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This Torah commentary comes to you courtesy of:

 

His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David and beloved wife HH Giberet Batsheva bat Sarah

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Shabbat “HaGadol”

Sabbath “The Great”

 

 

* To be read by the Highest Torah Scholar available to the congregation

 

Blessings Before Torah Study

 

Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us through Your commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah. Amen!

 

Please Ha-Shem, our G-d, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May we and our offspring, and our offspring's offspring, and all the offspring of Your people, the House of Israel, may we all, together, know Your Name and study Your Torah for the sake of fulfilling Your desire. Blessed are You, Ha-Shem, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel. Amen!

 

Blessed are You, Ha-Shem our G-d, King of the universe, Who chose us from all the nations, and gave us the Torah. Blessed are You, Ha-Shem, Giver of the Torah. Amen!

 

Ha-Shem spoke to Moses, explaining a Commandment. "Speak to Aaron and his sons, and teach them the following Commandment: This is how you should bless the Children of Israel. Say to the Children of Israel:

 

May Ha-Shem bless you and keep watch over you; - Amen!

May Ha-Shem make His Presence enlighten you, and may He be kind to you; - Amen!

May Ha-Shem bestow favor on you, and grant you peace. – Amen!

 

This way, the priests will link My Name with the Israelites, and I will bless them."

 

These are the Laws for which the Torah did not mandate specific amounts: How much growing produce must be left in the corner of the field for the poor; how much of the first fruits must be offered at the Holy Temple; how much one must bring as an offering when one visits the Holy Temple three times a year; how much one must do when doing acts of kindness; and there is no maximum amount of Torah that a person must study.

 

These are the Laws whose benefits a person can often enjoy even in this world, even though the primary reward is in the Next World: They are: Honouring one's father and mother; doing acts of kindness; early attendance at the place of Torah study -- morning and night; showing hospitality to guests; visiting the sick; providing for the financial needs of a bride; escorting the dead; being very engrossed in prayer; bringing peace between two people, and between husband and wife; but the study of Torah is as great as all of them together. Amen!

 

Contents of the Torah Seder

 

·        Renewed Promise of Redemption – Exodus 6:2-13

·        The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron – Exodus 6:14-27

·        Moses’ Second Complaint – Exodus 6:28-30

·        Moses Appointed the Direct Representative of G-d – Exodus 7:1-7

 

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan

for: Shemot (Exodus) ‎6:2 – 7:7‎

 

Rashi	Targum
2. God spoke to Moses, and He said to him, "I am the Lord.	2. AND the LORD spoke with Mosheh, and said to him, I am the LORD who revealed Myself to you in the midst of the bush, and said to you, I am the LORD.
3. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob with [the name] Almighty God, but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them.	3. And I was revealed unto Abraham, and to Yitshaq, and to Ya’aqob, as EI-Shaddai; but My Name ADONAI, as it discovers My Glory, was not known to them. JERUSALEM: And the LORD was revealed in His Word unto Abraham, to Yitshaq, and to Ya’aqob, as the God of Heaven; but the Name of the Word of the Lord was not known to them.
4. And also, I established My covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their sojournings in which they sojourned.	4. And I confirmed also My covenant with them, to give them the land of Kenaan, the land of their sojourning in which they were sojourners.
5. And also, I heard the moans of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians are holding in bondage, and I remembered My covenant.	5. And now comes before Me the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Mizraee do enslave them; and I remember My covenant.
6. Therefore, say to the children of Israel, 'I am the Lord, and I will take you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will save you from their labor, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.	6. Therefore say to the sons of Israel, I am the LORD; and I will bring you forth from the oppressive bondage of the Mizraee, and will deliver you from your servitude, and save you with an uplifted arm, and by great judgments.
7. And I will take you to Me as a people, and I will be a God to you, and you will know that I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.	7. And I will bring you near before Me to be a people, and I will be a God unto you, and you will know that I am the LORD your God who has led you forth from the hard service of the Mizraee.
8. I will bring you to the land, concerning which I raised My hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and I will give it to you as a heritage; I am the Lord.' "	8. And I will bring you into the land which I covenanted by My Word to give unto Abraham, to Yitshaq, and to Ya’aqob; and I will give it to you for an inheritance. I Am the LORD.
9. Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel, but they did not hearken to Moses because of [their] shortness of breath and because of [their] hard labor.	9. And Mosheh spoke according to this to the sons of Israel; but they received not from Mosheh, through anxiety of spirit, and from the strange and hard service which was upon their hands. JERUSALEM: From anxiety.
10. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,	10. And the LORD spoke to Mosheh saying,
11. "Come, speak to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and he will let the children of Israel out of his land."	11. Go in, speak with Pharoh, the king of Mizraim, that he release the children of Israel from his land.
12. But Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, "Behold, the children of Israel did not hearken to me. How then will Pharaoh hearken to me, seeing that I am of closed lips?"	12. And Mosheh said before the LORD, Behold, the sons of Israel do not hearken to me; how then will Pharoh hearken to me, and I a man difficult of speech?
13. So the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and He commanded them concerning the children of Israel and concerning Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to let the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.	13. And the LORD spoke with Mosheh and with Aharon, and gave them admonition for the sons of Israel, and sent them to Pharoh, king of Mizraim, to send forth the children of Israel from the land of Mizraim.
14. These [following] are the heads of the fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn: Enoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi, these are the families of Reuben.	14. These are the heads of the house of their fathers. The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, Hanok and Phallu, Hezron and Karmi; these are the race of Reuben.
15. And the sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Saul, the son of the Canaanitess, these are the families of Simeon.	15. And the sons of Shimeon, Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jakin, and Sochar, and Shaul (he is Zimri, who yielded himself unto fornication, as among the Kenaanaee); these are the race of Shimeon.
16. And these are the names of Levi's sons after their generations: Gershon, Kehath, and Merari, and the years of Levi's life were one hundred thirty seven years.	16. And these are the names of the sons of Levi, according to their race: Gershon, and Kehath, and Merari. And the years of the life of Levi a hundred and thirty and seven years: he lived to see Mosheh and Aharon the deliverers of Israel.
17. The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei to their families.	17. And the sons of Gershon, Libni and Shemei, according to their generations.
18. And the sons of Kehath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, and the years of Kehath's life were one hundred thirty three years.	18. And the sons of Kehath, Amram, and Jitshar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. And the years of the life of Kehath the saint, a hundred and thirty and three years. He lived to see Phinehas, who is Elijah, the Great Priest, who is to be sent to the captivity of Israel at the end of the days.
19. And the sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi; these are the families of the Levites according to their generations.	19. And the sons of Merari, Mahali and Mushi; these are the race of Levi according to the generations.
20. Amram took Jochebed, his aunt, as his wife, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, and the years of Amram's life were one hundred thirty seven years.	20. And Amram took Yochebed his cousin to wife, and she bare him Aharon and Mosheh; and the years of Amram the saint were a hundred and thirty and seven years. He lived to see the children of Rechabia bar Gershom bar Mosheh.
21. And the sons of Izhar were Korah and Nepheg and Zichri.	21. And the sons of Jitshar (were) Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
22. And the sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri.	22. And the sons of Uzziel, Mishael, and Elsaphan, and Sithri.
23. Aaron took to himself for a wife, Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.	23. And Aharon took Elisheba, daughter of Aminadab, sister of Nachshon, Unto him to wife, and she bare him Nadab and Abihu, Elasar and Ithamar.
24. And the sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.	24. And the sons of Korah, Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the race of Korah.
25. Eleazar, the son of Aaron, took himself [one] of the daughters of Putiel to himself as a wife, and she bore him Phinehas; these are the heads of the fathers' [houses] of the Levites according to their families.	25. And Elasar bar Aharon took unto him a wife from the daughters of Jethro who is Putiel, and she bare him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers of the Levites, according to their generations.
26. That is Aaron and Moses, to whom the Lord said, "Take the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt with their legions."	26. These are Aharon and Mosheh, to whom the LORD said, Bring forth the sons of Israel free from the land of Mizraim, according to their hosts;
27. They are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to let the children of Israel out of Egypt; they are Moses and Aaron.	27. these are they who spoke with Pharoh, king of Mizraim, that he should send out the sons of Israel from Mizraim; it is Mosheh the prophet, and Aharon the priest.
28. Now it came to pass on the day that the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,	28. And it was in the day when the LORD spoke with Mosheh in the land of Mizraim, that Aharon gave a listening ear, and heard what He spoke with him.
29. that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh everything that I speak to you."	29. And the LORD spoke with Mosheh, and said to him, I am the LORD. Say to Pharoh, king of Mizraim all that I tell you.
30. But Moses said before the Lord, "Behold, I am of closed lips; so how will Pharaoh hearken to me?"	30. And Mosheh said before the LORD, Behold, I am difficult in speaking; how then will Pharoh hearken to me?
1. The Lord said to Moses, "See! I have made you a lord over Pharaoh, and Aaron, your brother, will be your speaker.	1. But the LORD said to Mosheh, Wherefore are you fearful? Behold, I have set you as a terror to Pharoh, as if you were his God, and Aharon your brother will be your prophet.
2. You shall speak all that I command you, and Aaron, your brother, shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel out of his land.	2. You will speak to Aharon that which I command you, and Aharon your brother will speak to Pharoh, that he release the sons of Israel from his land.
3. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and I will increase My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.	3. But I will harden the disposition of Pharoh's heart to multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Mizraim.
4. But Pharaoh will not hearken to you, and I will lay My hand upon the Egyptians, and I will take My legions, My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt with great judgments.	4. Nor will Pharoh hearken to you. But I will shoot among them the arrows of death, and inflict the plagues of My mighty hand upon Mizraim, and will bring out the sons of Israel free from among them.
5. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord when I stretch forth My hand over Egypt, and I will take the children of Israel out of their midst."	5. ---
6. Moses and Aaron did; as the Lord commanded them, so they did.	6. And Mosheh and Aharon did as the LORD commanded them, even so did they.
7. And Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.	7. And Mosheh was the son of eighty years, and Aharon the son of eighty and three years, at their speaking with Pharoh.

 

 

Welcome to the World of P’shat Exegesis

 

In order to understand the finished work of the P’shat mode of interpretation of the Torah, one needs to take into account that the P’shat is intended to produce a catechetical output, whereby a question/s is/are raised and an answer/a is/are given using the seven Hermeneutic Laws of R. Hillel and as well as the laws of Hebrew Grammar and Hebrew expression.

 

The Seven Hermeneutic Laws of R. Hillel are as follows

[cf. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=472&letter=R]:

 

1. Ḳal va-ḥomer: "Argumentum a minori ad majus" or "a majori ad minus"; corresponding to the scholastic proof a fortiori.

2. Gezerah shavah: Argument from analogy. Biblical passages containing synonyms or homonyms are subject, however much they differ in other respects, to identical definitions and applications.

3. Binyan ab mi-katub eḥad: Application of a provision found in one passage only to passages which are related to the first in content but do not contain the provision in question.

4. Binyan ab mi-shene ketubim: The same as the preceding, except that the provision is generalized from two Biblical passages.

5. Kelal u-Peraṭ and Peraṭ u-kelal: Definition of the general by the particular, and of the particular by the general.

6. Ka-yoẓe bo mi-maḳom aḥer: Similarity in content to another Scriptural passage.

7. Dabar ha-lamed me-'inyano: Interpretation deduced from the context.

 

Rashi Commentary for: ‎ Shemot (Exodus) 6:2 – 7:7

 

2 God spoke to Moses-He called him to account since he [Moses] had spoken harshly by saying, “Why have You harmed this people?” (Exod. 5: 22)-[from Tanchuma Buber, Va’era 4]

 

and He said to him, I am the Lord-[Meaning: I am] faithful to recompense all those who walk before Me. I did not send you [to Pharaoh] except to fulfill My words, which I spoke to the early fathers. In this sense, we find that it ]אֲנִי ה' is interpreted in many places [in Scripture] as “I am the Lord,” [meaning that I am] faithful to exact retribution. [It has this meaning] when it is stated in conjunction with [an act warranting] punishment, e.g., “or you will profane the name of your God; I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:12). When it is stated in conjunction with the fulfillment of commandments, e.g., “And you shall keep My commandments and perform them; I am the Lord” (Lev. 22:31), [it means: I am] faithful to give reward.

 

3 I appeared-to the fathers.

 

with [the name] Almighty God-I made promises to them, in all of which I said to them, “I am the Almighty God.”

 

but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them-It is not written here א הוֹדַעְתִּי, “but My Name YHWH I did not make known to them,” but א נוֹדַעְתִּי, “I did not become known.” [I.e.,] I was not recognized by them with My attribute of keeping faith, by dint of which My name is called YHWH, [which means that I am] faithful to verify My words, for I made promises to them, but I did not fulfill [them while they were alive].

 

4 And also, I established My covenant, etc.-And also, when I appeared to them as the Almighty God, I established and set up a covenant between Myself and them.

 

to give them the land of Canaan-To Abraham in the section dealing with [the commandment of] circumcision (Gen. 17), it is said: “I am the Almighty God… And I will give you and your seed after you the land of your sojournings” (Gen. 17:1, 8). To Isaac [it is stated], “for to you and to your seed I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham” (Gen. 26:3), and that oath which I swore to Abraham was spoken with the [name] “Almighty God.” To Jacob [it is said], “I am the Almighty God; be fruitful and multiply, etc. And the land that, etc.” (Gen. 35:11, 12). So you see that I vowed to them [many vows], but I did not fulfill [My vows yet].

 

5 And also, I heard Just as I established and set up the covenant, it is incumbent upon Me to fulfill [it]. Therefore, I heard the moans [complaints] of the children of Israel, who are moaning.

 

whom the Egyptians are holding in bondage. I remembered that covenant [which I made with Abraham], for in the Covenant between the Parts, I said to him, “And also the nation that they will serve will I judge” (Gen. 15:14).

 

6 Therefore-according to that oath.

 

say to the children of Israel, I am the Lord [I am] faithful to My promise.

 

and I will take you out-for so did I promise him [Abraham], “and afterwards they will go forth with great possessions” (Gen. 15:14).

 

the burdens of the Egyptians-The toil of the burden of the Egyptians.

 

8 I raised My hand-I raised it to swear by My throne. [following Onkelos]

 

9 but they did not hearken to Moses-They did not accept consolation. I.e., they despaired completely of ever being redeemed.

 

because of [their] shortness of breath Whoever is under stress, his wind and his breath are short, and he cannot take a deep breath. Similar to this [interpretation, namely that what is meant by I am the Lord is: I am faithful to fulfill My word] I heard from Rabbi Baruch the son of Rabbi Eliezer, and he brought me proof [of this explanation] from this [following] verse: “at this time I will let them know My power and My might, and they shall know that My name is the Lord” (Jer. 16:21). [Rabbi Baruch said,] We learn from this that when the Holy One, blessed be He, fulfills His words-even [when it is] for retribution-He makes it known that His name is the Lord. How much more so [does this expression apply] when he fulfills [His word] for good [because the Tetragrammaton represents the Divine Standard of Mercy]. Our Rabbis, however, interpreted it (Sanh. 111a) as related to the preceding topic, [namely] that Moses said [verse 22], “Why have You harmed…?” (Exod. 5:22). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “We suffer a great loss for those [the Patriarchs] who are lost and [whose replacement] cannot be found. I must lament the death of the Patriarchs. Many times I revealed Myself to them as the Almighty God and they did not ask Me, ‘What is Your name?’ But you asked, What is His name? What shall I say to them?’” (Exod. 3:13).

 

[4] And also, I established, etc.-And when Abraham sought to bury Sarah, he could not find a grave until he bought [one] for a very high price. Similarly, [with] Isaac, [the Philistines] contested the wells he had dug. And so [with] Jacob, “And he bought the part of the field where he had pitched his tent” (Gen. 33:19), yet they did not question My actions! But you said, “Why have You harmed [the Israelites]?” This midrash, however, does not fit the text, for many reasons: First, because it does not say, “And My Name, ה' they did not ask me.” And if you say [in response to this] that He did not let them [the Patriarchs] know that this is His name, [and nevertheless they did not ask Him, (and we will explain א נוֹדַעְתִּי like א הוֹדַעְתִּי, I did not make known,) I will answer you that] indeed, at the beginning, when He revealed Himself to Abraham “between the parts” (Gen. 15:10), it says: “I am the Lord (אֲנִי ה'), Who brought you forth from Ur of the Chaldees” (Gen. 15:7). Moreover, how does the context continue with the matters that follow this [verse]: “And also, I heard, etc. Therefore, say to the children of Israel” ? Therefore, I say that the text should be interpreted according to its simple meaning, [with] each statement fitting its context, and the midrashic explanation may be expounded upon, as it is said: “‘Is not My word so like fire,’ says the Lord, ‘and like a hammer which shatters a rock?’” (Jer. 23:29). [The rock it strikes] is divided into many splinters.

 

12 closed lips-Heb. עֲרַל שְׂפָתָיִם, Literally, of “closed” lips. Similarly, every expression of (עָרְלָה) I say, denotes a closure: e.g., “their ear is clogged (עֲרֵלָה) ” (Jer. 6:10), [meaning] clogged to prevent hearing; “of uncircumcised (עַרְלֵי) hearts” (Jer. 9:25), [meaning] clogged to prevent understanding; “You too drink and become clogged up (וְהֵעָרֵל) ” (Hab. 2:16), [which means] and become clogged up from the intoxication of the cup of the curse; עָרְלַתבָּשָָׂר, the foreskin of the flesh, by which the male membrum is closed up and covered; “and you shall treat its fruit as forbidden (וְעֲרַלְתֶּם עָרְלָתוֹ) ” (Lev. 19: 23), [i.e.,] make for it a closure and a covering of prohibition, which will create a barrier that will prevent you from eating it. “For three years, it shall be closed up [forbidden] (עֲרֵלִים) for you” (Lev. 19:23), [i.e.,] closed up, covered, and separated from eating it.

 

How then will Pharaoh hearken to me-This is one of the ten kal vachomer inferences mentioned in the Torah.-[from Gen. Rabbah 92:7] [I.e., inferences from major to minor, such as in this case. I.e., if, because of my speech impediment, the children of Israel, who have everything to gain by listening to me, did not listen to me, Pharaoh, who has everything to lose by listening to me, will surely not listen to me.]

 

13 So the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron- Because Moses had said, “I am of closed lips,” the Holy One, blessed be He, combined Aaron with him to be for him as a “mouth” [i.e., speaker] and an interpreter.

 

and He commanded them concerning the children of Israel-He commanded regarding them [the Israelites] to lead them gently and to be patient with them.-[from Sifrei Beha’alothecha 91]

 

and concerning Pharaoh, the king of Egypt He commanded them concerning him [Pharaoh], to speak to him respectfully. This is its midrashic interpretation (Mechilta, Bo, ch. 13; Exod. Rabbah 7:2). Its simple meaning is that He commanded them [Moses and Aaron] concerning Israel and concerning His mission to Pharaoh. What the content of the command was is delineated in the second section [verses 29-31], after the order of the genealogy [that follows this passage]. [This second section should be here] but since [Scripture] mentioned Moses and Aaron, it interrupts the narrative with “These are the heads of the fathers’ houses” (verse 14) to inform us how Moses and Aaron were born and after whom they traced their lineage..

 

14 These [following] are the heads of the fathers’ houses-Since [Scripture] had to trace the lineage of the tribe of Levi as far as Moses and Aaron-because of Moses and Aaron-it commenced to trace their [the Israelites’] lineage in the order of their births, starting with Reuben. (In the Great Pesikta [Rabbathi] (7:7) I saw [the following statement]: Because Jacob rebuked [the progenitors of] these three tribes at the time of his death (Gen. 49:4-7), Scripture again traces their lineage here by themselves, to infer that [even though Jacob rebuked them] they are of high esteem.)

 

16 and the years of Levi’s life-Why were Levi’s years counted? To let us know how many were the years of bondage. For as long as one of the tribes was alive, there was no bondage, as it is said: “Now Joseph died, as well as all his brothers,” and afterwards, “A new king arose” (Exod. 1:6, 8), and Levi outlived them all.-[from Seder Olam, ch. 3]

 

18 and the years of Kehath’s life… 20. and the years of Amram’s life-From these calculations, we can learn [more information] concerning the dwelling of the children of Israel-[i.e., the] four hundred years, which Scripture states (Gen. 15:13, Exod. 12:40) that they were not only in Egypt, but [they date] from the day that Isaac was born. For was not Kehath one of those who migrated to Egypt? Now figure out all of his years [133] and Amram’s years [137] and Moses’ eighty years. You will not find them [to add up to] four hundred years. [In this calculation] many of the sons’ years are overlapped by the fathers’ years.-[from Seder Olam, ch. 3] [I.e., the sons were not born in their fathers’ last year. Therefore, the years cannot all be counted but the overlapping years must be deducted.]

 

20 Jochebed, his aunt-Heb. דֽדָתוֹ [Onkelos renders:] his father’s sister, the daughter of Levi, the sister of Kehath.

 

23 the sister of Nahshon From here we learn that one who contemplates taking a wife must [first] investigate her brothers.-[from B.B. 110a, Exod. Rabbah 7:5]

 

25 [one] of the daughters of Putiel- Of the seed of Jethro, who fattened (פִּטֵּ ם) calves for idolatry (see Rashi on Exod. 2: 16) and [who was also] of the seed of Joseph, who defied and fought (פִּטְפֵּט) against his passion [when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife].-[from B.B. 109b]

 

26 That is Aaron and Moses-Who are mentioned above [verse 20], whom Jochebed bore to Amram, [these two] are [the same] Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, etc. In some places, [Scripture] places Aaron before Moses, and in other places it places Moses before Aaron, to tell us that they were equal.-[from Mechilta, 7:1]

 

with their legions-Heb. ע ַל-צִבְאֽתָם [equivalent to בְּ צִ בְאֽתָם], with their legions. [I.e.,] all their legions according to their tribes. There are [examples] of עַל when it is used instead of one letter, [e.g.,] “you shall live by your sword  (עַל-חַרְבְּךָ)” (Gen. 27:40), [which is] the same as בְּחַרְבְּךָ [by your own sword]; You stood by your sword (עַל-חַרְבְּכֶם) (Ezek. 33:26), [which is the same as] בְּחַרְבְּכֶם .

 

27 They are the ones who spoke, etc.-[It was] they [who] are the ones who were commanded, and they are the ones who fulfilled [what they had been commanded to do, i.e., speak to Pharaoh].

 

they are Moses and Aaron-They remained in their mission and in their righteousness from beginning to end.-[from Meg. 11a]

 

28 Now it came to pass on the day that the Lord spoke, etc.-[This is] connected with the following verse: [“That the Lord spoke to Moses”].

 

29 that the Lord spoke-This is the very same speech stated above, “Come, speak to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt” (verse 11), but since [Scripture] interrupted the topic in order to trace their [Moses’ and Aaron’s] lineage, it returned to it [the statement, in order] to resume with it.

 

I am the Lord-I have the power to send you and [also] to fulfill the words of My mission.

 

30 But Moses said before the Lord-This is the statement [that Moses] stated above: “Behold, the children of Israel did not hearken to me” (verse 12). Scripture repeats it here because it had interrupted the topic [for the reasons given above], and this is customary, similar to a person who says, “Let us return to the earlier [topic].”

 

 

Chapter 7

 

1 I have made you a lord over Pharaoh-Heb. אֱלֽהִים, a judge and a chastiser, to chastise him with plagues and torments.-[from Onkelos and Tanchuma, Va’era 9]

 

will be your speaker-Heb. נְבִיאֶךָ, as the Targum renders: מְתוּרְגְמָנָךְ, your interpreter. Every expression of נְבוּאָה (prophecy) denotes a man who publicly announces to the people words of reproof. It is derived from the root of “I create the speech (נִיב) of the lips” (Isa. 57: 19); “speaks (יָנוּב) wisdom” (Prov. 10:31); “And he (Samuel) finished prophesying (מֵהִתְנַבוּת) ” (I Sam. 10:13). In Old French this is called predi(je) ir, advocate.-[based on Onkelos]

 

2 You shall speak-once every message, as you have heard it from My mouth, and Aaron, your brother, will interpret it and explain it in Pharaoh’s ears.-[from Tanchuma, Va’era 10]

 

3 But I will harden-Since he [Pharaoh] behaved wickedly and defied Me, and I know full well that there is no delight among the nations to make a wholehearted attempt to repent, it is better for Me that his heart be hardened, so that [I can] increase My signs and My wonders in him, and you will recognize My mighty deeds, and so is the custom of the Holy One, blessed be He. He brings retribution on the nations so that Israel should hear and fear, as it is said: “I have cut off nations; their towers have become desolate… I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me, you will accept reproof’” (Zeph. 3:6, 7). Nevertheless, in the first five plagues, it does not say, “And the Lord strengthened Pharaoh’s heart,” but “Pharaoh’s heart remained steadfast.”-[from Exod. Rabbah 13:3, 11:6; Tanchuma Buber, Va’era 22; Yeb. 63a]

 

5 My hand-A real hand, to strike them.

Reading Assignment:

 

The Torah Anthology: Yalkut Me’Am Lo’Ez - Vol IIIa: The Twelve Tribes

By: Rabbi Yaaqov Culi, Translated by: Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

Published by: Moznaim Publishing Corp. (New York, 1990)

Vol. 4 – “Israel in Egypt” pp. 111-153

 

 

Welcome to the World of Remes Exegesis

 

Thirteen rules compiled by Rabbi Ishmael b. Elisha for the elucidation of the Torah and for making halakic deductions from it. They are, strictly speaking, mere amplifications of the seven Rules of Hillel, and are collected in the Baraita of R. Ishmael, forming the introduction to the Sifra and reading a follows:

 

1. Ḳal wa-ḥomer: Identical with the first rule of Hillel.
2. Gezerah shawah: Identical with the second rule of Hillel.
3. Binyan ab: Rules deduced from a single passage of Scripture and rules deduced from two passages. This rule is a combination of the third and fourth rules of Hillel.
4. Kelal u-Peraṭ: The general and the particular.
5. u-Peraṭ u-kelal: The particular and the general.
6. Kelal u-Peraṭ u-kelal: The general, the particular, and the general.
7. The general which requires elucidation by the particular, and the particular which requires elucidation by the general.
8. The particular implied in the general and excepted from it for pedagogic purposes elucidates the general as well as the particular.
9. The particular implied in the general and excepted from it on account of the special regulation which corresponds in concept to the general, is thus isolated to decrease rather than to increase the rigidity of its application.
10. The particular implied in the general and excepted from it on account of some other special regulation which does not correspond in concept to the general, is thus isolated either to decrease or to increase the rigidity of its application.
11. The particular implied in the general and excepted from it on account of a new and reversed decision can be referred to the general only in case the passage under consideration makes an explicit reference to it.
12. Deduction from the context.
13. When two Biblical passages contradict each other the contradiction in question must be solved by reference to a third passage.

 

Rules seven to eleven are formed by a subdivision of the fifth rule of Hillel; rule twelve corresponds to the seventh rule of Hillel, but is amplified in certain particulars; rule thirteen does not occur in Hillel, while, on the other hand, the sixth rule of Hillel is omitted by Ishmael. With regard to the rules and their application in general. These rules are found also on the morning prayers of any Jewish Orthodox Siddur.

 

Ramban’s Commentary for:  Shemot (Exodus) 6:2 – 7:7

 

6:2. AND G-D SPOKE UNTO MOSES. Rashi explains that He spoke to him harshly[1] because he had been critical when he said, Wherefore have You dealt ill with this people?[2] AND HE SAID UNTO HIM: "I AM THE ETERNAL, Who am faithful to recompense reward to those who walk before Me wholeheartedly."[3] In this sense we find the phrase explained in many places, etc. 3. "AND I APPEARED UNTO ABRAHAM, etc., BY THE NAME 'E-IL SHA-DAI' (G-D ALMIGHTY). I made many promises to him,[4] and in all cases I said to him, I am God Almighty.[5] BUT BY MY NAME, THE ETERNAL, WAS I NOT KNOWN UNTO THEM." It was not written here, ["But My Name, the Eternal], I did not make known to them." Rather, it is written, [But by My Name, the Eternal], was I not known unto them, meaning: "I was not recognized by them in My attribute of keeping faith, by reason of which My Name is called Eternal, which denotes that I am certain to fulfill the words [of My promise]. Indeed I made promises to the patriarchs[6] but did not fulfill them [during their lifetime]."

 

All these are the words of Rashi. His intent is to explain that the fulfillment of His promise [to the patriarchs] had not taken place. Even though the time for the fulfillment had not arrived [in their lifetime, and consequently the absence of such fulfillment was no indication of a lack of His "keeping faith" since the time had not arrived], yet He was not known to the patriarchs in the fulfillment of His promise.

 

But with all this interpretation, Rashi has not properly explained the language of the text.[7] [According to his interpretation], it should be said, Lo Hodati ["and My Name, the Eternal, 'I did not make known' to them," instead of Lo Nodati (I was not made known), as the text reads]. Or it should have said, "and My Name, the Eternal, Lo Noda (was not known) to them." Perhaps according to Rashi's opinion, the sense of the verse is: "and My Name is the Eternal, V’Lo[8] Nodati Lahem," meaning that "I was not made known to them by that Name."

 

And the learned Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra explained that the letter beth of the words B'El Shadai (by the Name God Almighty) connected [with the ensuing words USh'mi HaShem, making it UBiSh'mi HaShem], which has the following meaning: "And I appeared unto Abraham, etc., by the Name El Shadai (God Almighty), but by My Name the Eternal I was not made known unto them."[9]

 

The purport of the verse is that He appeared to the patriarchs by this Name [El Shadai], which indicates that He is the victor [and prevailer][10] over the hosts of heaven, doing great miracles for them except that no change from the natural order of the world was noticeable, [as was the case with the miracles performed through Moses our teacher]. In famine, He redeemed them from death, and in war from the power of the sword,[11] and He gave them riches and honor and all the goodness, just like all the assurances mentioned in the Torah [in the section dealing] with the blessings and curses.[12]

 

It is not [in nature] that man should be rewarded for performance of a commandment or punished for committing a transgression but by a miracle. If man were left to his nature or his fortune, his deeds would neither add to him nor diminish from him. Rather, reward and punishment in this world, as mentioned in the entire scope of the Torah, are all miracles, but they are hidden. They appear to the onlooker as being part of the natural order of things, but in truth they come upon man as punishment and reward [for his deeds]. It is for this reason that the Torah speaks at great length of the assurances concerning this world, and does not explain the assurances of the soul in "the World of Souls."[13] These [assurances mentioned in the Torah as recompense for the observance or transgression of the Divine Commandments] are wonders which go contrary to nature,[14] while the existence of the soul [after the death of the body] and its cleaving unto G-d are the proper way inherent in its nature that she returns unto G-d Who gave it.[15] I will yet explain it further[16] if G-d accomplishes it for me.[17]

 

Thus God said to Moses: "I have appeared to the patriarchs with the might of My arm with which I prevail over the constellations and help those whom I have chosen, but with My Name Yod Hei with which all existence came into being I was not made known to them, that is, to create new things for them by the open change of nature. And Wherefore say unto the children of Israel: I am the Eternal,[18] and inform them once again of the Great Name, [i.e., the Tetragrammaton], for by that Name I will deal wondrously with them,[19] and they will know that I am the Eternal, that makes all things."[20]

 

All the words of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra on this matter were thus correct except that he was as one who prophesies but does not know it.[21] Even according to his interpretation, the verse should have said, "And I made Myself known to Abraham, etc., by the name of El Shadai, but by My Name HaShem, [which describes My true essence], I did not make Myself known to them," or it should have said, "but by the Name HaShem I did not appear to them."[22] However, Ibn Ezra can answer this by saying that because the prophecy of the patriarchs came to them in the visions of the night,[23] He said here, Va'era (And I appeared) to them, and because that of Moses was face to face[24] He said here, "I made Me not known to them [the patriarchs] as I made Myself known to you [Moses]."

 

By way of the Truth, [the mystic teachings of the Cabala], the verse can be explained in consonance with its plain meaning and intent.[25] He is saying: "I the Eternal appeared to the patriarchs through the speculum of El Shadai," just as is the sense of the verse, In a vision do I make Myself known to him.[26] "But Myself, I the Eternal did not make Myself known to them, as they did not contemplate [Me] through a lucid speculum so that they should know Me," just as is the sense of the verse, And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Eternal knew face to face.[27] The patriarchs did know the Proper Name of the Eternal, but it was not known to them through prophecy. Therefore when Abraham spoke with God, he mentioned the Proper Name together with the Name Aleph Dalet[28] or Aleph Dalet alone.[29] The purport thereof is that the revelation of the Divine Presence and His communication with them came to them through an ameliorated attribute of justice,[30] and with that attribute was His conduct towards them. But with Moses, His conduct and His recognition to him were by the attribute of mercy, which is indicated by His Great Name, [i.e., the Tetragrammaton — the Eternal], just as is denoted in the verse, He caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses,[31] and it is written, So did You lead Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name.[32] Therefore Moses does not henceforth mention the name El Shadai, for the Torah was given with His great Name, as it is said, I am the Eternal your G-d.[33] This is the sense of the verse, Out of heaven He made you to hear His voice, that He might instruct you; and upon earth He made you to see His great fire.[34] I have already alluded to the explanation of the word HaShamayim (the heaven).[35] May the Holy One, blessed be He, open our eyes and show us wonders in His Torah.

 

4. AND I HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED MY COVENANT WITH THEM ... AND MOREOVER I HAVE HEARD THE GROANING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.[36] The meaning thereof is as follows: "I have appeared to the patriarchs by the Name 'El Shadai' and I have also established this covenant [by this Divine Name] before Me, and moreover with My Great Name I have now heard the groaning of the children of Israel, and I have remembered My covenant which I have established for them with Me." The student learned [in the mystic lore of the Cabala] will understand.

 

Now as regards what our Rabbis have expounded:[37] i.e., that [the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses], "Alas for those that are gone, [namely, the patriarchs], and are no more to be found! Many a time did I reveal Myself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by the Name El Shadai, and I did not inform them that My Name is the Eternal as I have said it to you, and yet none of them cast aspersions upon My dealings with them, etc. Moreover, none of them asked Me what My Name is, as you asked. Right at the beginning of My mission, you said to Me, 'What is Your Name?[38] And at the end you said, For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has dealt ill with this people, etc.[39] It is in connection with this [complaint] that God said to Moses, And I have also established My covenant with them, etc.[40] The purport of this Midrash likewise fits in with the text.[41] The Rabbis, of blessed memory, found it difficult to understand why G-d mentioned the prophecy of the patriarchs altogether, diminishing their accomplishment in prophecy and saying that He appeared to them only by the Name of El Shadai. What purpose did that serve? He could have said, "I am the Eternal, and wherefore say unto the children of Israel: 'I am the Eternal, and I will bring you [from under the burdens of the Egyptians], and you will know that I am the Eternal Who brought you out.' "Therefore the Rabbis explained that the message constituted a rebuke to Moses, telling him: "Behold, the patriarchs, whose accomplishment in prophecy was not as high as yours inasmuch as they contemplated Deity only through the Name El Shadai, believed in Me, And I have also established My covenant with them, and I have heard the groaning of their children for their sake. Surely you who have known Me by the Great Name and whom I have given My assurance [by that Name], you should have trusted in [My] mercies and assured Israel in My Name that I will do signs and wonders for them." This interpretation too is correct and fitting.

 

6. AND I WILL BRING YOU OUT FROM UNDER THE BURDENS OF THE EGYPTIANS. He assured them that He will take them out from the land of the Egyptians and that they will no longer suffer from their heavy burden.

 

AND I WILL DELIVER YOU FROM THEIR BONDAGE. The Egyptians will no longer rule over them at all, nor will they subject them to be a servant under tribute[42] wherever they live.

 

AND I WILL REDEEM YOU. He will bring such judgments upon them until the Egyptians will say: "Here You have the Israelites as a redemption for our lives." The meaning of the word g'ulah (redemption) is close to the subject of mecher (sale), [thus implying that "I will buy you from the Egyptians"]. And the meaning of the expression, with an outstretched arm, is that His arm will be extended over them until He takes them out from Egypt.

7. AND I WILL TAKE YOU TO ME FOR A PEOPLE. That is, when you will come to Mount Sinai and you will accept the Torah. There, [at Mount Sinai], it was said, Then you will be Mine own treasure.[43]

 

AND YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE ETERNAL YOUR G-D WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT FROM UNDER THE BURDENS OF THE EGYPTIANS. The purport thereof, said Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra, is that it was in the combined mighty power of the higher constellations that the children of Israel should yet stay in the exile. But this is not of the theme of the chapter. Rather He says: "When I will redeem you with an outstretched arm visible to all nations, you will know that it is I the Eternal Who performs new signs and wonders in the world, and that I am your God and for your sake I had so acted, for you are the portions of the Eternal."[44]

 

8. AND I WILL BRING YOU IN UNTO THE LAND CONCERNING WHICH I LIFTED UP MY HAND. "I have lifted it up to swear by My throne." Thus the language of Rashi. Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra said that it is an idiom [denoting the exercise of power], just like a man who lifts his hand to the heavens and swears, such as: For I lift up My hand to heaven[45] [to take an oath of vengeance]; And he lifted up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore.[46]

 

By way of the Truth, [the mystic lore of the Cabala], I lifted up My hand means that "I have raised the strength of My arm to Myself that I will give them the Land." Similarly, For I lift up My hand to heaven[47] means that "I will lift up the great hand to the heavens since it abounds in eternal life."[48] But the verse, And he lifted up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven,[49] has no relevance here, for that was said concerning the angel clothed in linen,[50] who swore by Him that lives forever.[51]

 

9. BUT THEY HEARKENED NOT UNTO MOSES FOR IMPATIENCE OF SPIRIT, AND FOR CRUEL BONDAGE. It was not because they did not believe in G-d and in His prophet [that they hearkened not]. Rather, they paid no attention to his words because of impatience of spirit, as a person whose soul is grieved on account of his misery and who does not want to live another moment in his suffering even though he knows that he will be relieved later. The "impatience of spirit" was their fear that Pharaoh would put them to death, as their officers said to Moses,[52] and the "cruel bondage" was the pressure, for the taskmasters pressed upon them and hurried them [in their daily task],[53] which gave them no chance to hear anything and consider it.

 

10. AND THE ETERNAL SPOKE UNTO MOSES 'LEMOR' (SAYING). The commentators[54] said that throughout the entire Torah, the word Lemor means "saying to Israel," the purport thereof being that God said to Moses, "Say these, My words, to Israel." Here the word Lemor means "saying to Pharaoh." But the verse stating [Laban's words to Jacob], The Gd of your father spoke unto me yesterday night 'Lemor' (saying): Take heed to yourself that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad,[55] does not fit in correctly with this explanation [since Laban was not commanded to relate these words to Jacob]. Similarly, there are many cases in Scripture where the term "saying" is repeated, [and it is not correct to say that it means "saying it to others"]. Thus: And the Eternal spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them;[56] And the Eternal spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them;[57] And they [Moses and Aaron] spoke unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying;[58] And the children of Israel spoke unto Moses, saying: Behold we perish;[59] And I spoke unto you at that time, saying.[60] There are many other such verses. Likewise in this seder[61] we find: And the Eternal spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying: When Pharaoh will speak unto you, saying,[62] and the word "saying" cannot correctly mean "saying it to others."

 

The correct interpretation appears to me to be that in all places the word Lemor indicates the clarification of a subject. The verse, And the Eternal spoke unto Moses, saying, means really explicitly, free from doubt or uncertainty. This is why this expression always appears in the Torah, for of Moses' prophecy it was said, Mouth to mouth do I speak with him, even manifestly, and not in dark speeches.[63] And Laban also said to Jacob: "Yesternight God spoke unto me, saying[64] clearly that I should not harm you; except for that, I would have done you evil." Similarly, the verse, And the children of Israel spoke unto Moses, saying: Behold, we perish[65] means that they said so explicitly to Moses and Aaron, shouting to them brazenly. [In Hebrew], the infinitive is used for clarification of a subject. Occasionally, it comes before the verb,[66] and sometimes it comes after the verb, such as: 'omrim amor' (they surely say) unto them that despise Me.[67]

 

12. BEHOLD, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVE NOT HEARKENED UNTO ME because You have done nothing [for Israel] so that my words should be acceptable to them. AND HOW THEN WILL PHARAOH HEAR ME? AND besides, I AM OF UNCIRCUMCISED LIPS, and I am not fit to speak before a great king.

 

It is possible to explain that Moses thought that due to his deficiency — for he was of uncircumcised lips — the children of Israel would not hearken to him, for he could not frame [words] to speak [68] kindly to them, words of good cheer and comfort, and all the more how could he speak to Pharaoh?

 

Now the reason that Moses again broached this argument [of his speech-impediment, when he had already mentioned it above in Chapter 4, Verse 10], is that G-d did not originally command him that he was to speak before Pharaoh. He merely said, And you will come, you and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and you will say unto him.[69] In that case it was possible that the elders should speak [before Pharaoh] and Moses would remain silent. Then Moses said that he was ashamed even to speak to the people, saying, I am not a man of words.[70] Whereupon the Holy One, blessed be He, answered him, And he [Aaron] will be your spokesman unto the people.[71] And so indeed Moses and Aaron did when they first came to the people, as it is said, And Aaron spoke all the words which the Eternal had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.[72] But now Moses himself was commanded, Wherefore say unto the children of Israel: I am the Eternal,[73] and he did speak to them as He commanded him, but they did not hearken to him.[74] Now when He again commanded Moses to speak to Pharaoh,[75] Moses said, "How can I speak to him, I who am of uncircumcised lips." Then the Holy One, blessed be He, associated Aaron with him, and gave both of them a charge unto the children of Israel,[76] that they should say to them whatever He will command them, and unto Pharaoh[77] to bring them forth out of his land. Now Rashi commented: "[And He gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh, king of Egypt]. That is to say, He gave them a command with regard to the children of Israel and His mission on which He had sent them to Pharaoh. But there is no need for this.[78]

 

13. AND HE GAVE THEM A CHARGE UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. Rashi wrote: "The purport of this command is explained in the second section,[79] after the order of genealogy. [It properly belongs here], but because Scripture mentioned Moses and Aaron here, it interrupted the subject-matter [with the narrative of their genealogy], informing us how each was born and with whom they are connected by descent. And the Eternal spoke unto Moses in the land of Egypt, saying: I am the Eternal; speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak unto you.[80] This is the selfsame command which is mentioned here [in Verse 11]: Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt. However, because Scripture broke off the subject-matter in order to record their genealogy, it reverts to it [further in Verse 29] and begins it anew. And Moses said before the Eternal: Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how will Pharaoh hearken unto me?[81] This is the selfsame statement Moses made here [in Verse 12]: Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me, etc. However, because Scripture broke off the subject-matter [for the abovementioned reason], it repeats it there [further in Verse 30]. Such indeed is a proper method, just as a person who says, 'Let us return to the previous subject.'" And so also is the opinion of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra.

 

But I do not agree with this.[82] Rather, [it is my opinion] that when God commanded Moses to speak to the children of Israel — as it is said, Wherefore say unto the children of Israel  — he did so and they hearkened not unto him.[83] Then He commanded him to go before Pharaoh and bid him to let them go out of his land, and Moses answered: Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me, etc.[84] Then the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded both Moses and Aaron to speak to the people and to Pharaoh.[85] Moses thus thought that both of them — [he and Aaron] — are to take equal part in all the signs they are to do; both of them are to come to the children of Israel and to Pharaoh. But indeed [Moses reckoned that] it is sufficient that only one should speak, for such is the customary way of all pairs of emissaries, that one speaks and the other is silent. This was consented to, and then God said to him: "I am the Eternal,[86] Who revealed Myself to you only to speak in My Great Name. Speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak unto you, for it is to you that all communications are given, not to Aaron [primarily] and to you. It is you that I made the emissary to Pharaoh." Then Moses answered once again: Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, etc.[87] And G-d said to him: "See, I have set you in God's stead to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother will be your prophet.[88] You will go before Pharaoh with Aaron, and there [in Pharaoh's presence] you will command Aaron while Pharaoh will not hear your words, and Aaron as your emissary will make your words heard." This is just as G-d commands a prophet and the prophet makes His words audible and chastises [the people] with them. This was a great achievement for Moses,[89] which he merited by his humility since he was ashamed to speak because of his speech-impediment. And so Scripture says, Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.[90] It was measure for measure. He had been afraid lest he be despised in their eyes [on account of his defective speech, but Scripture testifies to the Egyptians' admiration of his greatness].

 

Now Rashi commented: "You will speak[91] each and every message once, just as you heard it from My mouth, and your brother Aaron will express it in eloquent language and explain it in Pharaoh's hearing." This is not correct at all.

 

14. THESE ARE THE HEADS OF THEIR FATHERS' HOUSES: THE SONS OF REUBEN.... Scripture did not wish to begin with the statement, And these ore the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations,[92] so that it should not appear that henceforth in honor of Moses, Levi is first in genealogy. Instead, [Scripture therefore] mentioned Levi's elder brothers, [i.e., Reuben and Simeon], and that Levi is counted third.

 

Now Scripture mentioned the sons of Levi according to their generations because in the case of Reuben and Simeon, it mentioned only those who went down to Egypt with them, but in the case of Levi it mentioned his children, the number of years of his life, the birth of the fathers of the prophets — [namely, Kohath the grandfather, and Amram the father of Moses and Aaron] — and the number of years of their lives,[93] all in honor of the prophets. Besides, they themselves — [Kohath and Amram] — were the pious ones of the Most High, worthy to be spoken of as the fathers of the world.

 

23. AND AARON TOOK HIMSELF ELISHEBA, THE DAUGHTER OF AMMINADAB, THE SISTER OF NACHSHON TO WIFE. Just as Scripture mentioned the mother of the prophets, [namely, Jochebed],[94] in their honor, saying that she was the daughter of Levi, a righteous/generous man, and alluding to the fact that a miracle occurred to her,[95] it also mentioned the mother of priesthood, i.e., that she was related to the seed of royalty, being the sister of the great prince [Nachshon of the tribe of Judah].

 

Scripture mentioned the mother of Phinehas,[96] for he too was a priest, a reward which he earned himself.[97] Now if this name Putiel — [Phinehas' maternal grandfather] — is a proper name, it is not clear why Scripture [suddenly] mentions the name of a person whose identity we do not know. It is for this reason that our Rabbis have said[98] that Phinehas was of the family of Joseph, who conquered his passion,[99] and of the family of Jethro, who fattened[100] calves for idolatrous sacrifice, and he is mentioned for praise [here together with Aaron and his sons], who for their righteousness/generosity were worthy to be endowed with everlasting priesthood.

 

In line with the plain meaning of Scripture, we will say [that the mothers of Moses and Aaron, of Aaron's sons, and of Phinehas are mentioned here because] in the case of kings, it is the customary way of Scripture to mention the names of their mothers: And his mother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom;[101] And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi;[102] and so in all cases. It may be that [Scripture does not relate more about Putiel because] he was an honorable and known person in his generation, and it [sufficed just to] mention him in praise.

 

Scripture says, of the daughters of Putiel,[103] and not "the daughter of Putiel," because Putiel had many daughters and Eleazar chose one of them. It may be that she was not his daughter but his daughter's daughter who related herself to him on account of his distinction, and therefore Scripture did not mention her name.

 

28. AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE DAY WHEN THE ETERNAL SPOKE UNTO MOSES IN THE LAND OF EGYPT. It is possible to explain that the verse refers to the one above.[104] Scripture is thus stating: "And it came to pass that it was they — [Moses and Aaron] - who spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt[105] at the time when the Eternal spoke unto Moses in the land of Egypt." For since Scripture said, These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the Eternal said: Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,[106] it might have appeared that the communication came to both of them equally. Therefore it now explains [in Verse 28] that the communication came to Moses, and the command to bring them forth from Egypt was to both of them. This is why Scripture closed the chapter [of the genealogy of Moses and Aaron with this subject].

 

3. AND I WILL HARDEN PHARAOH'S HEART. The Rabbis said in Midrash Rabbah:[107] "G-d revealed to Moses that He was destined to harden Pharaoh's heart in order to bring judgment upon him for he caused them to work in cruel bondage." It is also stated there [in Midrash Rabbah]:[108] "For I have hardened his heart.[109] Rabbi Yochanan said, 'This provides a pretext for the heretics to say that G-d did not allow Pharaoh to repent.' Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said, 'The mouths of the heretics be closed! Only, if it concerns the scorners, He scorns them.[110] When He warns one on three occasions and he does not turn from his ways, He closes the door of repentance on him in order to punish him for his sin. Such was the case with wicked Pharaoh. After the Holy One, blessed be He, sent him five times[111] [the request to let His people go] and he paid no attention to His words, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You have stiffened your neck and hardened your heart; I will double your defilement.'" [112]

 

The Rabbis [in the above Midrash] have thus discussed the question which all ask:[113] "If G-d hardened his heart, what then was Pharaoh's sin?" For this there are two explanations, and both of them are true. One is that Pharaoh in his wickedness had unjustifiably perpetrated such great evils against Israel that justice required that the ways of repentance be withheld from him, as is so indicated in many places in the Torah and in the Writings.[114] He was judged according to his wickedness which he had originally committed of his own will. The second explanation is that half of the plagues came upon him because of his transgressions, for in connection with them it is only said: And Pharaoh's heart was hardened;[115] And Pharaoh hardened his heart.[116] Thus Pharaoh refused to let the children of Israel go for the glory of God. But when the plagues began bearing down upon him and he became weary to suffer them, his heart softened and he bethought himself to send them out on account of the onslaught of the plagues, not in order to do the will of his Creator. Then God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate,[117] so that His name may be declared [throughout all the earth].[118] Similar in meaning is the verse, Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself, and I will make Myself known in the eyes of many nations, and they will know that I am the Eternal.[119] And that which He said before the plagues, And I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go,[120] was merely His warning to Moses of that which He was destined to do to Pharaoh in the last [five] plagues, it being similar to that which He said, And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go.[121] This then is the meaning of the verse [before us], And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs. That is to say, "I will harden his heart so that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt," [122] since in the last five plagues, as well as at the drowning in the sea, it is said, And the Eternal hardened the heart of Pharaoh[123] for the king's heart is in the hand of the Eternal; He turns it whithersoever He will.[124]

 

Ketubim: Psalms ‎‎‎45:1-18

                                                                          

Rashi’s Translation	Targum
1. For the conductor on shoshannim, of the sons of Korah, a maskil a song of loves.	1. For praise; concerning those who sit in the Sanhedrin of Moses, which was spoken in prophecy by the sons of Korah; a good lesson, and a psalm, and a thanksgiving.
2. My heart is astir with a good theme; I say, "My works are for a king; my tongue is a pen of an expert scribe."	2. My heart desires fine speech; I will speak my work to the king; the utterance of my tongue is quick, like the pen of a fluent scribe.
3. You are more handsome than [other] men; charm is poured into your lips. Therefore, God blessed you forever.	3. Your beauty, O King Messiah, is greater than the sons of men; the spirit of prophecy has been placed on your lips; because of this the LORD has blessed you forever.
4. Gird a sword on your thigh, O mighty one, your majesty and your glory.	4. Gird your sword on your thigh, O champion; your glory and your brilliance is to kill kings as well as rulers.
5. And your glory is that you will pass and ride for the sake of truth and righteous humility, and it shall instruct you so that your right hand shall perform awesome things.	5. And your brilliance is great; therefore you will succeed in mounting the horse of the kingdom, by reason of faithfulness and truth and humility and righteousness/generosity; and the LORD will teach you to do fearful things with your right hand.
6. Your arrows are sharpened, nations shall fall under you, in the heart of the king's enemies.	6. Your arrows are drawn to kill Gentile hordes; beneath you they will fall; and the sons of your bow will be released into the heart of the enemies of the king.
7. Your throne, O judge, [will exist] forever and ever; the scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.	7. The throne of Your glory, O LORD, lasts forever and ever; the sceptre of Your kingdom is an upright sceptre.
8. You loved righteousness and you hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with oil of joy from among your peers.	8. Because you have loved righteousness/generosity and hated wickedness because of this the LORD your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your fellows.
9. Myrrh and aloes and cassia are all your garments; more than ivory palaces, those that are Mine will cause you to rejoice.	9. Pure myrrh and aloe-wood and cassia your garments are perfected, from the palaces paved with ivory below; from Me they will make you glad.
10. The daughters of kings will visit you; the queen will stand at your right [bedecked] with golden jewelry from Ophir.	10. The provinces of the kingdom come to welcome you and to honor you, while the book of Torah is stationed at your right side, and written in gold from Ophir.
11. Hearken, daughter, and see, and incline your ear, and forget your people and your father's house.	11. Hear, O congregation of Israel, the Torah of His mouth, and see the wonders of His deeds, and incline your ear to the words of Torah, and you will forget the evil deeds of the wicked of your people, and the place of idols that you worshipped in the house of your father.
12. And the King shall desire your beauty, for He is your Lord, and prostrate yourself to Him.	12. And then the king will desire your beauty; for he is your master and you will bow down to Him.
13. And the daughter of Tyre shall seek your presence with tribute, those who are the richest of the people.	13. And those who dwell in the fortress of Tyre will come with an offering, and the rich Gentiles will seek Your face at Your sanctuary.
14. All honor [awaits] the King's daughter who is within; her raiment is superior to settings of gold.	14. All the best and choicest sacrifices from the provinces, the treasuries of the kings that are hidden within, will they bring for the priests whose clothing is chased with pure gold.
15. With embroidered garments, she will be brought to the King; and virgins in her train who are her companions will be brought to You.	15. In their decorated garments they will offer their sacrifices before the King of the world, and the rest of their fellows who are scattered among the Gentiles will be brought in joy to You to Jerusalem.
16. They shall be brought with joy and exultation; they shall come forth into the King's palace.	16. They will be brought in joy and praise and they will enter the temple of the king of ages.
17. Instead of your forefathers will be your sons; you shall appoint them as princes throughout the land.	17. In the place of your fathers will be the righteous/ generous, your sons; you will appoint them as leaders in all the land.
18. I will mention Your name in every generation; therefore peoples shall thank You forever and ever.	18. At that time you will say, "We will invoke Your name in every generation"; because of this the Gentiles who are converted will praise your name forever and ever and ever.

 

 

Rashi’s Commentary on Psalms ‎‎‎‎45:1-18

 

1 on shoshannim They founded this psalm in honor of the Torah scholars, who are as tender as roses and as beautiful as roses, and perform good deeds as fresh as roses.

 

a maskil Through an interpreter.

 

a song of loves Heb. שיר ידידות, a song of loves, a song of praise for them [the Torah scholars] to endear them to the people and to endear their Torah to them [the people].

 

2 My heart is astir In this manner, the Psalmist commenced his song: My heart caused a good theme to swarm within me in your praise, O Torah scholar.

 

is astir Heb. רחש, an expression of moving, and so is every expression of swarming and crawling.

 

I say, “My works are for a king” This song, which I have founded and composed, I say to one who is fit to be a king, as it is stated (Prov. 8:15): “Kings reign with me.”

 

my tongue is as poetic as the pen of an expert scribe. I saw in the commentary of Rabbi Moses the Preacher: מָהִיר in Arabic means expert.

 

3 You are more handsome than [other] men who engage in the work of transitory life. Why? Because charm is poured into your lips to instruct according to the halachah. הוּצַק means “poured,” as (Exod. 38:27): “to cast (לצקת) ”; (Gen. 28:18), “and he poured (ויצק) oil.”

 

Therefore...blessed you as it is stated (below 29:11): “The Lord shall grant strength to His people.” And what is their reward? “The Lord shall bless His people with peace.”

 

4 Gird a sword on your thigh to wage the war of Torah, and that is your majesty and that is your glory.

 

5 for the sake of truth To instruct according to the law and to behave with righteous/generous humility.

 

and it shall instruct you The Torah and the matter of truth in which you shall engage shall teach you tactics of war so that your right should perform awesome things. Since he mentions the study of Torah in an expression of war, the expression of the right hand, prepared to fight, is appropriate (i.e., it is customary to fight with the right hand).

 

6 Your arrows are sharpened, etc., in the heart of the king’s enemies Heb. שְּׁנוּנִים, is aiguises in French, sharpened. This is a transposed verse. We find that the disciples are called arrows, as it is stated (above 127:4): “As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.” And Torah scholars who argue with each other about halachah are called enemies to each other for the time, as it is stated: “they will not be ashamed when they speak with the enemies in the gate.”

 

nations shall fall under you As a reward for Torah, nations shall fall under Israel.

 

7 Your throne, O judge Your throne, O prince and judge, shall exist forever and ever, as the matter that is stated (Exod. 7:1): “I have made you a judge (נתתיך אלהים) over Pharaoh.” And why? Because “a scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom,” that your judgments are true, and you are fit to govern.

 

8 anointed you...with oil of joy Every expression of greatness is depicted by the anointment of oil, as is the custom of the kings.

 

9 Myrrh and aloes and cassia Heb. קדה (Exod. 30:24) is translated קציעתא, cassia.

 

all your garments All your garments smell with the fragrance of spices. Its midrashic interpretation is: All your betrayals (בגידותיך) and sins are expiated and smell of a fragrant scent.

 

more than ivory palaces, those that are Mine will cause you to rejoice More than the best ivory palaces, are the palaces that are prepared for you in Paradise to cause you to rejoice with them. שֵּׁן is ivoire in French, ivory.

 

those that are Mine will cause you to rejoice The palaces that are Mine they will make you rejoice, those that give you your reward.

 

10 The daughters of kings will visit you, as the matter that is stated (Isa. 49: 23): “and their princesses your wet nurses.”

 

will visit you lit. your visitors. Heb. ביקרותיך. The “kaph” is punctuated with a “dagesh” because it is an expression of visiting, although it is preceded by a “yud.” I saw in Rav Saadia’s punctuation that this word is arranged with (Isa. 42:24), “Who subjected Jacob to plunder (למשיסה),” which is written with a “yud” although the “sammech” is punctuated with a “dagesh.” Menachem, however, associated it as an expression of value, as (Job 28:16): “with precious (יקר) onyx.

 

the queen Heb. שגל, the queen, as (Neh. 2:6): “and the queen (השגל) was sitting beside him”; (Dan. 5:2), “and they shall drink with them, the king and his nobles, his queen (שגלתה) and his concubines.” Your wife will stand at your right.

 

with golden jewelry from Ophir with a collection of golden ornaments that comes from Ophir.

 

11 Hearken, daughter, and see Hearken, O nation of Israel, and see the good way.

 

and incline your ear to the Torah.

 

and forget your people The nations among whom you were raised.

 

and your father’s house The idolatry that your fathers worshipped on the other side of the river.

 

12 And the King shall desire your beauty And if you do this, the King, the Holy One, blessed be He, will desire the beauty of your deeds.

 

13 And the daughter of Tyre shall seek your presence with tribute Heb. יחלו, as (Exod. 32:11): “And Moses prayed (ויחל).” And as reward for this, you will merit that those who are now the richest of the people will bring you tribute and gifts.

 

14 All honor [awaits] the King’s daughter who is within, etc. Those who deserve all honor, and they are the nation of the King, who behaved with modesty now their garments will be more esteemed than the settings of gold of the High Priests. משבצוֹת is chatons in French, settings.

 

15 With embroidered garments, she will be brought to the King In embroidered garments, they will bring her as a gift to the King of all the earth. רקמוֹת is a broderies in French. This is what is stated (Isa. 66: 20): “And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a tribute, etc.”

 

virgins in her train who are her companions Some of the idolatrous nations will follow them, as the matter that is stated (Zech. 8:23): “shall take hold of the skirt of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ “

 

will be brought to You The Psalmist addresses the Holy One, blessed be He.

 

17 Instead of your forefathers, etc. He addresses each Israelite.

 

18 I will mention Your name The Psalmist addresses the Holy One, blessed be He.

 

Meditation from the Psalms

Psalms ‎‎45:1-18

By: H.Em. Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David

 

This is a song of praise for the Sages of the Sanhedrin of Moshe, composed prophetically by the sons of Qorach.^[125]

 

Qorach, supported by two hundred fifty leaders of the Congregation of Israel, challenged the Divine authority of Moshe and slandered him with vicious accusations of selfishness and falsehood.^[126] The sons of Qorach repented and sought to undo their father’s treachery by portraying Moshe and all authentic Torah scholars in the light of truth, emphasizing their boundless generosity and scrupulous honesty.

 

Indeed, the salvation of Qorach’s sons, who originally collaborated with their rebellious father, was a direct result of their respect for Moshe. While they were sitting with their father, Moshe passed by. Qorach’s sons were in a quandary. They pondered: If we stand to honor Moshe, we will disgrace our father; but if we sit, we will breach the Torah’s command to rise in the presence of a Sage, finally they decided that it was preferable to honor the scholar, Moshe, despite the affront to their father. At that moment, the spark of sincere repentance began to flicker in their hearts.^[127]

 

The Torah scholar resembles the soshanna, ששנה, rose, a delicate flower surrounded by thorns, which seem ready to pierce the rose’s fragile petals. Actually, these brambles protect the rose by discouraging the hands which try to pluck it. Similarly, those who originally oppose the Sages (who represent God) will ultimately recognize the Sages’ truly splendid virtues and become their guardians and supporters.

 

The Midrash and commentaries relate this psalm to several individuals described in Scripture. At first Abraham was universally ostracized for his teachings, but he was later acclaimed as the leading citizen of the world. At first David was vilified and pursued, but he was finally accepted as ruler and king. At first Mashiach was challenged, but he will ultimately become the universal sovereign. Alshich and Malbim interpret this psalm as a description of the coarse body, which at first hinders the development of the soul, but is eventually trained to assist it.

 

Alshich^[128] and Hirsch^[129] also explain this psalm as a wedding song celebrating the marriage of a bride and groom, who begin marriage with two very different and sometimes conflicting personalities, but who ultimately blend together in perfect sublime harmony. In light of these interpretations, the Psalm’s title, שיר ידידת, A song of endearment, is highly appropriate.^[130]

 

According to Rashi, this psalm was composed in honor of the Torah scholars who are as tender as the rose, beautiful as the rose, and saturated with the good deeds as the fresh, moist rose. Just as the rose contains many exquisite petals, so is the Torah sage composed of a variety of scholarly attainments.^[131]

 

Ibn Ezra^[132] understood the king as being David.^[133] However, the Targum and Kimchi understood this Psalm to refer to Mashiach, and the marriage referred to His redemption of Israel.^[134]

 

At a Drash^[135] level we can understand that if this is a wedding song, then the bride (kallah - Queen^[136]) alludes to Israel, and the chatan (groom - King^[137]) alludes to Mashiach.^[138] The bride must, therefore, be a Torah scholar. In a sense, we can also understand the chatan as the Living Torah.

 

Rashi^[139] connects our Torah portion and Psalm in v.7:

 

Tehillim (Psalms) 45:7 Your throne, O judge^[140] Your throne, O prince and judge, shall exist forever and ever, as the matter that is stated (Exod. 7:1): “I have made you a judge (נְתַתִּיךָ אֱלֹהִים) over Pharaoh.” And why? Because “a scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom,” that your judgments are true, and you are fit to govern.

 

Rashi tells us that v.7 of our psalm speaks of Moshe in his role of judge (Elohim) over Paro. Moshe is also in the role of the redeemer, king, and judge of the Bne Israel.

 

Our sages stated that whatever pertains to the first redeemer [i.e., Moses] pertains to the final redeemer [i.e., the Mashiach] and that the generation that passes [away] is [the same] as the generation that is to come [i.e., be resurrected].^[141]

 

Rabbi Pinchas Winston made an extremely interesting observation: “Who knows, maybe this is really the meaning of “Mashiach ben Yosef.” Maybe the Mashiach who is a “son” of Yosef is just the redeemer who ends the process that Yosef himself started millennia ago.”

 

Mashiach ben David is said to have the soul of Moshe. This provides another reason for linking these two redeemers together!

 

Midrash Rabbah - Numbers XI:2 ‘My beloved is like a gazelle ‘: Israel, explained R. Isaac, said to the Holy One, blessed be He: ‘Sovereign of the Universe! Thou hast told us that Thou wilt come to us first.’ ‘My beloved is like a gazelle’; as the gazelle appears and then disappears, so the first redeemer appeared and then disappeared. R. Berekiah in the name of R. Levi said: Like the first redeemer so will the final redeemer be. The first redeemer was Moses, who appeared to them and then disappeared. For how long did he disappear from their sight? R. Tanhuma said: Three months; accordingly it is written, And they met Moses and Aaron, etc. (ib. V, 20).2 The final redeemer will also appear to them and then disappear. How long will he remain hidden from them? R. Tanhuma in the name of R. Hama, son of R. Hoshaya, said: Forty-five days. Thus it is written, And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the detestable thing that causeth appalment set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (Dan. XII, 11), and it is written, Happy is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days (ib. 12). How much does the difference amount to? Forty-five days. For he will disappear from their sight and will then again appear to them. Whither will he take them? Some say to the wilderness of Judah, and some say to the wilderness of Sihon and Og.

 

The Chatam Sofer,^[142] as well, describes Moshe, the first redeemer, and then compares him to the final redeemer: “And when the time comes, HaShem will reveal Himself to him, and the spirit of Mashiach, which has been hidden in the higher worlds until his coming, will light upon him.”

 

The Exodus from Egypt is the prototype for the final redemption, when Mashiach will come, and slavery and suffering will be banished forever from the face of the earth. The Torah gives us a clue that helps us to see that our future redemption is related to our past redemption:

 

Micah 7:12-17 In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, even from Egypt to the Euphrates and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds. Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago. “As in the days of your Exodus from Egypt, I will show [the people] wonders.” Nations will see and be ashamed, deprived of all their power. They will lay their hands on their mouths and their ears will become deaf. They will lick dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in fear to HaShem our God and will be afraid of you.

 

We would have expected this verse to read, “…I will show you wonders” and “As in the days when he went out of Egypt….”

 

In this case, the verse would read, “As in the days when he [i.e., Moses, or the generation of the exodus] went out of Egypt, I will show you [the Mashiach, or the generation of the final redemption] wonders.”

 

The verse is instead written the way it is to indicate that you [i.e., the final generation] yourself went out of Egypt, and that you yourself are that generation which HaShem will now show new wonders. Look at that again. Think about those words and the implications.

 

Thus the future redemption will be characterized by miracles that transcend the natural order. The Targum Yonatan ben Uziel^[143] contains a very definite description of each plague, where it is in Tanach^[144] and how it will happen. In fact, the future redemption will be just like the redemption from Egypt in the days of Moshe!

 

Pesikta De-Rab Kahana 7:11 R. Levi said in the name of R. Hama bar R. Hanina: With the very means by which He punished the former He will punish the latter. As He punished Egypt with blood, so, too, He will punish Edom-[Rome], for it is written I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS AND IN THE EARTH, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND PILLARS OF SMOKE [OVER EDOM] (Joel 3:3). As Egypt, frogs; so, too, Edom: THE SOUND OF AN UPROAR FROM THE CITY [OF ROME], AN UPROAR BECAUSE OF THE TEMPLE [WHICH ROME DESTROYED], AN UPROAR OF THE L-RD WHO RENDERETH RECOMPENSE TO HIS ENEMIES (Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 66: 6). As Egypt, gnats; so, too, Edom with gnats: THE STREAMS [OF BOZRAH] SHALL BE TURNED INTO PITCH, AND THE DUST THEREOF INTO BRIMSTONE, AND THE LAND THEREOF SHALL BECOME BURNING PITCH (Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 34:9); SMITE THE DUST OF THE EARTH, THAT IT MAY BECOME GNATS (Shemot [Exodus] 8:12). As Egypt, all kinds of wild beasts; so, too, Edom: THE PELICAN AND THE BITTERN SHALL POSSESS IT, etc. (Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 34:11). As Egypt, pestilence; so, too, Edom: I WILL PLEAD AGAINST [GOG] WITH PESTILENCE AND WITH BLOOD (Yehezekel [Ezekiel] 38:22). As Egypt, boils; so, too, Edom: THIS SHALL BE THE PLAGUE WHEREWITH THE L-RD WILL SMITE ALL THE PEOPLES THAT HAVE WARRED AGAINST JERUSALEM: THEIR FLESH SHALL CONSUME AWAY WHILE THEY STAND UPON THEIR FEET (Zechariah (Zechariah) 14:12). As Egypt, hail; so, too, EDOM: I WILL CAUSE TO RAIN UPON [GOG] . . . AN OVERFLOWING SHOWER AND GREAT HAILSTONES (Yehezekel [Ezekiel] 38:22). As Egypt, locusts; so, too, Edom: AND THOU, SON OF MAN, THUS SAITH THE L-RD G-D: SPEAK UNTO THE BIRDS OF EVERY SORT . . . THE FLESH OF THE MIGHTY SHALL YE EAT . . . BLOOD SHALL YE DRINK . . . YE SHALL EAT FAT TILL YE BE FULL, AND DRINK BLOOD TILL YE BE DRUNKEN (Yehezekel [Ezekiel] 39:17-19). As Egypt, darkness; so, too, Edom with darkness: HE SHALL STRETCH OVER [EDOM] THE LINE OF [DARK] CHAOS AND THE PLUMMET OF EMPTINESS (Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 34:11). As with Egypt He took each of the chiefest among them and slew them, so, too, with Edom: A GREAT SLAUGHTER IN THE LAND OF EDOM, AMONG THEM TO COME DOWN SHALL BE THE REMIM (Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 34:6-7), that is, as R. Meir expounded it-among those to come down shall be the Romans, [pre-eminent among all the peoples of Edom].

 

To drive this point home, it is worth noting that Moshe’s song, in Shemot (Exodus) 15:1-19, is rendered in the text as present tense, but the Hebrew has this in the future tense:

 

Shemot (Exodus) 15:1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang (will sing) this song to the Lord, and they spoke, saying, I will sing to the Lord, for very exalted is He; a horse and its rider He cast into the sea.

 

Think about the implications of that! Now is a good time to learn that song as we sing those words in our morning prayers. This same song will be sung at the future redemption, as we can see in Sefer Revelation:

 

Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

 

Thus we have again, a connection between the redemption in the days of Moshe and the Messianic redemption, as we will sing THIS song on both occasions.

 

The Midrash also relates Micah 7:15 to the future redemption and its relationship to the redemption from Egypt:

 

Midrash Rabbah - Shemot (Exodus) XV:11 Another explanation of THIS MONTH SHALL BE UNTO YOU. It is written: Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord (Ps. XXXIII, 12). When God chose His world,^[145] He appointed New Moons [i.e. months] and years therein, and when He chose Yaaqov and his sons, He appointed for them a New Moon of redemption in which Israel were redeemed from Egypt and in which they are destined to be redeemed again, as it says: As in the days of thy coming forth out of the land of Egypt^[146] will I show unto him marvelous things.^[147]

 

The Torah tells us that the final redemption will be very much like our first redemption from Egypt, but will be accompanied by even more wonders and miracles. It follows that if the entry and settlement of the land of Israel was supposed to be accomplished in a supernatural manner the first time, how much more so will it be miraculous in our own times, with the Messianic redemption!

 

What happened on that fateful Passover night, that will not repeat itself in the final redemption? Two things will not happen again, says the Prophet Isaiah 52.

1. In the final redemption they will go out without hurry.

2. They, and their Mashiach, will not be so liked by their former masters.

 

The Egyptian redemption and the final redemption in the days of Mashiach are given expression in the Seder through several devices. We see it in the division of the four cups of wine, we see it in the division of the Hallel, and we see it in the division of the Seder itself.

 

The Seder^[148] itself is divided by the meal. The Haggada^[149] speaks of our redemption from Egypt before the meal, and it speaks of the final messianic redemption from the meal onward. The four cups of wine and the Hallel follow this division. This means that we re-enact the first and second redemptions, at the seder!

 

Now let’s examine an interesting pasuk which speaks of the time of the end:^[150]

 

Bereshit (Genesis) 41:1 It happened at the end (mikeitz) of two years to the day…

 

So begins the parshah speaking of Yosef’s freedom, as history begins to accelerate in order to propel Yosef from the depths of enslavement to the height of empowerment. However, the word “keitz” is a special word, often denoting the historic arrival at a certain pre-destined time by which something is meant to happen, specifically with respect to redemption. A keitz is an appointed time, a pre-designated immutable moment in Jewish history, and through that time some form of redemption MUST occur, even if history has to be turned upside down to bring it about. If need be, HaShem will have one nation attack another, and trigger a war that involves massive armies and expenditures just to bring about a keitz,^[151] and this is what the Talmud^[152] means when it uses this term with respect to the Final Redemption:

 

Sanhedrin 97b Rav said, “All the dates of redemption (hakeitzin) have already passed, and now it depends upon repentance and good deeds.” Shmuel said, “It is enough that the mourner remains in mourning!” This is like an earlier disagreement: Rebi Eliezer said, “If Israel will repent then they will be redeemed, and if they will not, then they will not.” Rebi Yehoshua said to him, “If they do not repent they will not be redeemed?! Rather, The Holy One, Blessed is He, will cause to rise a king who will make decrees as difficult as Haman’s were and Israel will repent and return to the right path”.

 

Thus, when the Torah employs the term keitz, it is not merely informing us that twelve years have passed since Yosef was first thrown into prison, and he just “happened” to earn his release at that time. Rather, Yosef HaTzadiq earned his release from jail then, because history reached a moment in time, a moment that was pre-designated long before Yosef was even born, with the ultimate redemption in mind.

 

Call them spiritual milestones, it is the keitzin that dictate the “beat” of history at any given point in time. Thus, Yosef did not find release from prison because of Pharaoh’s dreams, but rather, Pharaoh was made to dream as he did because Yosef was meant to be released precisely at that time. Thus, the Arizal taught:

 

Sha’ar HaGilgulim,^[153] Chapter 31 However, Yosef did not merit this until the night of the “end of two years”,^[154] when it was decreed that he should leave jail; that day he rose to greatness. Therefore, it is what is written, “(He appointed it as a testimony to Yosef) when He went out over the land of Egypt, when I heard a language unknown to me”.^[155] That night, Gavriel came and taught him seventy languages.^[156]

 

How many keitzin are there throughout history? The Vilna Gaon^[157] speaks about 1,000 of them to be exact:

 

Kol HaTor,^[158] Chapter 4:3 The beginning of anything large or small that can be performed during the Period of Mashiach is through the “me’yudim” - designated “emissaries” - Heaven-sent messengers at the beginning of the redemption. They initiate the “ye’udim” - specific “events” - and the two of them together result in the “moadim” - the “appointed times” - the end-times^[159] of the levels of the footsteps which are initiated from Below, in order to achieve the number 999 in [the sefirah of] Yesod.

 

Nine hundred and ninety-nine (999)? What happened to 1,000? The GR”A explains:

 

Kol HaTor, Chapter 5:1 Every rectification must reach the final level of initiation from Below, which is 1000 less one, that is, 999 of [the sefirah] Yesod. This is the largest number of Mashiach ben Yosef, based upon the verse, “the smallest will be for a thousand”.^[160]

 

In other words, the Gaon is teaching, Mashiach ben Yosef is both a process and a leader. The sefirah that corresponds to Yosef HaTzadiq, and therefore his descendant, Mashiach ben Yosef, is the sixth sefirah, Yesod, which is also the cosmic DNA for the Sixth Millennium in which we are living. There have been many keitzin throughout Jewish history, but there are 1,000 in the Sixth Millennium alone, 999 of which we can achieve from below, the last of which is completed by Heaven (through Mashiach himself) to finalize the redemption.

 

Exactly what all these “ends” are, the Gaon does not explain, at least not here. And, though it may not be clear exactly what each of these levels represent, the Vilna Gaon does warn that as we approach the final and 999th level, the Sitra Achra, the Opposing Angel, will be at his strongest, and for two reasons. First, knowing that his end is imminent with the coming of the Final Redemption,^[161] he will need to fight for survival like never before; and second, for the added strength of the yetzer hara, because free will, the overall purpose of creation, demands a balanced choice. Therefore, as clarity of truth increases, so must the temptation to reject it increase as well. The trick, and source of one ‘s spiritual survival will be knowing whether or not our rejection of information is rooted in our yetzer tov, or our yetzer hara, something that is a lot easier to do on paper than in practice.

 

Can we recognize when we have reached a new “keitz” along the path to number 999, and more importantly, do we know how many we have left to achieve to reach the final one? Not very likely. After all, did Yosef, his father, or his brothers, realize back then how each of their actions Below triggered something Above, bringing about a new result along the path to Yosef ‘s redemption and promotion? It doesn’t seem so.

 

As the Talmud says, the Final Redemption will mirror the exodus from Egypt.

 

Sanhedrin 111a  It has been taught: R. Simai said: It says, And I will take you to me for a people,^[162] and it is also said, And I will bring you in [unto the land etc.]. Their exodus from Egypt is thus likened to their entry into the [promised] land: just as at their entry into the [promised] land there were but two out of six hundred thousand,^[163] so at their exodus from Egypt there were but two out of six hundred thousand.^[164] Raba said: It shall be even so in the days of the Messiah, for it is said, And she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the days when she came up out of the land of Egypt.^[165]

 

Thus, it can be assumed, that when the Redeemer finally appears and is a vehicle for the same Light of Redemption that Moshe Rabbeinu reflected, there will be a great and dramatic change in the Jewish people, and all the years of assimilation will give way to masses of Jews repenting, ready to return to Eretz Israel,^[166] with the Holy Sparks that we had been exiled to redeem, way back when.

 

However, there is only one thing to remember: Only ONE-FIFTH of the Jewish people left Egypt.^[167] This was because, in spite of the seven plagues that had already revealed HaShem’s intention to redeem the Jewish people, four-fifths of the population had little, if any, desire at all to leave Egypt:

 

The exodus from Egypt liberated only one out of five Jews, and some say one out of every fifty, because all those who were bound to Egypt and did not want to depart, died in the three days of darkness and were not privileged to leave. That is, only those who desired redemption with all their hearts were redeemed. The Final Redemption, likewise, depends upon our yearning.^[168]

 

In Egypt the redemption was connected to birth. The crossing of the Sea of Reeds was called the “birth of the nation of Israel”.^[169] Just as the birth of Israel was preceded by birth pangs (10 plagues), so also will the final redemption be a birth that is preceded by birth pangs (plagues).^[170]

 

Negative prophecies don’t have to come true. However, only we, by making the correct free-will choices, can invalidate them.

 

In our seder this week we see the beginning of our redemption (and yes, it was also the beginning of the redemption in the days of Moshe). It is my fervent prayer that our teshuva should be complete and that we all should merit our redemption.  Amen V’Amen!

לְשָׁנָה   הַבָּאָה   בִּירוּשַׁלָיִם.

Next Year In Jerusalem!

 

 

Ashlamatah: Isaiah 52:6-13 + 53:4-5‎

 

Rashi’s Translation	Targum
1. ¶ Awaken, awaken, put on your strength, O Zion; put on the garments of your beauty, Jerusalem the Holy City, for no longer shall the uncircumcised or the unclean continue to enter you.	1. ¶ Be revealed, be revealed, put on your strength, O Zion; put on, put on your celebrity, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there will no longer pass among you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2. Shake yourselves from the dust, arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; free yourself of the bands of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.    {S}	2. Shake yourself from the dust, arise, sit, O Jerusalem on the throne of glory; the chains of your necks are broken, O captives of the congregation of Zion.   {S}
3. For so said the Lord, "You were sold for nought, and you shall not be redeemed for money."    {S}	3. For thus says the LORD: "You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money.    {S}
4. For so said the Lord God, "My people first went down to Egypt to sojourn there, but Assyria oppressed them for nothing."	4. For thus says the LORD God: my people went down at the first to Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian robbed him for nothing.
5. "And now, what have I here," says the Lord, "that My people has been taken for nothing. His rulers boast," says the Lord, "and constantly all day My name is blasphemed.	5. Now therefore I am about to save, says the LORD, seeing that My people are sold for nothing. The peoples that rule over them boast, says the LORD, and continually all the day they incite to anger over against the service of My name.
6. Therefore, My people shall know My name; therefore, on that day, for I am He Who speaks, here I am."   {S}	6. Therefore My name will be exalted among the peoples; therefore in that time you will know that it is I who speak; and my Memra endures."    {S}
7. How beautiful are the feet of the herald on the mountains, announcing peace, heralding good tidings, announcing salvation, saying to Zion, "Your God has manifested His kingdom."	7. How beautiful upon the mountains of the land of Israel are the feet of him who announces, who publishes peace, who announces good tidings, who publishes salvation, who says to the congregation of Zion, "The kingdom of your God is revealed."
8. The voice of your watchmen- they raised a voice, together they shall sing, for eye to eye they shall see when the Lord returns to Zion.	8. The voice of your guardians, who lift up their voice, together they sing for joy; for with their eyes they will see the prodigies which the LORD will do when He will return His Shekhinah to Zion.
9. Burst out in song, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has consoled his people; He has redeemed Jerusalem.	9. Shout and sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD is about to comfort his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10. The Lord has revealed His holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.    {S}	10. The LORD has disclosed His holy arm to the eyes of all the Gentiles; and all those at the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.    {S}
11. Turn away, turn away, get out of there, touch no unclean one; get out of its midst, purify yourselves, you who bear the Lord's vessels.	11. Separate, separate, go out thence, draw near no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the sanctuary of the LORD.
12.  For not with haste shall you go forth and not in a flurry of flight shall you go, for the Lord goes before you, and your rear guard is the God of Israel.   {S}	12. For you will not go out in haste from among the Gentiles, and you will not be brought in flight to your land, for the LORD leads before you, and the God of Israel is about to gather your exiles.    {S}
13. Behold My servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and he shall be very high.	13. Behold, My servant, the Messiah, will prosper, he will be exalted and increase, and will be very strong.
14. As many wondered about you, "How marred his appearance is from that of a man, and his features from that of people!"	14. Just as the house of Israel hoped for him many days - their appearances were so dark among the peoples, and their aspect beyond that of the sons of men-
15. So shall he cast down many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for, what had not been told them they saw, and [at] what they had not heard they gazed.   {S}	15. so he will scatter many peoples; kings will be silent because of him, they will place their hands upon their mouth; for things which have not been told to them they have seen, and that which they have not heard they have understood.   {S}
1. Who would have believed our report, and to whom was the arm of the Lord revealed?	1. Who has believed this our report? And to whom has the strength of the mighty arm of the LORD been so revealed?
2. And he came up like a sapling before it, and like a root from dry ground, he had neither form nor comeliness; and we saw him that he had no appearance. Now shall we desire him?	2. And the righteous/generous will be exalted before him, behold, like tufts which sprout, and like a tree which sends its roots by streams of waters, so holy generations will increase on the land which was needing him; his appearance is not a common appearance and his fearfulness is not an ordinary fearfulness, and his brilliance will be holy brilliance, that everyone who looks at him will consider him.
3. Despised and rejected by men, a man of pains and accustomed to illness, and as one who hides his face from us, despised and we held him of no account.	3. Then the glory of all the kingdoms will be for contempt and cease; they will be faint and mournful, behold, as a man of sorrows and appointed for sicknesses; and as when the face of the Shekhinah was taken up from us, they are despised and not esteemed.
4. Indeed, he bore our illnesses, and our pains-he carried them, yet we accounted him as plagued, smitten by God and oppressed.	4. Then he will beseech concerning our sins and our iniquities for his sake will be forgiven; yet we were esteemed wounded, smitten before the LORD and afflicted.
5. But he was pained because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his wound we were healed.	5. And he will build the sanctuary which was profaned for our sins, handed over for our iniquities; and by his teaching his peace will increase upon us, and in that we attach ourselves to his words our sins will be forgiven us.
6. We all went astray like sheep, we have turned, each one on his way, and the Lord accepted his prayers for the iniquity of all of us.	6. All we like sheep have been scattered; we have gone into exile, everyone his own way; and before the LORD it was a pleasure to forgive the sins of us all for his sake.
7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he would not open his mouth; like a lamb to the slaughter he would be brought, and like a ewe that is mute before her shearers, and he would not open his mouth.	7. He beseeches, and he is answered, and before he opens his mouth he is accepted; the strong ones of the peoples he will hand over like a lamb to the sacrifice, and like a ewe which before its shearers is dumb, so there is not before him one who opens his mouth or speaks a saying.
8. From imprisonment and from judgment he is taken, and his generation who shall tell? For he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the transgression of my people, a plague befell them.	8. From bonds and retribution he will bring our exiles near; the wonders which will be done for us in his days, who will be able to recount? For he will take away the rule of the Gentiles from the land of Israel; the sins which my people sinned he will cast on to them.
9. And he gave his grave to the wicked, and to the wealthy with his kinds of death, because he committed no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.	9. And he will hand over the wicked to Gehenna and those rich in possessions which they robbed to the death of the corruption, lest those who commit sin be established, and speak of possessions with their mouth.
10. And the Lord wished to crush him, He made him ill; if his soul makes itself restitution, he shall see children, he shall prolong his days, and God's purpose shall prosper in his hand.	10. Yet before the LORD it was a pleasure to refine and to cleanse the remnant of His people, in order to purify their soul from sins; they will see the kingdom of their Messiah, they will increase sons and daughters, they will prolong days; those who perform the Law the LORD will prosper in His pleasure;
11. From the toil of his soul he would see, he would be satisfied; with his knowledge My servant would vindicate the just for many, and their iniquities he would bear.	11. from the slavery of the Gentiles he shall deliver their soul. they will see the retribution of their adversaries. They will be satisfied with the plunder of their kings; by his wisdom will he make innocents to be accounted innocent, to subject many to the Law; and he will beseech concerning their sins.
12. Therefore, I will allot him a portion in public, and with the strong he shall share plunder, because he poured out his soul to death, and with transgressors he was counted; and he bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.   {P}	12. Then I will divide him the plunder of many Gentiles, and he will divide the spoil. the possessions of strong fortresses; because he handed over his soul to the death, and subjected the rebels to the Law; yet he will beseech concerning the sins of many, and to the rebels it will be forgiven for him.   {P}

 

Rashi’s Commentary for: Isaiah 52:6-13 + 53:4-5

 

2 Shake yourself Heb. הִתְנַעֲרִי, escourre in O.F., to shake strongly, like one who shakes out a garment.

 

arise from the ground, from the decree (supra 3:26), “She shall sit on the ground.”

 

sit down on a throne.

 

free yourself Untie yourself [from Jonathan].

 

bands of Heb. מוֹסְרֵי, cringatro umbriah in O.F., [strap].

 

captive Heb. שְׁבִיָה, like שְׁבוּיָה, captive.

 

3 You were sold for nought Because of worthless matters, i.e., the evil inclination, which affords you no reward.

 

and you shall not be redeemed for money but with repentance.

 

4 My people first went down to Egypt The Egyptians had somewhat of a debt upon them, for they served for them as their hosts and sustained them, but Assyria oppressed them for nothing and without cause.

 

5 And now, what have I here Why do I stay and detain My children here? boast Heb. יְהֵילִילוּ, Boast saying, “Our hand was powerful.”

 

is blasphemed Blasphemes itself, and this is an instance similar to (Num 7:89) “And he heard the voice speaking to him.”

 

6 My people shall know When I redeem them, they will recognize that My name is master, monarch, and ruler, as is its apparent meaning.

 

therefore, on that day The day of their redemption, they will understand that I am He Who speaks, and behold, I have fulfilled the prophecy.

 

8 The voice of your watchmen The watchmen who are stationed on the walls and the towers to report and to see (to see and to report [Parshandatha]) who comes to the city.

 

10 has revealed Heb. חָשַׂף, has revealed.

 

11 touch no unclean one They shall be abominable to you to touch them.

 

get out of its midst Out of the midst of the exile, for all these last consolations refer only to the last exile.

 

purify yourselves Heb. הִבָּרוּ, purify yourselves.

 

you who bear the Lord’s vessels You, the priests and the Levites, who carried the vessels of the Holy One, blessed be He, in the desert [from here is proof of the resurrection of the dead].

 

12 for...goes before you Two things at the end of this verse explain two things in its beginning, [viz.] For not with haste shall you go forth. What is the reason? For the Lord goes before you to lead you on the way, and one whose agent advances before him to lead him on the way his departure is not in haste. And not in the flurry of flight shall you go, for your rear guard is the God of Israel. He will follow you to guard you from any pursuer. Comp. (Num. 10:25) “And the division of the camp of Dan shall travel, the rear guard of all the camps.” Whoever goes after the camp is called מְאַסֵּף, the rear guard, because he waits for the stragglers and the stumblers. Similarly, Scripture states in Joshua (6: 13): “And the rear guard was going after the Ark.”

 

13 Behold My servant shall prosper Behold, at the end of days, My servant, Jacob, [i.e.,] the righteous among him, shall prosper.

 

14 As many wondered As many peoples wondered about them when they saw them in their humble state, and said to one another, How marred is his [Israel’s] appearance from that of a man! See how their features are darker than those of other people, so, as we see with our eyes.

 

15 So shall he cast down many nations So now, even he his hand will become powerful, and he will cast down the horns of the nations who scattered him.

 

shall shut Heb. יִקְפְּצוּ. They shall shut their mouths out of great bewilderment.

 

for honor.

 

what had not been told them concerning any man, they saw in him.

 

they gazed Heb. הִתְבּוֹנָנוּ, they gazed.

 

 

Chapter 53

 

1 Who would have believed our report So will the nations say to one another, Were we to hear from others what we see, it would be unbelievable.

 

the arm of the Lord like this, with greatness and glory, to whom was it revealed until now?

 

2 And he came up like a sapling before it This people, before this greatness came to it, was a very humble people, and it came up by itself like a sapling of the saplings of the trees.

 

and like a root he came up from dry land.

 

neither form had he in the beginning, nor comeliness.

 

and we saw him that he had no appearance. Now shall we desire him? And when we saw him from the beginning without an appearance, how could we desire him?

 

Now shall we desire him? This is a question.

 

3 Despised and rejected by men was he. So is the custom of this prophet: he mentions all Israel as one man, e.g., (44:2), “Fear not, My servant Jacob”; (44:1) “And now, hearken, Jacob, My servant.” Here too (52:13), “Behold My servant shall prosper,” he said concerning the house of Jacob. יַשְׂכִּיל is an expression of prosperity. Comp. (I Sam. 18:14) “And David was successful (מַשְׂכִּיל) in all his ways.”

 

and as one who hides his face from us Because of their intense shame and humility, they were as one who hides his face from us, with their faces bound up in concealment, in order that we not see them, like a plagued man who hides his face and is afraid to look.

 

4 Indeed, he bore our illnesses Heb. אָכֵן, an expression of ‘but’ in all places. But now we see that this came to him not because of his low state, but that he was chastised with pains so that all the nations be atoned for with Israel’s suffering. The illness that should rightfully have come upon us, he bore.

 

yet we accounted him We thought that he was hated by the Omnipresent, but he was not so, but he was pained because of our transgressions and crushed because of our iniquities.

 

5 the chastisement of our welfare was upon him The chastisement due to the welfare that we enjoyed, came upon him, for he was chastised so that there be peace for the entire world.

 

6 We all went astray like sheep Now it is revealed that all the heathens (nations [mss.]) had erred.

 

accepted his prayers He accepted his prayers and was appeased concerning the iniquity of all of us, that He did not destroy His world.

 

accepted...prayers Heb. הִפְגִּיעַ, espriad in O.F., an expression of supplication.

 

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted Behold he was oppressed by taskmasters and people who exert pressure.

 

and he was afflicted with verbal taunts, sorparlec in O.F.

 

yet he would not open his mouth He would suffer and remain silent like the lamb that is brought to the slaughter, and like the ewe that is mute before her shearers.

 

and he would not open his mouth This refers to the lamb brought to the slaughter.

 

8 From imprisonment and from judgment he is taken The prophet reports and says that the heathens (nations [mss., K’li Paz]) will say this at the end of days, when they see that he was taken from the imprisonment that he was imprisoned in their hands and from the judgment of torments that he suffered until now.

 

and his generation The years that passed over him.

 

who shall tell? The tribulations that befell him, for from the beginning, he was cut off and exiled from the land of the living that is the land of Israel for because of the transgression of my people, this plague came to the righteous among them.

 

9 And he gave his grave to the wicked He subjected himself to be buried according to anything the wicked of the heathens (nations [mss., K’li Paz]) would decree upon him, for they would penalize him with death and the burial of donkeys in the intestines of the dogs.

 

to the wicked According to the will of the wicked, he was willing to be buried, and he would not deny the living God.

 

and to the wealthy with his kinds of death and to the will of the ruler he subjected himself to all kinds of death that he decreed upon him, because he did not wish to agree to (denial) [of the Torah] to commit evil and to rob like all the heathens (nations [mss., K’li Paz]) among whom he lived.

 

and there was no deceit in his mouth to accept idolatry (to accept a pagan deity as God [Parshandatha]).

 

10 And the Lord wished to crush him, He made him ill The Holy One, blessed be He, wished to crush him and to cause him to repent; therefore, he made him ill.

 

If his soul makes itself restitution, etc. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, “I will see, if his soul will be given and delivered with My holiness to return it to Me as restitution for all that he betrayed Me, I will pay him his recompense, and he will see children, etc.” This word אָשָׁם is an expression of ransom that one gives to the one against when he sinned, amende in O.F., to free from faults, similar to the matter mentioned in the episode of the Philistines (I Sam. 6:3), “Do not send it away empty, but you shall send back with it a guilt offering  (אָשָׁם).”

 

11 From the toil of his soul he would eat and be satisfied, and he would not rob and plunder.

 

with his knowledge...would vindicate the just My servant would judge justly all those who came to litigate before him.

 

and their iniquities he would bear He would bear, in the manner of all the righteous, as it is said (Num. 18:1): “You and your sons shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary.”

 

12 Therefore Because he did this, I will allot him an inheritance and a lot in public with the Patriarchs.

 

he poured out his soul to death Heb. הֶעֱרָה. An expression like (Gen. 24:20), “And she emptied (וַתְּעַר) her pitcher.”

 

and with transgressors he was counted He suffered torments as if he had sinned and transgressed, and this is because of others; he bore the sin of the many.

 

and interceded for the transgressors through his sufferings, for good came to the world through him.

 

 

Special Ashlamatah: Malachi 3:4-24

 

Rashi’s Translation	Targum
4. And then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem shall be pleasant to the Lord, as in the days of old and former years.	4. And the offering of the people Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will be accepted before the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
5. And I will approach you for judgment, and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely; and also against those who withhold the wages of the day laborers, of the widow and fatherless, and those who pervert [the rights of] the stranger, [and those who] fear Me not, says the Lord of Hosts.	5. And I will reveal Myself against you to exercise judgement, and My Memra will be for a swift witness among you, against the sorcerers and adulterers, and against those who swear falsely and those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and who pervert the judgement of the stranger, and have not feared from before Me, says the LORD of hosts.
6. For I, the Lord, have not changed; and you, the sons of Jacob, have not reached the end.	6. For I the Lord have not changed my covenant which is from of old; but you, O house of Israel, you think that if a man dies in this world his judgement has ceased.
7. From the days of your fathers you have departed from My laws and have not kept [them]. "Return to Me, and I will return to you," said the Lord of Hosts, but you said, "With what have we to return?"	7. From the days of your fathers you have wandered from My statutes and have not observed (them). Return to My service and I will return by My Memra to do good for you, says the LORD of hosts. And if you say, 'How will we return?’
8. Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me, and you say, "With what have we robbed You?"-With tithes and with the terumah-levy.	8. Will a man provoke before a judge? But you are provoking before Me. And if you say, 'How have we provoked before You? - in tithes and offerings!
9. You are cursed with a curse, but you rob Me, the whole nation!	9. You are cursed with a curse, and you are provoking before Me, the whole nation of you.
10. Bring the whole of the tithes into the treasury so that there may be nourishment in My House, and test Me now therewith, says the Lord of Hosts, [to see] if I will not open for you the sluices of heaven and pour down for you blessing until there be no room to suffice for it.	10. Bring the whole tithe to the storehouse and there will be provision for those who serve in My Sanctuary. and make trial now before Me in this, says the LORD of hosts, to see whether I will not open to you the windows of heaven and send down blessing to you, until you say, 'Enough!
11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake, and he will not destroy the fruits of your land; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field, says the Lord of Hosts.	11. And I will rebuke the destroyer for you and it will not destroy the fruit of your ground; nor will the vine in the field fail to bear fruit for you, says the LORD of hosts.
12. And then all the nations shall praise you, for you shall be a desirable land, says the Lord of Hosts.	12. And all the Gentiles will praise you, for you will be dwelling in the land of the house of My Shekinah and will be fulfilling My will in it, says the LORD of hosts.
13. "Still harder did your words strike Me," says the Lord, but you say, "What have we spoken against You?"	13. Your words have been strong before Me, says the LORD. And if you say, 'How have we multiplied words before you?'
14. You have said, "It is futile to serve God, and what profit do we get for keeping His charge and for going about in anxious worry because of the Lord of Hosts? "	14. You have said, 'He who serves before the LORD is not benefited, and what gain do we earn for ourselves, because we have kept the charge of His Memra and because we have walked in lowliness of spirit before the LORD of hosts?
15. And now we praise the bold transgressors. Yea, those who work wickedness are built up. Yea, they tempt God, and they have, nevertheless, escaped.	15. And now we praise the wicked; yes, evil-doers are established. and, moreover, they make trial before the LORD and are delivered.
16. Then the God-fearing men spoke to one another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it. And a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared the Lord and for those who valued His name highly.	16. Then those who feared the LORD spoke each with his companion, and the LORD hearkened and it was revealed before him and was written in the book of records before Him, for those who feared the LORD and for those who thought to honour His name.
17.  And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of Hosts, for that day when I make a treasure (Heb. S’gulah). And I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.	17. And they will be before me. says the LORD of hosts, on the day when I will make up (My) special possession (Heb. S’gulah), and I will have mercy upon them just as a man has mercy upon his son who has served him.
18. And you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who has not served Him.	18. And you will again distinguish between the righteous/generous and the wicked, between those who have served before the LORD and those who have not served before Him.
19. For lo, the sun comes, glowing like a furnace, and all the audacious sinners and all the perpetrators of wickedness will be stubble. And the sun that comes shall burn them up so that it will leave them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of Hosts.	19. For behold, the day has come, burning like an oven, and all the wicked and all the evil-doers will be weak as stubble, and the day that is coming will consume them, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither son nor grandson.
20. And the sun of mercy shall rise with healing in its wings (Heb. BiK’nafeiah) for you who fear My Name. Then will you go forth and be fat as fatted calves.	20. But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in her wings (Heb. BiK’nafeiah), and you will go out and sport like calves from the stall.
21. And you shall crush the wicked, for they will be as ash under the soles of your feet on the day that I will prepare, says the Lord of Hosts.	21. And you will trample upon the wicked, for they will be ashes under the sole of your feet on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.
22. Keep in remembrance the teaching of Moses, My servant-the laws and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.	22. Remember the Law of Moses my servant, which I commanded him on Horeb for all Israel, to teach them statutes and ordinances.
23. Lo, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord,	23. Behold, I am sending to you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day which will come from the LORD.
24. that he may turn the heart of the fathers back through the children, and the heart of the children back through their fathers - lest I come and smite the earth with utter destruction.	24. And he will turn the heart of the fathers upon the children and the heart of the children upon their fathers, lest I should reveal Myself and find the whole land in its sins, and utterly wipe it out.

 

Rashi’s Commentary for: Malachi 3:4-24

 

6 For I, the Lord, have not changed Although I keep back My anger for a long time, My mind has not changed from the way it was originally, to love evil and to hate good.

 

and you, the sons of Jacob Although you die in your evil, and I have not requited the wicked in their lifetime

 

you have not reached the end You are not finished from before Me, for I have left over the souls to be requited in Gehinnom. And so did Jonathan render. And you of the House of Jacob, who think that whoever dies in this world, his verdict has already ended, that is to say, you think that My verdict has been nullified, that he will no longer be punished. Our Sages (Sotah 9a), however, explained it: א שָׁנִיתִי - I did not strike a nation and repeat a blow to it; but as for you, I have kept you up after much punishment, and My arrows are ended, but you are not ended.

 

8 Will a man rob Our Sages explained this as an expression of robbery, and it is an Aramaism.

 

With tithes and with the terumah levy The tithes and the terumah - levy that you steal from the priests and the Levites is tantamount to robbing Me.

 

9 You are cursed with a curse because of this iniquity, for which I send a curse into the work of your hands; but nevertheless, you rob Me.

 

10 so that there may be nourishment in My House There shall be food accessible for My servants.

 

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake The finishing locusts and the shearing locusts, which devour the grain of your field and your vines.

 

12 a desirable land A land that I desire.

 

14 “It is futile to serve God” We worship Him for nothing, for we will receive no reward.

 

in anxious worry with low spirits.

 

15 And now we praise the bold transgressors, etc. We worshipped Him and kept His charge, but now we see that the wicked are prospering - to the extent that we praise them for the wicked deeds.

 

Yea, they tempt God, saying, “Let us see what He will be able to do to us.”

 

and they have, nevertheless, escaped harm, and they have not stumbled.

 

16 Then the God-fearing men spoke, etc. I retort upon your words then, when the wicked commit evil and the good go about in anxious worry because of Me. The God-fearing men spoke to one another not to adopt their evil deeds; and, as for Me, their words are not forgotten to Me. And although I do not hasten to visit retribution, I have hearkened and heard, and I have commanded that a book of remembrance be written for them. Their words shall be preserved for Me.

 

17 for that day when I make a treasure that I have stored and put away, with which to pay My reward. There I will show you what the difference is between a righteous man and a wicked man.

 

a treasure a treasure; estouj, estui in Old French.

 

19 For lo, the sun comes This instance of יוֹם is an expression of sun, for so did the Sages state that there will be no Gehinnom in the future, but the Holy One, blessed be He, will take the sun out of its case; the wicked will be punished thereby and the righteous will be healed thereby. That is the meaning of what is stated (verse 20): “And the sun of mercy shall rise for you who fear My Name, etc.”

 

neither root nor branch Neither son nor grandson

 

20 and be fat an expression of fat, as in (Jer. 50: 11), “as you become fat, like a threshing heifer.”

 

as fatted calves [the calves] that enter the team to be fattened; kopla, cople in Old French: animals tied together.

 

21 And you shall crush and you shall press. This is an expression of pressing, similar to (Ezek. 23:8) “they pressed their virgin breasts.”

 

24 that he may turn the heart of the fathers back to the Holy One, blessed be He.

 

through the children lit., on. He will say to the children affectionately and appeasingly, “Go and speak to your fathers to adopt the ways of the Omnipresent.” So we explain, “and the heart of the children through their fathers.” This I heard in the name of Rabbi Menahem, but our Sages expounded upon it in tractate Eduyoth (8:7), that he will come to make peace in the world. 

 

 

Verbal Tallies

By: HH Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah

& H.Em. Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David

 

The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Ashlamata are:

God - אלהים, Strong’s number 0430.

Spoke / Speak - דבר, Strong’s number 01696.

Said / Says - אמר, Strong’s number 0559.

LORD - יהוה, Strong’s number 03068.

 

The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Psalm are:

God - אלהים, Strong’s number 0430.

Said / Says - אמר, Strong’s number 0559.

 

Shemot (Exodus) 6:2 And God <0430> spoke <01696> (8762) unto Moses, and said <0559> (8799) unto him, I am the LORD <03068>:

 

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 52:6 Therefore My people will know My name: therefore they will know in that day that I am he that does speak <01696> (8764): behold, it is I.

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says <0559> (8802) unto Zion, Your God <0430> reigns!

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 52:8 Your watchmen will lift up the voice; with the voice together will they sing: for they will see eye to eye, when the LORD <03068> will bring again Zion.

 

Tehillim (Psalms) 45:1 «To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. » My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak <0559> (8802) of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Tehillim (Psalms) 45:2 You are fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into your lips: therefore God <0430> has blessed you forever.

 

 

 

Hebrew:

 

 

 

Greek:

 

Greek	English	Torah Seder *Ex. 6:2 – 7:7	Psalms Psa 45:1-17	Ashlamatah Is 52:6-13 + 53:4-5	Peshat Mk/Jude/Pet Mk 5:25-34	Remes 1 Luke Lk 8:49-56	Remes 2 Acts/Romans Acts 12:13-19
ἀδελφός	brother, brethren	Exo 6:20 Exo 7:1 Exo 7:2					Act 12:17
ἀκούω	heard, hear		Psa 45:10		Mar 5:27	Luk 8:50
ἀλήθεια	truth		Psa 45:4		Mar 5:33
ἅπτομαι	touched			Isa 52:11	Mar 5:27 Mar 5:28 Mar 5:30 Mar 5:31
γινώσκω	know	Exod 6:3 Exod 6:7 Exod 7:5		Isa 52:6 Isa 53:3	Mar 5:29
γυνή	woman	Exo 6:20 Exo 6:23 Exo 6:25			Mar 5:25 Mar 5:33
δίδωμι	give	Exo 6:4 Exo 6:8  Exo 7:1				Luk 8:55
δύναμις	power	Exo 6:26			Mar 5:30
εἴδω	beheld, behold, knowing		Psa 45:10		Mar 5:32 Mar 5:33	Luk 8:53	Act 12:16
εἰρήνη	peace			Isa 52:7	Mar 5:34
εἰσέρχομαι	enter	Exo 6:11				Luk 8:51
ἐξάγω	leading out	Exo 6:6 Exo 6:7  Exo 6:13  Exo 6:26  Exo 6:27  Exo 7:4  Exo 7:5					Act 12:17
ἐξέρχομαι	coming forth			Isa 52:11 Isa 52:12	Mar 5:30		Act 12:17
ἐξίστημι	amazed					Luk 8:56	Act 12:16
ἐπιγινώσκω	realize, recognized				Mar 5:30		Act 12:14
ἐπιστρέφω	turn				Mar 5:30	Luk 8:55
ἔπω	said	Exo 6:2 Exo 6:6  Exo 6:10  Exo 6:13   Exo 6:26  Exo 6:30  Exo 7:1			Mar 5:33 Mar 5:34	Luk 8:52 Luk 8:56	Act 12:15 Act 12:17
ἔρχομαι	come				Mar 5:26  Mar 5:27 Mar 5:33	Luk 8:49
ἔτος	years	Exo 6:16  Exo 6:18  Exo 6:20  Exo 7:7			Mar 5:25
εὐθέως	immediately				Mar 5:29  Mar 5:30
ἡμέρα	day	Exo 6:28		Isa 52:6			Act 12:18
θυγάτηρ	daughter	Exod 6:23 Exod 6:25	Ps 45:9 Ps 45:10 Ps 45:12 Ps 45:13		Mar 5:34	Luk 8:49
ἰάομαι	heal			Isa 53:5	Mar 5:29
ἰδού	behold	Exo 6:12 Exo 6:30  Exo 7:1		Isa 52:13
ἱμάτιον	garment, cloak		Psa 45:8		Mar 5:27  Mar 5:28  Mar 5:30
ἵστημι	stand	Exo 6:4					Act 12:14
λαλέω	speak	Exod 6:2 Exod 6:9 Exod 6:10 Exod 6:11 Exod 6:12 Exod 6:13 Exod 6:27 Exod 6:28 Exod 6:29 Exod 7:2 Exod 7:7		Isa 52:6		Luk 8:49
λέγω	saying	Exod 6:2 Exod 6:6 Exod 6:10 Exod 6:12 Exod 6:26 Exod 6:29 Exod 6:30 Exod 7:1	Ps 45:1	Isa 52:7	Mar 5:28 Mar 5:30  Mar 5:31	Luk 8:49 Luk 8:50 Luk 8:54	Act 12:15
μηδείς	nobody, no one				Mar 5:26	Luk 8:56
ὄνομα	name	Exod 6:3 Exod 6:16	Ps 45:17	Isa 52:6			Act 12:13
ὁράω	see	Exo 6:3		Isa 52:8 Isa 52:10
παῖς	servant, child			Isa 52:13		Luk 8:51 Luk 8:54
πᾶς	whole all	Exod 6:29 Exod 7:2	Ps 45:8 Ps 45:13 Ps 45:16 Ps 45:17	Isa 52:10	Mar 5:26 Mar 5:33	Luk 8:52 Luk 8:54
πατήρ	father	Exod 6:14 Exod 6:25	Ps 45:10 Ps 45:16			Luk 8:51
περί	concerning			Isa 52:15	Mar 5:27
πορεύομαι	gone, went, go			Isa 52:12			Act 12:17
σώζω	save, deliver				Mar 5:28  Mar 5:34	Luk 8:50
τίς	certain				Mar 5:25 Mar 5:30  Mar 5:31	Luk  8:2  Luk 8:9	Act 12:18
υἱός	son	Exod 6:5 Exod 6:6 Exod 6:9 Exod 6:11 Exod 6:12 Exod 6:13 Exod 6:14 Exod 6:15 Exod 6:16 Exod 6:17 Exod 6:18 Exod 6:19 Exod 6:21 Exod 6:22 Exod 6:24 Exod 6:25 Exod 6:26 Exod 6:27 Exod 7:2 Exod 7:4 Exod 7:5 Exod 7:7	Ps 45:1 Ps 45:2 Ps 45:16
φοβέω	feared				Mar 5:33 Mar 5:36	Luk 8:50
φωνή	voice, sound			Isa 52:8			Act 12:14
χείρ	hands					Luk 8:54	Act 12:17
ὥρα	hour	Exo 6:8 Exo 7:4 Exo 7:5		Isa 52:7

 

 

 

 

 

 

NAZAREAN TALMUD

Sidra Of Shemot (Ex.) ‎6:2 – 7:7

“VaEra El Avraham” “and I appeared to Abraham”

By: H. Em. Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham

 

HAKHAM SHAUL’S SCHOOL OF Tosefta (Luqas Lk 8:43-48) Mishnah א:א	Hakham Tsefet’s School of Peshat (Mk 5:24b-34) Mishnah א:א
And a woman[171] who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, (14 years) and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him and touched the fringe of is tallit, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. And Yeshua said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Hakham Tsefet said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on you." But Yeshua said, "Someone did (intentionally) touch me, for I was aware[172] that virtuous power had gone out of me." When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately made whole. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faithfulness has made you well; go in peace."	And a great congregation was following him and pressing in on him. And a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and had endured a great ordeal (much) under a great number of physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse, after hearing reports about Yeshua, she came up in the congregation behind him and touched the fringe of his tallit. For she reasoned within herself, “If I just touch the fringe of his talit, I will be made whole.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she knew[173] in her body that she was healed[174] of her affliction.[175] Immediately Yeshua, knowing (Da’at having an intimate knowledge) in himself that the virtuous power[176] had gone out from him, turned around in the congregation and said, “Who touched my tzitzit?” And his talmidim said to him, “You see the great congregation pressing in on you, and you say, 'Who touched Me?'” And he looked around to see the woman who had touched[177] his tzitzit. But the woman fearing[178] and trembling, aware[179] of what had happened to her, came and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. But he said to her, “Daughter, your faithful obedience has made you whole; go in peace being made whole of your affliction.”
Hakham SHAUL’S SCHOOL OF REMES (2 Luqas - Acts 15:19-21) Pereq א:א
Therefore, my judgment[180] is that we should not cause difficulty for those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, but we should write a letter to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. For [the rest you have] Moshe who has those proclaiming him in every city from ancient generations, because he is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

 

 

Nazarean Codicil to be read in conjunction with the following Torah Seder:

 

 

Commentary to Hakham Tsefet’s School of Peshat

 

On occasion we find pericopes from the Nazarean Codicil that fall out in close proximity to Festivals or that are closely associated with Festival themes. This is not uncommon because the Hakhamim have taught us to read certain Torah Sederim during particular Festivals. The Present pericope of Mark and 1 Luqas fit the genre of Pesach and to be more precise Shabbat HaGadol. This can often be the case with the Bimodality of the Triennial Torah Cycle. When we are in proximity to such events and readings. The present reading may have been also read during the Pesach season and again more precisely during Shabbat HaGadol. Study of the triennial Calendar will show that in the present materials this reading was at least once read during that season. Thus, the reading of Mal 3:4-24. (Jewish published Bible) was once joined to the present pericopes of Mark and Luke. We here opine that the woman with the haemorrhage of blood was inspired by the readings of Mal 3:4-24 to seek out Yeshua and his fringed garment as a cure for her longstanding problem. We will try to unfold this idea below.

As an introduction to Shabbat HaGadol, Hakham Tsefet opens with a narrative of a woman who suffered greatly for a period of twelve years. In this pericope, we see the true genius of Hakham Tsefet. We also see that the triennial reading of the Nazarean Codicil perfectly matches the Torah and Festival Calendar. In the narrative where we read that, a woman had a haemorrhage of blood for twelve years; Hakham Tsefet makes a play on the word “great.” In our translation, the words “much” and “many” are derivatives of the idea of “great.” Therefore, we see and know immediately that we have reached Shabbat HaGadol or its counterpart Shabbat Shuvah.

 

As we look at the narrative superficially we note that there seems to be little associated with “the great and terrible day.” Shabbat Gadol materializes right before our eyes when we begin, with hermeneutics to decode the text.

We have talked often of hermeneutics such as Corral Hermeneutics, Handkerchief hermeneutics and Rabbinic Hermeneutics. Keeping in mind that there are many hermeneutic rules and practices that help us define the meaning of a text, we proceed with what we will label “Festival Hermeneutics.” Festival hermeneutic is a method of interpreting festival and ritual practices through hermeneutic or defining the meaning of a ritual/festival through a process of hermeneutics. This process is very precarious when we confine the materials within the infrastructure of Peshat. This is because “ritual” and “festivals” are often associated with more abstract practices such as ceremony ritual or prayer. Therefore, “ritual/festival hermeneutics” would be better suited for higher hermeneutic levels, i.e. So’od. However, because we have a “festival” genre here in Peshat materials we must interpret from Peshat. We might say that there is a “Peshat Ritual/Festival Hermeneutic” as opposed to the other levels of PaRDeS hermeneutic levels. The highest and most capable hermeneutic for interpreting ritual, festival and prayer processes would be So’od. However, because our present material is Peshat we must strip the ritual/festival of all of it So’od apparel. Therefore, we must deduce that “ritual/festival hermeneutic” is subject to the applicable PaRDeS hermeneutic. In other words, when we see a ritual/festival within a particular text we must determine the level of hermeneutic and therein confine the ritual/festival to the specific level of hermeneutic. Ritual/Festival Hermeneutic interprets the ritual within the con­fines of the materials in which we find our source. Our present ritual/festival, Pesach must be confined to the level of Peshat because we are reading Peshat materials.

As we have noted in the footnotes the woman with the constant hemorrhage of blood deduced that she could be healed by the Master’s tallit. Therefore, we must use the “Ritual/Festival Hermeneutics” of Peshat to decode the pre-Pesach ritual of Shabbat HaGadol. It has been the ritual practice to label the Shabbat before Pesach as Shabbat HaGadol and incorporate the Prophetic reading of Mal 3:4-24. (Jewish published Bible) This haftarah was selected in accordance with the belief that the Messianic redemption of the B’ne Yisrael will occur in the same month as the Egyptian bondage.^[181] While the exact origin of this practice is debated among some scholars…

 

1. We will show through the present pericope of Marqas (Mark) that this practice pre-dates the Nazarean Codicil.
2. We will further show that Hakham Tsefet was aware of this practice and the he crafted the present pericope from the history of the Master to suit Shabbat HaGadol.

 Use of the Greek word δύναμις – dunamis is used for the “virtue,” which flows from the person of Yeshua. This is clearly an association with Messiah and the principle of agency. This may be the simplest answer but it is not the only answer. When the woman with the “discharge of blood” touched Yeshua’s tzitzit she transferred her ritual impurity to him. She remained ritually impure until she could appropriately immerse in a mikveh. The point Hakham Tsefet is making by saying “Immediately Yeshua, knowing (Da’at having an intimate knowledge) in himself that the virtuous power had gone out from him,” is that Yeshua was keenly aware of his status of ritual purity. This is further explained by understanding that Yeshua was meticulous about ritual purity. Therefore, when the woman touched his tzitzit he knew immediately that his ritual status had been compromised. Furthermore, this virtuous power when transferred from one person to another has the capacity of elevating or degenerating the person in contact. This is the mystery of the Parah Adumah discussed just a short time ago. Why did the woman with the “discharge of blood” seek Yeshua out? Did she seek him out because she believed he was “Messiah?” Hakham Tsefet responds by saying that she “heard” reports about him. But, this also leaves another question. What were the “reports” that she heard? It would appear that the “reports” were not specifically associated with his being Messiah. Rather, she heard reports of healings associated with him. Yet, she had a very determinate, premeditated plan, “If I just touch the fringe of his talit, I will be made whole.” This in turn posits more questions.

 

Hakham Tsefet is going out of his way to say that ritual purity is a very important issue in Jewish life. Yeshua “had intimate knowledge of his ritual status.” Adam and Chavah “immediately Knew” when they had compromised their status of ritual innocence. As we have stated before, their attempt to cover themselves constituted the “works of the flesh” or human attempt apart from the Torah to reconcile themselves to G-d.

 

Hakham Tsefet is also showing that in some cases for someone to be “healed” per se that some agents have to be exposed to ritual impurity. This is the case with Yeshua in the present scenario. In turning back to the questions at hand we need to know what caused the woman with the discharge of blood to believe that she could specifically touch the tzitzit of Yeshua’s tallit and be healed. And why did she wait until this specific time, i.e. Shabbat HaGadol to premeditatedly resolve to act on her thoughts. Is it possible the she found some special connection between Shabbat HaGadol and the tzitzit that caused her to believe that she could touch Yeshua’s fringe and be healed? 

 

D’varim 22:12 You shall make yourself twisted threads, (גָּדִל – gâdil)^[182] on the four corners of your garment with which you cover yourself.

 

The fringe/tassel on the four corners of the tallit are referred to as גָּדִל – gâdil. According to the Strong’s Exhaustive concordance and the Theological Workbook of the Old Testament גָּדִל – gâdil is derived from גָּדַל – gadal meaning “great.” In the table below, we have given the Theological workbook of the Old Testament numbers and corresponding definition.

 

 

The underlying idea is that the “great” wear the גְּדִלִים – gĕdilı̂m, “twisted threads” or tzitzit on the corners of their garments. Therefore, we have a connection between “the great,” HaGadol and the גְּדִלִים – gĕdilı̂m fringes or tassels. Hakham Tsefet the Great Torah Scholar is showing us that the woman with the discharge of blood had plenty of reason to believe that if she could “just touch” the fringe of the Great Torah Teacher, she would be healed. We should not think that the woman with the discharge of blood needed to have a scholarly knowledge of Mishnaic Hebrew or Greek. This responsibility rests on Hakham Tsefet and his amanuensis who faithfully reports the narrative to us for the sake of determining the message associated with Messiah and the Torah. 

 

As noted above we can see that Shabbat HaGadol is related to the tassels/fringes worn on the tallit. We will now look at the prophetic readings to see if there is any inference from that text to show us…

 

1. The relationship of the prophetic haftarah to the fringes
2. That Shabbat HaGadol used these prophetic readings in the first century

 

We will minimize the reading for the sake of time and space.

 

Mal 3:19-20 For lo, the sun comes, glowing like a furnace, and all the audacious sinners and all the perpetrators of wickedness will be stubble. And the sun that comes will burn them up so that it will leave them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of Hosts. And the sun of mercy^[183] will rise with healing in her wings^[184] for you who fear My Name. Then will you go forth and be fat as fatted calves.

 

Rashi Mal 3:19 For lo, the sun comes This instance of יום is an expression of sun, for so did the Sages state that there will be no Gehinnom in the future, but the Holy One, blessed be He, will take the sun out of its case; the wicked will be punished thereby and the righteous will be healed thereby. That is the meaning of what is stated (verse 20): “And the sun of mercy shall rise for you who fear My Name, etc.” neither root nor branch Neither son nor grandson.

 

Rashi translates the word יום yom as “sun.” This shows the balanced disposition of judgment. The ambiguity of the text lies in the translation “sun of mercy/righteousness/generosity.” Furthermore, why should the text be translated healing in her “wings?” The feminine gender of “her wings” shows the characteristic of mercy. Furthermore, the idea of “wings” and the “sun of mercy” is a play on the idea of the dwelling presence “Shekinah” of G-d. The imagery is conjoined with the notion that those who wear the fringed tallit draw themselves into the Divine Presence by hiding beneath the “wings of the Shekinah.” The “Sun of Mercy,” Divine Presence enshrouds those who wear the Fringed Tallit. Therefore, the woman with the discharge of blood knew that if she could just touch the “wings” of the Hakham she would be drawn into the Divine Presence where she would be healed. She knew from the Prophetic reading of Malachi, which she had undoubtedly heard in some Shabbat Sermon that the phrase “Sun of Mercy” was associated with the Messiah and Divine Presence.

Adam and Chavah made fig leaves as a way to cover their bodies and “atone,” כפר – kapar for their sins. G-d has graciously given us Torah Study as a means of atonement כפר – kapar. However, G-d also gave us prayer as another means of atonement כפר – kapar. It is very apropos that those who are atoned for should wear a Fringed garment to demonstrate that fact that they are atoned for by covering themselves, כפר – kapar with the fringed garment which represents G-d’s loving and merciful presence. The wings of the sun and the wings of the Shekinah are indicative of Messiah. And, Messiah wrapped in a tallit is analogous of the Shekinah with healing in her wings.

 

Mal 3:23 Lo, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord, that he may turn the heart of the fathers back through the children, and the heart of the children back through their fathers-lest I come and smite the earth with utter destruction.

 

For those who have no love, respect or awe of G-d, Shabbat HaGadol will be a day of infamy. But, Shabbat HaGadol is a day of rejoicing for those who fear G-d. It is also noteworthy to see that the miracle of the woman with the discharge of blood comes at the commencement of the plague of blood poured out on Egypt. It is also noteworthy to see that just following Pesach we will see Yeshua raise the dead, as Pharaoh collects the dead firstborn,^[185] which permitted us to go free.

 

 

 

Hakham Shaul’s School of Remes

 

ROMANS: 2:17-29

 

¶ If you claim^[186] to be a Jew,^[187] now (through conversion) and rest^[188] in the Torah/Nomos,^[189] boast^[190] in God, know His will, and discern the things that are superior, being^[191] instructed from the Torah. And if you are convinced that you are guiding the blind,^[192] a light to those in darkness (i.e. for/to the Gentiles), an instructor of the foolish (heartless), a teacher of the immature,^[193] having in the Torah intimate (embodiment) knowledge (Da’at) and truth then you, who teach others, don't you teach yourself? You who proclaim (the Mesorah), “You must not steal,” do you steal? You say, “You must not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You detest idols do you commit sacrilege? You boast in the Torah, do you dishonor God by violating the Torah? For, as it is written: “When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said about them, “These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land in exile.” (Ezek 36:20)

 

¶ For indeed circumcision (becoming Jewish, i.e. through conversion) is of value if you are shomer^[194] Shabbat (keep, guard - shomer the mitzvoth and follow halakhah of the Hakhamim and Bate Din); but if you (intentionally) violate^[195] the Torah; your conversion (circumcision) is as if you never experienced conversion. Therefore, if a man, who has not experienced conversion, follows the justice (just requirements) of the Torah, will not his lack of having experienced conversion (uncircumcision) be as if he experienced a measure of conversion (circumcision)? And he who physically lacks circumcision (not yet a convert),^[196] and keeps the Torah, will not his faithful obedience be a testimony (judgment) against you who now possesses the Written Torah and are now a convert but remain one who (intentionally) transgress the Torah? For no one is Jewish by mere appearance and being circumcised in his flesh.^[197] Being Jewish is an inward matter of the heart (mind); by the ruach – (Nefesh Yehudi), not simply possessing an Igeret (Letter) of Conversion (Gerut); and his approbation is not from men, but from God.

 

Commentary to Hakham Shaul’s School of Remes

 

Jew or Jewish Convert?

 

The language of the opening of our pericope betrays the truth that Hakham Shaul is addressing a convert to Judaism. The phrase “if you claim to be Jewish” questions the nativity of the addressee. There seems to be some idea or possible thought that the addressee’s relationship to Judaism was in question at some point in time. This seems to be questionable in Hakham Shaul’s mind. Furthermore, the expression “if you are Jewish” makes us understand that Hakham Shaul is very direct in his discourse. If you are Jewish, you know how to “rest,” take comfort in the Torah. However, boasting in G-d seems to be a negative trait. As we have noted in the footnotes “for Philo self-glorying is wrong because in it we do not acknowledge God as the Giver of all good but forget Him and usurp His glory. The righteous, by humbly submitting to divine grace, stand high with God and thus achieve true glory.”^[198] The pericope smacks of “Legalism.” This is often found in young or early converts who have embraced Torah life. Their legalistic ways make life in the congregation miserable. In the present case, Hakham Shaul notes that the ministry of the Masoret (Chesed) is weak or lacking. Therefore, he aims to strengthen the area of chesed in the congregation. Next week’s pericope of Romans will directly address the ministry of the Chazan. And the week following it is clearly evident that Hakham Shaul is addressing the Darshan (Maggid or Prophet) by use of “oracles of G-d.”

 

Resting in the Torah: An allegorical (Remes) concept of “paraclete” (comforter)

 

In the Nazarean Codicil the Greek word παράκλητος – parakletos, “comforter” appears five times. Twice in Yochanan chapter 14, once in chapter 15, once in chapter 16 and once in the Igeret (letter) of 1^st Yochanan chapter 2. In each of these cases, the Paraclete is mentioned in a So’odic sense. We will extract from the So’od an allegorical (Remes) meaning for the Paraclete in the present setting.

 

Where is the “comforter” (Paraclete) in the writings of our Remes pericope for this week? As we enter the weeks of Nahamu, we take special note of Hakham Shaul’s vocabulary. In the opening verse of our pericope, Hakham Shaul speaks of “resting in the Torah” as we have seen above. Here Hakham Shaul uses the Greek verb ἐπαναπαύομαι – epanapauomai meaning to trust in, rely on and place one’s confidence therein. Here the verb ἐπαναπαύομαι – epanapauomai points to the subject of the Torah. In the positive sense, “resting” or “relying on” the Torah means to accept the Torah as the παράκλητος – parakletos, “comforter.” Éπαναπαύομαι – epanapauomai and παράκλητος – parakletos are essentially synonyms. In the wake of the indictments from previous pericopes, Hakham Shaul focuses on those in need of consolation and strengthening. What we find missing in the Esnoga and what Hakham Shaul addresses first is chesed, true heart of Chesed as personified in the office and ministry of the Masoret (Catechist and embodiment of the Mesorah). These ministries will be more evident as we transit through the next weeks of Nahamu. Interestingly we have seen the Hakhamim and their judgment in the past weeks. Now we will see that Hakham Shaul takes up the rebuke against those who fail to nourish and comfort the congregation.

 

Judaism or the Jewish Man must be understood differently from all other men and religions. The Jewish soul’s relationship to G-d is a relationship of man with the Torah and G-d. The Jewish soul never faces G-d alone. When we stand before G-d, we always do so with the Torah. Therefore, the Torah serves as a Paraclete and Judge for the conduct of the Jewish soul.^[199] The power of Heschel’s words are staggering. However, the advocate, i.e. the Torah can also be our judge.

 

In a manner of speaking, we could derive from the pericope that the παράκλητος – parakletos is the Masoret (chesed) the congregational catechist. This is echoed in the words, “boast in God, know His will.” If we interpret and translate these words in a positive way, we see that the Masoret can “glory” in   G-d and the knowledge of His will. The Greek word καυχάομαι – kauchaomai (rest) has a primary meaning of “glory” or “rejoice.” The Masoret, in his ministry to the congregation can bring true ability to “rejoice” in the Torah. Because the Masoret is the living embodiment of the Torah (Mesorah) and G-d’s will, he can serve as the conscience/paraclete (comforter) for the Congregation. Here we find a special connection to the 9^th of Ab. We read Eicha (Lamentations) where we find that we are to be comforted (Nahamu) in Eicha (Lamentations) 1:9, 16. In both references we see the absence of the Paraclete. This teaches us the vitality of the Esnoga’s structure where we find comfort in the unity of leadership. Likewise we can learn from this that we draw the Divine Presence, a Paraclete through Torah study and Prayer. 

 

The Jewish soul can NEVER be divorced from the Torah of G-d! The Torah of G-d is the fabric of Adam’s (man’s) being. As we have seen, the cosmos is a living Torah/Nomos. Consequently, the Torah is a part of Jewish DNA. Therefore, the Torah has a special living ability to speak to the soul of man. 

 

Hakham Shaul used the Greek συνείδησις – suneidesis (conscience) in the previous pericope. Hakham Shaul uses the word in a very special way. The conscience is in constant dialogue with the Nefesh. To capture our awareness of the human conscience we must turn to another allegoricalist, Philo.

 

 Deca 1:87 The conscience which dwells in, and never leaves the soul of each individual, not being accustomed to admit into itself any wicked thing, preserves its own nature always such as to hate evil, and to love virtue, being itself at the same time an accuser and a judge; being roused as an accuser it blames, impeaches, and is hostile; and again as a judge it teaches, admonishes, and recommends the accused to change his ways, and if he be able to persuade him, he is with joy reconciled to him, but if he be not able to do so, then he wages an endless and implacable war against him, never quitting him neither by day, nor by night, but pricking him, and inflicting incurable wounds on him, until he destroys his miserable and accursed life.^[200]

 

The conscience is of such purity that it is never quieted in the presence of evil. It is fearless in all adverse situations. In positing that the Torah is the Paraclete above we now question if the Paraclete can also be equated with the conscience. The conscience in Romans 2:15 uses the Oral Torah as a means for determining a man’s guilt or innocence. As such, the “conscience” seems to be the soul’s agitate.

 

Romans 2:15 They show that the work of the Oral Torah (the cosmic Torah) is written on their hearts. Their consciences^[201] testify of this truth, and their discerning thoughts either accusing or excusing them

 

Again, the Torah is involved in man’s direction, guidance and “comfort.” Yet, the conscience serves as witness, accuser and judge. Man who is guilty of sin cannot find a place to hide from his conscience. Klauck sees the conscience as the “high priest” of the soul based on his readings of Philo.^[202]

 

A common denominator in every case seems to be the Torah, specifically the Oral Torah (Mesorah).

 

Adam and the Oral Torah

 

As an infant Adam received the Torah in Gan Eden. As an “infant”? How are we to understand that Adam was an infant? As an infant of days, he resembles the infant in the womb where he was yet to experience “years.” His ways were the ways of months nor years. Therefore, just as the malak (Angel) teaches the infant Torah during the months in the womb, Adam was taught the Torah (Oral Torah) in Gan Eden. Who was the “Paraclete” to Adam in Gan Eden?  Was it not the Memra of G-d?

 

b. Nid 30b A light burns above its head and it looks and sees from one end of the world to the other, as it is said, then his lamp shined above my head, and by His light I walked through darkness^[203]… And there is no time in which a man enjoys greater happiness than in those days,^[204] for it is said, O that I were as the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me;^[205] now which are the days” that make up “months”^[206]  and do not make up years? The months of pregnancy of course.^[207] It is also taught all the Torah from beginning to end,^[208] for it is said, And he taught me, and said unto me: “Let thy heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments and live.”^[209] And it is also said, When the converse of God was upon my tent.^[210] Why the addition of ^[211] “and it is also said”? “In case you might say that it was only the prophet who said that,”^[212] come and hear “when the converse of God was upon my tent.^[213] As soon as it, sees the light an angel approaches, slaps it on its mouth and causes it to forget all the Torah completely, as it is said, Sin crouches at the door.^[214]

 

What is the nature of the oath that it is made to take? Be righteous, and be never wicked; and even if all the world tells you, you are righteous”, consider yourself wicked.^[215] Always bear in mind^[216] that the Holy One, blessed be He, is pure, that his ministers are pure and that the soul which He gave you is pure; if you preserve it in purity, well and good, but if not, I will take it away from you.

 

The Amoraim are represented as being visited by heavenly beings, including the prophet Elijah (e.g., TB Berakhot 29b), angels (TB Nedarim 20a; TB Menaḥot 41a), and spirits (TJ Peah 8:9, 21b). Amoraim are portrayed as speaking to the Angel of Death (TB Ḥagigah 4b–5a) and even outmaneuvering him for a time through Torah study (TB Mo’ed Katan 28a).^[217]

 

Setting aside Trinitarian dogma, we know that the Paraclete of Yochanan’s So’odic discourses is the Ruach HaKodesh. But, what (who) is the Ruach HaKodesh.

 

Midrash Rabbah B’resheet X:6 The son of Sira said: God caused drugs to spring forth from the earth; with them the physician heals the wound and the apothecary compounds his preparations.^[218] R. Simon said: There is not a single herb but has a constellation (Malak – angel) in the heavens which strikes it and says, “Grow,”^[219]

 

Note that the earth is agitated by a malak (angel) that causes it to grow. Please take note that the “vegetable” – “animal” kingdom have a governing mazal (constellation-angel).^[220] Therefore, G-d does not extend the same protection to the beasts as He does to man. Entire species of animals have a purpose decreed by God, who guides their development, sustains their population, or decrees their extermination. In general, God has established nature, governed by the mazal, in such a manner that it sustains every species. G-d “Himself supervises the angelic Agents who are appointed to maintain the existence and function of all that exists, giving them power to do their tasks.”^[221]

 

Again, the Amoraim are represented as being visited by heavenly beings, including the prophet Elijah (e.g., TB Berakhot 29b), angels (TB Nedarim 20a; TB Menaḥot 41a), and spirits (TJ Peah 8:9, 21b). The heavenly beings are often called maggidim (preachers).

 

It is general knowledge that some Jewish scholars believe the malak that speaks with us in the womb is the malak shomer, (guardian angel).^[222] Many scholars believe that the malak shomer should be equated with the Irin, עיר׳ן i.e. watchers. Cf. Dan. 4:10, 14, 20.^[223] This is a matter for later discussion.

 

 So, what is it that the malak shomer (guardian angel) does all day long? Is he constantly on guard to make sure that we are not run over by a truck? But people do get run over by trucks. Perhaps they do protect us from life’s many hazards, but is that all they do? What do we learn from the angels of G-d’s “Presence?”^[224] We deduce that they never sleep and that they never leave His presence. If we apply Remes hermeneutics^[225] to this truth, we deduce an understanding that the “malak shomer” never leaves the person, i.e. soul to whom soul he is attached. So is it that the malak shomer (guardian angel) just watches us all day long? We are told that as we enter the bathroom we ask the malak shomer to wait outside because this is the way of humans.

 

Perhaps the Divine cherubim described by Ezekiel (10:12) are also to be regarded as “guardians” in the sense that the term is used in apocalyptic literature.

 

According to the Book of Jubilees, they (the malakim) descended from Heaven at the time of Jared (cf. Gen. 5:15–20) to teach humanity the practice of Torah (law) and justice (righteous generosity - 4:15 ff.) Here we have a key detail to the work of a malak shomer (guardian angel). Now we can opine that the malakim hashomerim (guardian angels) are possibly the “angels” that teach us Torah when we are in the womb. But do we need an “angel” for this?

 

Again, setting aside Trinitarian dogma we know that the Paraclete of Yochanan’s So’odic discourses is the Ruach HaKodesh. But, what (who) is the Ruach HaKodesh. Does the Memra of G-d not animate the Malakim HaShomerim as “holy spirits”?

 

If we read the Gemara cited above, we may see that it is possible to understand the activities of the Malakim HaShomerim on a daily basis.

 

b. Nid 30b It is also taught all the Torah from beginning to end,^[226] for it is said, And he taught me, and said unto me: “Let your heart hold fast my words, keep My commandments and live.”^[227]

 

Here we opine that the Gemara is telling us that the daily duty of the Malakim HaShomerim is to teach us Torah. We further opine that the Malak Shomer is the resounding voice (i.e. conscience) that constantly agitates the soul “striking it to make it grow.” Likewise, he is the Paraclete described as the conscience in the passage cited by Philo. At the risk of redundancy, we again place the citation here for the sake of clarity and convenience.

 

Deca 1:87 The conscience (Malak Shomer) which dwells in, and never leaves the soul of each individual, not being accustomed to admit into itself any wicked thing, (he – the Malak Shomer) preserves its own nature always such as to hate evil, and to love virtue, being itself at the same time an accuser and a judge; being roused as an accuser it blames, impeaches, and is hostile; and again as a judge it teaches, admonishes, and recommends the accused to change his ways, and if he be able to persuade him, he is with joy reconciled to him, but if he be not able to do so, then he wages an endless and implacable war against him, never quitting him neither by day, nor by night, but pricking him, and inflicting incurable wounds on him, until he destroys his miserable and accursed life.^[228]

 

Interestingly, some scholars suggest^[229] that the Malak Shomer, or at least the angel that teaches us Torah in the womb will be our accuser when we stand to be judged at the end of life. He will ask us the following question, “what did you do with the Torah I taught you.”

 

What does a guardian angel do all day long? This is a question that necessitates much self-awareness as to what processes are happening consciously or unconsciously within us. The more self-awareness, the better we can answer this most important and vital question.

 

 

Romans 2:25-29

Textual analysis

 

Before we delve into the allegorical meaning and connections of the Romans pericope, we need to clarify some textual issues first. Discussion from v 26-27 deals with those who are converts or even possibly recent converts. Verses 28-29 deal with the value of being Jewish, and what that really means.

 

We must never tire of hearing the words that the Remes text is allegorical, and that we must not read these words in a strict Peshat (literal) sense. We must pay special attention to the conjunction in our pericope. The repeated phrase “if” or “as if” permeates the pericope. This is much like the previous pericope where we saw the same sentence structure. The phrase “If you claim to be Jewish” now turns to the question of circumcision. If you are “circumcised” then the Torah is of great value to you. If you are a Gentile, who does not have any reverential fear of G-d, the Torah and the idea of circumcision is of little value. Again, one MUST read these words allegorically. Failure to be Shomer Shabbat is “AS IF” your conversion was pointless. But, IF someone has not converted i.e. being circumcised, and follows the Torah it is “AS IF” he has already converted. These conditional phrases are allegorical comparative expressions. Therefore, the conditional paragraphs must be read as such.

 

The question of IF cannot apply to the Jewish people. Why? Jewish circumcision is a covenantal rite that takes place on the 8^th day. There is no question about “being circumcised.” This covenantal rite introduces the Jewish child to the covenant by means of G-d’s command. Here the allegory fails because the soul born Jewish IS shomer Shabbat, faithfully obedient to the Torah.

 

The question and allegory does not suggest that the Jewish people are any way removed from the covenant if there is a failure to keep a particular mitzvah or follow a particular halakhic practice. In the first century, there was a wide verity of Jewish sects and groups.^[230] All the sects and groups had their own practices and kept the mitzvoth is differing ways. Therefore, Hakham Shaul is not suggesting the Gentiles do not need to be circumcised. Hakham Shaul is pointing out that there is great value in circumcision (conversion) and that it is not a matter to be taken lightly.

 

Verses 28-29 show that there is more to being Jewish than a simple mark in the flesh. Circumcision is a ritual act. As a ritual act, it is a covenantal sign that one has entered into Covenant with G-d. However, a mere removal of a physical portion of skin is not a guarantee that the circumcised Gentile will follow the Torah and or obey the mitzvoth. “For no one is Jewish by mere appearance and being circumcised in his flesh.” The word that we have translated as “appearance” is φανερός – phaneros in Greek. Θανερός – phaneros means to “manifest” or “outward expression.” Therefore, the “manifestation” of an authentic conversion is not simply being circumcised or being called a Jew. Furthermore, those who believed that they were “Jewish” before their conversion are badly mistaken. One may see that his or her eventual destiny will lead them to becoming Jewish. But, one is not Jewish until he or she has been deemed so by a Bet Din. How does Hakham Shaul deal with this thought? Being Jewish is an inward matter of the heart (mind); by the ruach – (Nefesh Yehudi), not simply possessing an Igeret (Letter) of Conversion (Gerut). Only a man or a woman going through conversion obtains a judgment through a Bet Din, and therefore it is said to have received his approbation from God.

 

Ephesians, An Ecclesiastical Commentary to Romans and the counting of the Omer

 

Having now begun the comfort/strengthening Hakham Shaul allows us to have a brief picture of the coming focus of Gentile submission to the Nazarean Bate Din. This week’s connection points to the second officer of the congregation, i.e. the Chazan/Sh'liach. We will see in the coming weeks Hakham Shaul’s deep understanding of the Torah calendar. This week’s association with the Chazan, the disciplinary agent of the congregation is found in the word “circumcision.”

 

Romans 13: Therefore, whoever resists the authority of the Bet Din resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment (of the heavens) upon themselves. For the Rulers of the Synagogue^[231] are not a terror to good works (acts of righteousness/generosity i.e. positive commandments), but to (those who do) evil. Do you want to (be) irreverent to the authority of the Bet Din? Do what is beneficial, and you will have approbation from the same. For he (the Chazan)^[232] is God's servant to you for what is beneficial. But if you do that which is unprofitable, be afraid; for he (the Chazan)^[233] does not bear the circumcision knife^[234] in vain; for he is God's minister (Deputy of the Bet Din), avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore, you must be subject (obey), not only because of wrath but also for conscience's sake. 

 

Note the connection with the office of the Chazan and conversion, i.e. “circumcision.” We will find this idea to be the theme of Hakham Shaul’s Igeret to the Romans. When the present pericope of our Torah Seder weighs against the above-cited verse, we can see exactly what Hakham Shaul is saying. Furthermore, we will note that the idea of “justification by faith” is a fabricated Lutheran myth.^[235]

 

Likewise, we understand that Hakham Shaul’s letter to the “Ephesians” serves as a commentary to Romans particularly on the issue of the Counting of the Omer. The Igeret to the Ephesians is a more detailed Ecclesiological manual, which deals with Gentile subservience to the Bate Din and Hakhamim in detail.

 

Ephesians 2:11-12 Therefore remember, at that time you, were Gentiles by birth, who are called uncircumcision by those who are called circumcision, which refers to what Royal men do to their bodies;^[236] and that at one time you were without Messiah, being aliens^[237] from the legal administration of Jewish life,^[238] and strangers^[239] from the covenants of the promise,^[240] having no hope, and without God and in union with the worldly system.

 

Note the connection to “circumcision,” the legal administration of Jewish life and the connection to the Covenant of the Torah. We can insert other examples from the 2^nd week of the Counting of the Omer, but we have already cited sufficient evidence to show…

 

1. Ephesians serves as a commentary to Romans particularly on the issue of the Counting of the Omer (49 days).
2. Hakham Shaul deals with this Congregational Ecclesiology and materials here in these seven weeks of Nahamu (i.e. 49 days)

 

Questions for Reflection

 

1.      From all the readings for this Shabbat which statement touched your heart and fired your imagination?

2.      In your opinion, and taking into consideration all the above readings for this

 

Blessing After Torah Study

 

Barúch Atáh Adonai, Elohénu Meléch HaOlám,

Ashér Natán Lánu Torát Emét, V'Chayéi Olám Natá B'Tochénu.

Barúch Atáh Adonái, Notén HaToráh. Amen!

Blessed is Ha-Shem our God, King of the universe,

Who has given us a teaching of truth, implanting within us eternal life.

Blessed is Ha-Shem, Giver of the Torah. Amen!

“Now unto Him who is able to preserve you faultless, and spotless, and to establish you without a blemish,

before His majesty, with joy, [namely,] the only one God, our Deliverer, by means of Yeshua the Messiah our Master, be praise, and dominion, and honor, and majesty, both now and in all ages. Amen!”

 

Coming Festival: Passover (Pesach)

Wednesday Evening April 8, 2020 Through

Thursday Evening April 16, 2020

For further information see:

http://www.betemunah.org/chametz.html & http://www.betemunah.org/passover.html

http://www.betemunah.org/chronology.html & http://www.betemunah.org/redemption.html

http://www.betemunah.org/haggada.html & http://www.betemunah.org/pcustoms.html

& http://www.betemunah.org/seventh.html

 

 

 

Next Shabbat:

“Shabbat Hag HaMatsot” – “Sabbath of Unleavened Bread”

 

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai

Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David

Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham

 

Edited by Adon Aviner ben Abraham

Contact me at chozenppl@gmail.com

Blog: www.chozenppl.com