning and the people's spirited struggle. While God in the end provided the critical catalyst for the victory, it was a triumph that belonged to all of Israel. Therefore, the spoils are also given over to them to stress the significance of THEIR initiative and to highlight THEIR involvement. 

  2. The Lord is My Light and My Salvation

    Psalm 27 - L'David Hashem Ori ve-Yishi

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    Psalm 27 can be divided into two parts, each part representing opposing points of view. The first half expresses a religious position of absolute trust in God, untainted by doubt while the second half expresses the psalmists anxiety and lack of confidence. Can the mizmor be read as one unified text nonetheless? What is the significance of presenting these two views side by side in one psalm?

  3. The Structure of Megillat Esther

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman and Rabbi Dr. Yehoshua Reiss

    The reversal of fates in the book of Esther is expressed in the reverse parallel literary structure of the entire narrative, as demonstrated in this diagram. 

  4. The Timeline in Megillat Esther

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman and Rabbi Dr. Yehoshua Reiss

    Where does the story of the Megilla begin? Why is Ahashverosh's feast the starting point of the Book of Esther, when the content of the story begins long after Vashti's expulsion? The distinction between the literary starting point and the actual narrative creates a spiritual challenge for the readers, who are expected to find the divine providence that guides the events that transpire before our eyes, even when God's presence is not explicitly revealed.

  5. Who is the Protagonist of Megillat Esther?

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman and Rabbi Dr. Yehoshua Reiss

    In the first half of the megillah Mordechai appears to be the main character. From the point that Esther agrees to risk her life on behalf of the Jewish people, she becomes the leading character, and Mordechai becomes subservient to her:

  6. Esther and Joseph

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman and Rabbi Dr. Yehoshua Reiss

    Many literary parallels exist between the story of Yosef and the megillah. What is the message of these parallels?

  7. 'Hester Panim' and its Prophetic Message

    Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

    'Hester Panim' is a concept that is prominent in the understanding of Megillat Esther. On a positive side, Shirat Ha'azinu teaches us that even when God's providence is not apparent, he never abandons Am Yisrael. However, 'Hester Panim' also implies a sinful situation that leads to God's reaction of 'Hester Panim'. The sin of Am Yisrael in the story of Megillat Esther is also hidden.

  8. God's Rod and Staff - Churban and the Covenant

    Rabbi Yair Kahn

    תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | 3 דקות

    When thinking about sin, exile, the Hidden Face of God, and God's eternal covenant with Israel, we can draw inspiration from a line in Psalms 23. Both God's shevet (rod) and mish'enet (leaning-stick) are comforting. Though God's rod symbolizes anger and punishment, both the shevet  and the mish'enet signify that God is present. Though God warns at the end of Devarim that He will "Hide His Face" (as it were), the covenant with the Jewish people is eternal, and God never really leaves them. God is still there, upholding the covenant.

  9. Vayelekh: Questionable Teshuva and Divine Concealment

    Rabbi David Silverberg