Triennial Cycle (Triennial Torah Cycle) / Septennial Cycle (Septennial Torah Cycle)

 

 

Candle Lighting and Habdalah Times:

 

Amarillo, TX, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:46 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:49 PM	Austin & Conroe, TX, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:17 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:17 PM	Brisbane, Australia Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 4:43 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 5:39 PM
Chattanooga, & Cleveland, TN, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:40 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:43 PM	Manila & Cebu, Philippines Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 6:09 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 7:02 PM	Miami, FL, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 7:56 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 8:53 PM
Murray, KY, & Paris, TN. U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 7:56 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:01 PM	Olympia, WA, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:52 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 10:11 PM	Port Orange, FL, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:07 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:06 PM
San Antonio, TX, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:18 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:17 PM	Sheboygan  & Manitowoc, WI, US Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:18 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:31 PM	Singapore, Singapore Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 6:53 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 7:45 PM
St. Louis, MO, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:10 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 9:17 PM	Tacoma, WA, U.S. Fri. Jun 17 2016 – Candles at 8:51 PM Sat. Jun 18 2016 – Habdalah 10:11 PM

For other places see: http://www.chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.htm

 

Roll of Honor:

 

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

His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah

His Honor Paqid Adon David ben Abraham

His Honor Paqid Adon Ezra ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Karmela bat Sarah,

His Honor Paqid  Adon Yoel ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Rivka bat Dorit

His Honor Paqid Adon Tsuriel ben Abraham and beloved wife HH Giberet Gibora bat Sarah

Her Excellency Giberet Sarai bat Sarah & beloved family

His Excellency Adon Barth Lindemann & beloved family

His Excellency Adon John Batchelor & beloved wife

Her Excellency Giberet Leah bat Sarah & beloved mother

Her Excellency Giberet Zahavah bat Sarah & beloved family

His Excellency Adon Gabriel ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Elisheba bat Sarah

His Excellency Adon Yehoshua ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Rut bat Sarah

His Excellency Adon Michael ben Yosef and beloved wife HE Giberet Sheba bat Sarah

Her Excellency Giberet Prof. Dr. Emunah bat Sarah & beloved family

His Excellency Adon Robert Dick & beloved wife HE Giberet Cobena Dick

Her Excellency Giberet Jacquelyn Bennett

His Excellency Adon Eliezer ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Chava bat Sarah

His Excellency Adon Aviner ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Chagit bat Sarah

His Excellency Adon Ovadya ben Abraham and beloved wife HE Giberet Mirit bat Sarah

His Excellency Adon Jarod Barak Barnum and beloved wife HE Giberet Crystal Barnum

His Excellency Adon Brad Gaskill and beloved wife Cynthia Gaskill

 

For their regular and sacrificial giving, providing the best oil for the lamps, we pray that GOD’s richest blessings be upon their lives and those of their loved ones, together with all Yisrael and her Torah Scholars, amen ve amen!

Also a great thank you and great blessings be upon all who send comments to the list about the contents and commentary of the weekly Torah Seder and allied topics. If you want to subscribe to our list and ensure that you never loose any of our commentaries, or would like your friends also to receive this commentary, please do send me an E-Mail to benhaggai@GMail.com with your E-Mail or the E-Mail addresses of your friends. Toda Rabba!

 

We give thanks for the mercy and lovingkindness of the God of Israel to His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu, whose operation was successful and now is walking around and busy with Torah study and translation and recuperating at home. Thanks to all who prayed for His Eminence, and we wish him a speedy and good recuperation; may God, most blessed be He grant him and beloved wife HaRabbanit Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah, a long and healthy life filled with many good deeds and the opportunity to making stand many disciples in the Torah, amen ve amen! Haleluyah!

 

We pray for a merciful healing of Her Excellency Giberet Shanique bat Sarah who is afflicted with cancer. We also pray for her daughter and family. Mi Sheberach – He Who blessed our holy and pure Matriarchs, Sarah, Ribkah, Rachel and Leah, will bless Her Excellency Giberet Shanique bat Sarah and send her a complete recovery. Please God heal her, please. Please God heal her, please. Please God heal her, please. Cure her, strengthen her, make her healthy and return her to her original strength, together with all the sick of Yisrael. And may it be so willed, and we will say, Amen ve Amen!

 

Shabbat: “VaYeshev” - “And dwelt”

 

 

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!

 

Rashi & Targum Pseudo Jonathan

for: B’resheet (Genesis) 37:1-36‎

 

Rashi’s Translation	Targum Pseudo Jonathan
1. Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan.	1. And Ya’aqob dwelt in peace in the land of the sojourning of his fathers, in the land of Kenaan.
2. These are the generations of Jacob: when Joseph was seventeen years old, being a shepherd, he was with his brothers with the flocks, and he was a lad, [and was] with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought evil tales about them to their father.	2. These are the generations of Ya’aqob. Yosef was a son of seventeen years. He had come forth from the school, and was a youth brought up with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpha his fathers wives. And Yosef brought their evil report; for he had seen them eat the flesh that had been torn by wild beasts, the ears and the tails; and he came and told it to his father.
3. And Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was a son of his old age; and he made him a fine woolen coat.	3. And Israel loved Yosef more than all his sons, because the likeness of Yosef resembled his own, and he made him a figured robe.
4. And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, so they hated him, and they could not speak with him peacefully.	4. And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, and they cherished enmity against him, and were unwilling to speak peacefully with him.
5. And Joseph dreamed a dream and told his brothers, and they continued to hate him.	5. And Yosef dreamed a dream, and declared it to his brethren, and they added yet to keep enmity against him.
6. And he said to them, "Listen now to this dream, which I have dreamed:	6. And he said to them, Hear now this dream which I have dreamed.
7. Behold, we were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright, and behold, your sheaves encircled [it] and prostrated themselves to my sheaf."	7. Behold, we were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, and lo, my sheaf arose, and stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves surrounded and bowed to my sheaf.
8. So his brothers said to him, "Will you reign over us, or will you govern us?" And they continued further to hate him on account of his dreams and on account of his words.	8. And his brothers said to him, Are you thinking to reign over us, or do you expect to have rule over us? And they added yet to keep enmity against him, for his dream and for his words.
9. And he again dreamed another dream, and he related it to his brothers, and he said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream, and behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were prostrating themselves to me."	9. And he dreamed again another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, Behold, I have dreamed yet a dream, and lo, the sun, and the moon, and eleven stars, bowed to me.
10. And he told [it] to his father and to his brothers, and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will we come I, your mother, and your brothers to prostrate ourselves to you to the ground?"	10. And he related it to his father and to his brethren: but his father rebuked him, and said to him, What dream is this that you have dreamed? Will I, and your mother, and your brethren, really come and bow before you to the ground?
11. So his brothers envied him, but his father awaited the matter.	11. And his brothers envied him; yet his father kept the saying in his heart.
12. And his brothers went to pasture their father's flocks in Shechem.	12. And his brothers went to feed their father's flock in Shekem.
13. And Israel said to Joseph, "Are your brothers not pasturing in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." And he said to him, "Here I am."	13. And it was at the time of days that Israel said to Yosef, Do not your brethren feed in Shekem? But I am afraid lest the Hivaee come and smite them, because they smote Hamor and Shekem and the inhabitants of the city. Come now; and I will send you to them And he said, Behold me.
14. So he said to him, "Go now and see to your brothers' welfare and the welfare of the flocks, and bring me back word." So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.	14. And he said, Go, see the welfare of your brethren, and the welfare of the flock, and return me word to the deep Counsel. But he sent him according to the deep counsel which was spoken to Abraham in Hebron; for on that day began the captivity of Mizraim. And Yosef arose, and came to Shekem.
15. Then a man found him, and behold, he was straying in the field, and the man asked him, saying, "What are you looking for?"	15. And Gabriel in the likeness of a man found him wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, What do you seek?
16. And he said, "I am looking for my brothers. Tell me now, where are they pasturing?"	16. And he said, I seek my brothers; show me, pray, where they feed.
17. And the man said, "They have traveled away from here, for I overheard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.' " So Joseph went after his brothers, and he found them in Dothan.	17. And the man said, They have journeyed from here: for I heard beyond the Veil, that behold from today would begin the servitude to the Mizraee; and it was said to them in prophecy, Hivaee would seek to set battle in array against them. Therefore said they, we will go unto Dothan.
18. And they saw him from afar, and when he had not yet drawn near to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.	18. And Yosef went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. And they saw him from afar, before he had come near to them, and plotted against him to kill him.
19. So they said one to the other, "Behold, that dreamer is coming.	19. And Shim’on and Levi, who were brothers in counsel, said each man to his brother, Behold, this master of dreams comes.
20. So now, let us kill him, and we will cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, 'A wild beast devoured him,' and we will see what will become of his dreams."	20. And now come let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits and say that an evil beast has devoured him; and we will see what will be the interpretation of his dreams.
21. But Reuben heard, and he saved him from their hand[s], and he said, "Let us not deal him a deadly blow."	21. And Reuben heard, and delivered him from their hands, and said, We will not kill him nor become guilty of his blood.
22. And Reuben said to them, "Do not shed blood! Cast him into this pit, which is in the desert, but do not lay a hand upon him," in order to save him from from their hand[s], to return him to his father.	22. And Reuben said, Let us not shed innocent blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but the hand of the slayer stretch not forth against him; because he would deliver him from their hand, and restore him to his father.
23. Now it came to pass when Joseph came to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his shirt, of the fine woolen coat which was upon him.	23. And when Yosef came to his brothers, they stripped him of his garment, the figured garment that was on him,
24. And they took him and cast him into the pit; now the pit was empty there was no water in it.	24. and took and threw him into the pit; but the pit was empty, no water was therein, but serpents and scorpions were in it.
25. And they sat down to eat a meal, and they lifted their eyes and saw, and behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, and their camels were carrying spices, balm, and lotus, going to take [it] down to Egypt.	25. And they sat around to eat bread. And they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and behold a band of Arabians were coming from Gilead with their camels, carrying wax, resin, balsam and stacte, proceeding to go into Mizraim.
26. And Judah said to his brothers, "What is the gain if we slay our brother and cover up his blood?	26. And Jehuda said to his brethren, What profit of mammon should we have if we killed our brother, and covered his blood?
27. Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, but our hand shall not be upon him, for he is our brother, our flesh." And his brothers hearkened.	27. Come, let us sell him to the Arabians, and our hands will not be upon him to kill him; for our brother is our own flesh. And his brethren agreed.
28. Then Midianite men, merchants, passed by, and they pulled and lifted Joseph from the pit, and they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver [pieces], and they brought Joseph to Egypt.	28. And the Midianite men, masters of business, passed by; and they drew and brought up Yosef out of the pit, and sold Yosef to the Arabians for twenty mahin of silver; and they bought sandals of them. And they brought Yosef to Mizraim.
29. And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he rent his garments.	29. And Reuben returned to the pit; for he had not been with them to assist when they sold him, because he had sat fasting on account that he had confounded the couch of his father; and he had gone and sat among the hills, that he might return to the pit and bring him up for his father, if haply he might avert his anger. But when he had returned, and looked, and, behold, Yosef was not in the pit, he rent his clothes,
30. And he returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is gone! And I where will I go?"	30. and returned to his brethren, and said, The youth is not; and I, where will I go, and how will I see the look of my father's face?
31. And they took Joseph's coat, and they slaughtered a kid, and they dipped the coat in the blood.	31. But they took the garment of Yosef, and killed a kid of the goats, because his blood is like the blood of a man, and they dabbled the garment in the blood.
32. And they sent the fine woolen coat, and they brought [it] to their father, and they said, "We have found this; now recognize whether it is your son's coat or not."	32. And they sent it by the hand of the sons of Zilpha and of the sons of Bilhah the figured garment; and they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found; know now, whether it be your son's garment, or not.
33. He recognized it, and he said, "[It is] my son's coat; a wild beast has devoured him; Joseph has surely been torn up."	33. And he recognised it and said, It is my son's garment: a beast of the wilderness has not devoured him, neither has he been slain by the hand of man; but I see by the Holy Spirit, that an evil woman stands against him.
34. And Jacob rent his garments, and he put sackcloth on his loins, and he mourned for his son many days.	34. And Ya’aqob rent his clothes, and wrapped sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
35. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to console him, but he refused to be consoled, for he said, "Because I will descend on account of my son as a mourner to the grave"; and his father wept for him.	35. And all his sons and all the men of his house arose and went to console him; but he refused to receive consolation, and said, For I will go down to my son mourning to the house of the grave. And Yitzchaq his father also wept for him.
36. And the Medanites sold him to Egypt, to Potiphar, Pharaoh's chamberlain, chief of the slaughterers.	36. But the Midianites sold him in Mizraim to Potiphar a captain of Pharoh, a captain of the guards.

 

Summary of the Torah Seder – B’resheet (Genesis) ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎37:1-36

 

·        The Story of Jacob’s Family – Gen. 37:1-4

·        Joseph and his Dreams – Gen. 37:5-11

·        Joseph is Commanded by his Father to Visit his Brothers – Gen. 37:12-22

·        A Plot Carried Out Against Joseph – Gen. 37:23-30

·        Joseph’s Brothers Try to Deceive Their Father – Gen. 37:31-36

 

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.

 

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. 3a – “The Twelve Tribes,” pp. 229-270

 

Rashi’s Commentary for: ‎ B’resheet (Gen.) ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎37:1-36

 

1 Jacob dwelt Scripture described Esau’s settlements and his generations, [but only] briefly, because they were not distinguished nor important enough to elaborate on [in detail] how they settled and the order of their wars, [or] how they drove out the Horites. [In contrast] it (Scripture) elaborates at length on the settlements of Jacob and his generations, and all the events that brought these about, since they were [considered] important [enough] to the Omnipresent to dwell upon at length. Similarly, you find regarding the ten generations from Adam to Noah: So-and- so begot so-and-so, but when it (Scripture) reached Noah, it dwelt upon him at length. Likewise, with the ten generations from Noah to Abraham, it dealt [only] briefly with them, but when it reached Abraham, it dwelt upon him at length. This can be compared to a pearl that falls into the sand: A person searches in the sand and sifts it with a sieve until he finds the pearl, and when he finds it, he casts the pebbles from his hand and keeps the pearl. (Another interpretation of “Jacob dwelt”—The camels of a flax dealer [once] entered [a town], laden with flax. The blacksmith wondered, “Where will all this flax go?” One clever fellow answered him, “One spark will come out of your bellows, which will burn it all.” So did Jacob see all the chieftains [of Esau] mentioned above (36:15-19, 40-43). He wondered and said, “Who can conquer them all?” What is written below? “These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph” (verse 2), only, and it is written: “And the house of Jacob shall be fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau shall become stubble” (Obadiah 1:18). One spark will emerge from Joseph, which will destroy and consume them all. From an old Rashi.) [From Tanchuma Vayeshev 1]

 

2 These are the generations of Jacob And these are those of the generations of Jacob. These are their settlements and their wanderings until they came to settle. The first cause [of their wanderings]: when Joseph was seventeen years old, etc. Through this [the events that unfolded], they wandered and descended to Egypt. This is according to the plain explanation of the verse, putting everything in its proper perspective. The Midrash Aggadah, however, interprets [the passage as follows]: Scripture bases the generations of Jacob on Joseph because of many things: one is that, with his entire being, Jacob served Laban only for Rachel [and Rachel bore Joseph]. In addition, Joseph’s features resembled his (Jacob’s), and whatever happened to Jacob happened to Joseph. This one (Jacob) was hated, and that one (Joseph) was hated. This one—his brother (Esau) sought to kill him, and that one his brothers sought to kill him, and likewise many [other similarities related] in Genesis Rabbah (84:6). It is further expounded upon [as follows]: “dwelt” (verse 1) When Jacob sought to dwell in tranquility, the troubles of Joseph sprang upon him. The righteous/generous seek to dwell in tranquility. Said the Holy One, blessed be He, “What is prepared for the righteous/generous in the world to come is not sufficient for them, but they seek [also] to dwell in tranquility in this world!”

 

and he was a lad He behaved childishly, fixing his hair and touching up his eyes so that he would appear handsome. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:7]

 

with the sons of Bilhah That is to say, he was frequently with the sons of Bilhah, because his [other] brothers would demean them, while he acted friendly toward them. [From Tanchuma Vayeshev 7]

 

evil tales about them-Any evil he saw in his brothers, the sons of Leah, he would tell his father: 1) that they ate limbs from living animals, 2) that they demeaned the sons of the handmaids by calling them slaves, and 3) that they were suspected of illicit sexual relationships. For these three [tales] he was punished: For [the report that his brothers ate] limbs from living animals, “they slaughtered a kid” (Gen. 37:31) when they sold him, and did not eat it alive. For the report that he told about them that they called their brothers slaves, “Joseph was sold as a slave” (Ps. 105:17), and concerning the illicit sexual relationships that he told about them, “his master’s wife lifted her eyes, etc.” (Gen. 39:7).

 

tales about them Heb. דִּבָּתָם Every expression of דִּבָּה denotes parlediz in Old French, gossip, slander. Whatever evil he could tell about them he told. דִּבָּה is an expression of making the lips of the sleeping speak(דוֹבֵב) .

 

3 a son of his old age Heb. - בֶן זְקֻנִים , for he was born to him in his old age (Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer, ch. 38). Onkelos rendered: for he was a wise son to him. Whatever he had learned from Shem and Eber he gave over to him. Another explanation: for his (Joseph’s) features (זִיו אִיקוֹנִין) resembled his own (those of Jacob). [From Gen. Rabbah 84:8]

 

fine woolen Heb. פַּסִים , a term meaning fine woolen garments, like “green wool (כַּרְפַּס) and blue wool” (Esther 1:6), and like the fine woolen coat (כְתֽנֶת פַּסִים) of Tamar and Amnon (II Sam. 13:18). The Midrash Aggadah, however, explains that it was called פַּסִים because of his (Joseph’s) troubles, namely, that he was sold to Potiphar (פּוֹטִפַר) , to the merchants (סוֹחֲרִים) , to the Ishmaelites (יִשְׁמְעִאלִים) , and to the Midianites (מִדְיָנִים) . [From Gen. Rabbah 84:8]

 

4 and they could not speak with him peacefully From what is stated to their discredit, we may learn something to their credit, that they did not say one thing with their mouth and think differently in their heart. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:9]

 

speak with him Heb. דַבְּרוֹ , [the equivalent of] לְדַבֵּר עִמוֹ , to speak with him. [From Targum Onkelos]

 

7 binding sheaves Heb. מְאַלְּמִים אֲלֻמִים , as the Targum renders: מְאַסְרִין אֱסָרִין , sheaves, and likewise, carrying his sheaves (אֲלֻמוֹתָיו) (Ps. 126:6). The same is found in the Mishnah: But [if one finds] large sheaves (וְהָאֲלֻמוֹת) , one must take [them] and announce [them] (Baba Mezia 22b).

 

my sheaf arose It stood erect.

 

and also stood upright It remained standing erect in its place.

 

8 and on account of his words Because of the evil tales that he would bring to their father.

 

10 And he told [it] to his father and to his brothers After he told it to his brothers, he told it again to his father in their presence.

 

his father rebuked him because he was bringing hatred upon himself.

 

Will we come Isn’t your mother (Rachel) already dead? But he (Jacob) did not know that the matters referred to Bilhah, who had raised him (Joseph) as [if she were] his mother (Gen. Rabbah 84:11). Our Rabbis, however, derived from here that there is no dream without meaningless components (Ber. 55a/b). Jacob, however, intended to make his sons forget the whole matter, so that they would not envy him (Joseph). Therefore, he said, “Will we come, etc.” Just as it is impossible for your mother, so is the rest meaningless.

 

11 awaited the matter Heb. שָׁמַר . He was waiting and looking forward in expectation of when it (the fulfillment) would come. Similarly, “awaiting (שׁוֹמֵר) the realization [of God’s promise]” (Isa. 26:2), [and] “You do not wait (תִשְׁמוֹר) for my sin” (Job 14:16). You do not wait. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:12]

 

12 to pasture their father’s flocks Heb. לִרְעוֹת אֶת-צֽאן . There are dots over the word אֶת , for they went only to “pasture” [i.e., feed] themselves. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:13]

 

13 “Here I am.” An expression of modesty and eagerness. He went with alacrity to fulfill his father’s command although he knew that his brothers hated him. [From Mechilta Beshallach, second treatise, introduction]

 

14 from...Hebron But is not Hebron on a mountain? It is stated: “And they ascended in the south, and he came as far as Hebron” (Num. 13:22). But [it is to be understood that he sent him] from the deep counsel of the righteous man who is buried in Hebron (i.e., Abraham), to fulfill what was said to Abraham between the parts (Gen. 15:13). [From Gen. Rabbah 84:13]

 

and he came to Shechem a place destined for misfortune. There the tribes sinned, there Dinah was violated, there the kingdom of the house of David was divided, as it is said: “And Rehoboam went to Shechem” (I Kings 12:1). [From Sanh. 102a]

 

15 Then a man found him This is [the angel] Gabriel, as it is said: “And the man Gabriel” (Dan. 9:21). [From Tanchuma Vayeshev 2]

 

17 They have traveled away from here They removed themselves from brotherhood.

 

‘Let us go to Dothan.’ Heb. נֵלְכָה דֽתָינָה , to seek regarding you legal pretexts (נִכְלֵי דָתוֹת) , by which they could put you to death. According to its simple meaning, however, it is a place- name, and a Biblical verse never loses its simple sense.

 

18 they plotted Heb. וַיִתְנַכְּלוּ . They were filled with plots and cunning.

 

against him Heb. אֽתוֹ , similar to אִתּוֹ or עִמוֹ , i.e. אֵלָיו , to him.

 

20 and we will see what will become of his dreams Rabbi Isaac said, This verse says: “Expound on me.” [I.e., this verse demands a midrashic interpretation.] The Holy Spirit says thus: They (the brothers) say, “Let us kill him,” but the verse concludes: “and we will see what will become of his dreams.” Let us see whose word will stand up, yours or Mine. It is impossible that they (the brothers) are saying, “and we will see what will become of his dreams,” because, since they will kill him, his dreams will come to nought. [From Tan. Buber, Vayeshev 13]

 

21 “Let us not deal him a deadly blow.” Heb. לֹא נַכֶּנוּ נָפֶשׁ . Literally, let us not smite him the soul. [This is equivalent to] מַכַּת נֶפֶשׁ , [let us not deal him] a deadly blow, which means death. [From Targum Onkelos]

 

22 to save him The Holy Spirit testifies for Reuben that he said this only to save him, so that he would [be able to] come and take him out of there. He said, “I am the firstborn and the eldest of them all. The sin will be attributed only to me.” [from Gen. Rabbah 84:15]

 

23 that they stripped Joseph of his shirt This is the shirt.

 

of the fine woolen coat which was upon him This is what his father gave to him, more than his brothers. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:16]

 

24 now the pit was empty—there was no water in it Since it says: “now the pit was empty,” do I not know that there was no water in it? For what purpose did the Torah write, “there was no water in it”? [To inform us that] there was no water in it, but there were snakes and scorpions in it. [From Shab. 22a, Chag. 3a]

 

25 a caravan Heb. אֽרְחַת , as the Targum renders שְׁיָרַת , [ אֽרְחַת ] because of those who travel on the way (אֽרַח) .

 

and their camels were carrying, etc. Why did Scripture publicize their burden? To let you know the reward of the righteous/generous, for it is customary for Arabs to carry only naphtha and tar, whose odor is foul, but for this one (Joseph) it was arranged [that they should be carrying] spices, so that he should not be afflicted by a foul odor. [Mechilta Beshallach, treatise 2, section 5]

 

spices Heb. נְכֽאת . Any collection of many spices is called נְכֽאת . Similarly, “and he showed them his entire storeroom of spices (בֵּית נְכֽתֽה) ” (II Kings 20:13), the compounding of his spices. Onkelos, however, renders it as a word meaning wax.

 

balm Heb. וּצְרִי , a sap that drips from balsam trees, and this is נָטָתּ , sap, which is enumerated with the ingredients of the incense [used in the Temple] (Exod. 30:34-38).

 

and lotus Heb. וָלֽט . This is called לוֹטִיתָא in the language of the Mishnah (Shevi’ith 7:6). Our Sages defined it as a root of an herb, called aristolochie, birthwort, in Tractate Niddah (8a).

 

26 What is the gain What money [will we profit]? As the Targum renders.

 

and cover up his blood And conceal his death.

 

27 And… hearkened Heb. וַיִשְׁמְעוּ , [which the Targum renders:] וְקַבִּילוּ מִינֵיהּ , and they accepted from him. Every instance of שְׁמִיעָה that signifies acceptance, such as this one and such as “And Jacob listened (וַיִשְׁמַע) to his father” (Gen. 28:7), “We will do, and we will listen (וְנִשְׁמָע) ” (Exod. 24:7), is translated נְקַבֵּל . Every instance that means the hearing of the ear, [however,] such as “And they heard (וַיִשְׁמְעוּ) the voice of the Lord God going in the garden” (Gen. 3:8), “But Rebecca overheard (שׁוֹמַעַת) ” (ibid. 27:5), “and Israel heard (וַיִשְׁמַע) [of it]” (ibid. 35:22), “I have heard (שָׁמַעְתִּי) the complaints” (Exod. 16:12), are all rendered [respectively]: וּשְׁמַע , וּשְׁמָעַת , וּשְׁמָעוּ , שְׁמִיעַ קֳדָמַי .

 

28 Then Midianite men, merchants, passed by This is another caravan, and Scripture informs you that he was sold many times. [From Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 13]

 

and they pulled The sons of Jacob [pulled] Joseph out the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites, and the Ishmaelites to the Midianites, and the Midianites to Egypt. [From Midrash Asarah Harugei Malchuth]

 

29 And Reuben returned But when he (Joseph) was sold, he (Reuben) was not there, for his day to go and serve his father had arrived (Gen. Rabbah 84:15). Another explanation: He was busy with his sackcloth and his fasting for disarranging his father’s bed (Peskikta d’Rav Kahana ch. 25.

 

30 …where will I go? Where will I flee from Father’s pain?

 

31 and they slaughtered a kid Its blood resembles that of a human. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:19, Targum Jonathan]

 

the coat Heb. הַכֻּתּֽנֶת . This is its name. [I.e. this is the absolute state.] But when it is connected to another word [i.e. in the construct state], as in “Joseph’s coat” (כְּתֽנֶת יוֹסֵף) , “a fine woolen coat” (כְּתֽנֶת פַּסִים) (above, verse 3), [and] “a linen shirt” (כְּתֽנֶת בַּד) (Lev. 16:4), it is vowelized כְּתֽנֶת .

 

33 and he said, “[It is] my son’s coat…” It is [my son’s coat]. [From targumim]

 

a wild beast has devoured him [This means that] the Holy Spirit flickered within him: Potiphar’s wife will ultimately provoke him (Gen. Rabbah 84:19). Now why did the Holy One, blessed be He, not reveal it (the truth) to him? Because they (the brothers) excommunicated and cursed anyone who would reveal [it], and they included the Holy One, blessed be He, with them, but Isaac, however, knew that he was alive [but] he said, “How can I reveal it if the Holy One, blessed be He, does not wish to reveal it to him?” [from Tanchuma Miketz]

 

34 many days Twenty-two years from the time he (Joseph) left him until Jacob went down to Egypt, as it is said: “Joseph was seventeen years old, etc.” (verse 2), and he was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh, and the seven years of plenty, “For this is already two years of the famine” (Gen. 45:6) when Jacob came to Egypt. Here are 22 years corresponding to the 22 years that Jacob did not fulfill [the mitzvah] to honor his father and mother: 20 years that he was in Laban’s house, and two years that he was on the road when he returned from Laban’s house, one and a half years in Succoth and six months in Beth-el. This is what he [meant when he] said to Laban, “This is twenty years for me in your house” (Gen. 31:41). They are for me, upon me, and I will ultimately suffer [for twenty years], corresponding to them. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:20, Meg. 16b-17a]

 

35 and all his daughters Rabbi Judah says: Twin sisters were born with every tribe, and they married them. Rabbi Nehemiah says: They were Canaanite women. But what is the meaning of “and all his daughters”? A person does not hesitate to call his son-in-law his son and his daughter-in-law his daughter. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:21]

 

but he refused to be consoled No one accepts consolation for a person who is really alive but believed to be dead, for it is decreed that a dead person should be forgotten from the heart, but not a living person. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:21, Pes. 54b]

 

I will descend on account of my son Heb. אֶל-בְּנִי . There are many instances of אֶל that serve as an expression of עַל , “on account of,” e.g. “on account of (אֶל) Saul and on account of (וְאֶל) the bloody house” (II Sam. 21:1); “because (אֶל) the Ark of God had been taken and because of (וְאֶל) (the death of) (sic) her father-in-law and her husband” (I Sam. 4:21).

 

as a mourner to the grave Heb. שְׁאֽלָה . According to its simple meaning, it is a term denoting the grave. In my mourning I will be buried, and I will not be consoled all my days (Targum Jonathan ben Uzziel). [According to] its midrashic interpretation, however, [ שְׁאוֽל means] Gehinom. This sign was given into my hand from God, that if none of my sons dies within my lifetime, I am assured that I will not see the face of Gehinnom. [From Tanchuma Vayigash 9, Midrash Yelammedenu]

 

and his father wept for him This refers to Isaac. He was weeping over Jacob’s distress, but he did not mourn [for Joseph], for he knew that he was alive. [From Gen. Rabbah 84:21]

 

36 chief of the slaughterers Those who slaughter the king’s animals.

 

 Ketubim: Psalms ‎‎‎31:1-25

 

 

Rashi’s Translation	Targum
1. To the conductor, a song of David.	1. For praise; a psalm of David.
2. I took refuge in You, O Lord; let me not be shamed forever; rescue me with Your righteousness.	2. In your word, O LORD, I have placed my hope; I will never be disappointed; by your generosity save me.
3. Incline Your ear to me, quickly rescue me; be a rock of strength to me, a stronghold to save me.	3. Incline your ear to me, in haste save me. Be for me a strong fortress, a fortified stronghold to redeem me.
4. For You are my Rock and my Stronghold, and for Your name's sake, You shall lead me and guide me.	4. For you are my strength and trust; and for the sake of your name, guide me and sustain me.
5. You shall free me from this net which they have hidden for me, for You are my stronghold.	5. Take me out of this net that they spread for me, for you are my strength.
6. In Your hand I entrust my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.	6. Into your hand I will place my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, true God.
7. I hated those who await worthless vanities, but I hoped for the Lord.	7. I hate those who observe practices that are like vanity and lies; but I have relied on the LORD.
8. I will exult and rejoice in Your kindness, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul.	8. I will rejoice and be glad in your kindness, for you have seen my affliction, you know the troubles of my soul.
9. And you did not deliver me into the hands of an enemy; You have placed my feet in a broad place.	9. And you have not handed me over to the hand of my enemy; you have made my feet stand in a broad place.
10. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is dimmed from anger, my soul and my belly.	10. Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in distress. My eye is wasted from agitation; my soul and my belly are destroyed.
11. For my life is spent in grief and my years in sighing; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones have decayed.	11. For my life is ended in misery, and my years in sighing; my strength has failed because of my sin, and my limbs are used up.
12. From all my tormentors I have become a reproach-and very much so to my neighbors-and fright to my acquaintances; those who see me outside avoid me.	12. I have become a more shameful thing than all my oppressors, and more so to my neighborsÐ a fearful thing to those who know me, those who see me in the street flee from my presence.
13. I was forgotten like a dead person, out of mind; I was like a lost utensil.	13. I am forgotten like a dead man from the mind; I have become like a broken vessel of the potter.
14. For I heard the gossip of many, terror from all sides when they take counsel together against me; they plotted to take my soul.	14. Because I have heard an evil report which many peoples say about me; terror is all around when they gather together against me; they have planned to take my soul.
15. But I trusted in You, O Lord; I said, "You are my God."	15. But I have put my trust in you, O LORD; I said, "You are my God.
16. My times are in Your hands; rescue me from the hands of my enemies and from my pursuers.	16. In your hand are the times of my redemption; save me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
17. Cause Your countenance to shine upon Your servant; save me with Your kindness.	17. Shine your countenance on your servant; redeem me by your goodness.
18. O Lord, let me not be shamed because I called out to You; let the wicked be shamed, let them be silenced to the grave.	18. O LORD, I will not be disappointed, for I have called upon you; let the wicked be disappointed, let them be silent and descend to Sheol.
19. Let lying lips become mute, those that speak against a righteous man falsely, with haughtiness and disdain.	19. Let the lips of falsehood be stopped up, the lips that speak slander against the righteous in pride and contempt.
20. How great is Your goodness that You have laid away for those who fear You, that You have worked for those who take refuge in You, in the presence of the sons of men!	20. How great is your goodness that you have hidden for those that fear you; you have acted for those who hope in you, to pay them a good reward in front of the sons of men.
21. You shall hide them in the secrecy of Your countenance, from bands of men; protect them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.	21. You will hide them in a hiding place in the time of your anger from troops of warriors; you will conceal them as in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
22. Blessed is the Lord for He has been wondrously kind to me in a besieged city.	22. Blessed be the LORD, for he has exhibited his kindness to me in the walled city.
23. But I said in my haste, "I have been cut off from before Your eyes," but You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You.	23. And I thought when I sought to flee, I have been eliminated from the presence of your glory; but in truth you heard the sound of my prayer when I made supplication to you.
24. Love the Lord, all His pious ones. The Lord guards those who believe [in Him] and He pays with a bowstring him who works with haughtiness.	24. Love the LORD, all his devotees; the LORD keeps the faithful from harm, and pays back the haughty who act proudly.
25. Strengthen yourselves, and He will give your heart courage, all who hope to the Lord.	25. Be strong, and let your mind be sturdy, all you who have confidence in the word of the LORD.

 

 

Rashi’s Commentary on Psalms ‎‎‎‎31:1-25

 

3 a stronghold Pleysiz in Old French, a fortress.

 

4 You shall lead me Heb. תנחני , mene moi in French, lead me, as (in Exod. 32:34): “go lead (נחה) the people.”

 

6 I entrust Heb. אפקיד , komondere in Old French, I will entrust. I always entrust my spirit because You redeemed me from trouble.

 

7 those who await worthless vanities Who await the salvation of pagan deities.

 

9 deliver me Heb. הסגרתני , livras moi in French, but Menachem (p. 125) associated it as an expression of closing, and likewise every expression of סגר .

 

10 is dimmed Heb. עששה , an expression of a lantern, עששית . If a person puts glass in front of his eyes to see something on the other side of the glass, the appearance (of that thing) is unclear.

 

11 and my bones have decayed Heb. עששו , an expression of decay, as though a moth (עש) had eaten them.

 

12 From all my tormentors From all my tormentors [not because of my tormentors].

 

I have become a reproach Heb. חרפה , a reproach.

 

to my neighbors I am very much a reproach.

 

and fright to my acquaintances A mes connaissances in French, to my acquaintances. They are frightened by what happens to me.

 

13 like a lost utensil Which is in the process of becoming lost. Any expression of אבדה , loss, does not refer to the owner of the lost article, saying that he lost it, but that the lost article is lost from him, as is stated (in Deut. 22: 3): “which will be lost from him”; (in Ezek. 34:4), “the lost one you did not seek.”

 

14 the gossip of many Heb. דבת , the counsel of many. דבת is an expression of (Song 7:10): “making the lips of the sleeping speak (דבב) .” Likewise, every דבת in Scripture, parledic in Old French, gossip (so Gen. 37:2, Num. 14:36, Ezek. 36:3).

 

terror from all sides that they scare and frighten me.

 

when they take counsel Heb. בהוסדם , when they take counsel.

 

they plotted Heb. זממו , an expression of thought.

 

16 My times are in Your hands The times that pass over me are through Your orders and by Your decrees.

 

18 let me not be shamed because I called out to You Since I called You, it is not fitting that I should be shamed.

 

let them be silenced to the grave Heb. ידמו , let them be silenced and made dumb to die.

 

19 that speak against a righteous man falsely That say to Saul concerning me, “David seeks to harm you.”

 

falsely Heb. עתק , untruth, something unfounded, as (Gen. 12:8): “And he moved (ויעתק) from there” [i.e., something removed from the truth]. Dunash (pp. 17f.) however, interpreted it as an expression of a great and strong thing, as (in Job 21:7): “grow strong (עתקו) and powerfully rich”; (Prov. 8:18), “powerful (עתק) wealth”; (Isa. 23: 18), “and for stately (עתקו) clothing.”

 

20 How great is Your goodness I knew that those who fear You have good reward in the world to come, nevertheless, in this world, because the wicked surround them, I pray for them that You hide them in the secrecy of Your countenance.

 

21 from bands of men Heb. מרכסי , from the groups of wicked men who group together to harm them.

 

22 for He has been wondrously kind to me in a beseiged city In Keilah, when Saul said concerning me (I Sam. 23:7): “for he has been shut in by coming into a city with doors and bars.”

 

23 But I said in my haste When I left Keilah and came to the desert of Maon, I was hastening to leave because Saul and his men were surrounding me and my men, to seize us.

 

I said in my heart.

 

I have been cut off Heb. נגרזתי , I have been cut off, an expression of an ax (גרזן) which cuts the tree. Because of its cutting (גרזתו) , it is called גרזן , an ax. This is how Dunash explained it (p. 57). (Menachem, however, defined it like נגרשתי , I have driven out, but it has no parallel in the Torah. (p. 59).

 

24 The Lord guards those who believe in His salvation and rely on Him.

 

with a bowstring Heb. יתר (with measure for measure and with exactitude, like an arrow on a bowstring. Not in all editions.) Or, יתר can be interpreted as a rope for a rope, a line for a line. Another interpretation:יתר is an expression of haughtiness, as (in Isa. 15:7): “Because of the haughtiness (יתרה) with which they acted.”

 

25 Strengthen yourselves, and He will give your heart courage as you see that He did for me, to save me because I hoped for Him.

 

Meditation from the Psalms

Psalms ‎‎31:1-25

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

 

 David composed this psalm while he was fleeing from the wrath of Saul,^[1] who pursued him relentlessly. Although the psalm does not specify particular episodes, the commentators find in it allusions to various instances when David was in mortal danger at Saul's hands.

 

Once while playing music to soothe Saul's troubled spirit, David was the target of a spear hurled at him by the king. It missed him only by a hair's-breadth.^[2] The persecution forced David to flee from Eretz Israel. The prophet Gad called upon him to return to the Land.^[3] Then, a divine message sent David to the town of Ke'ila to save its inhabitants from the invading Philistines. The townspeople treacherously betrayed David to Saul and planned to lock him inside their fortified walls to prevent his flight. Divinely forewarned, David escaped this trap and hid in the Desert of Ziph. Once again his whereabouts were betrayed to Saul^[4] this time by the inhabitants of this wilderness.^[5]

 

David's most precarious plight was when he was trapped by Saul's army while on the rock of division^[6] again HaShem intervened to save him.

 

In each of these episodes David sought aid and refuge in HaShem alone. In gratitude, he dedicated this psalm to HaShem, his Savior.^[7]

 

Purim is a feast celebrated in gratefulness to HaShem for preserving us in the midst of great danger. It seems fitting, therefore, that we should examine the many festivals associated with Purim.

 

I have studied for a long time, but this is the first time that I have been struck by the seemingly pervasive nature of Purim; and that it seems to suffuse the entire year. Because of the pervasive nature of Purim, I am convinced that there is a whole lot more to the story than I have previously seen.

 

Purim seems to serve as the revelation of Mashiach ben David,^[8] the destruction of wickedness, and the wedding feast of Mashiach.

 

Purim is a very profound festival with cosmic implications! In case you have not noticed, Purim and its counterparts will tap you on the shoulder at regular intervals and demand your attention. If you are sensitive to her call, Purim will reveal Mashiach and the end of days.

 

Buckle your seatbelt, it is about to get real interesting!

 

Introduction

 

On Purim we read the Megillah of Esther. The Megillah, as we shall see, is the blueprint for the end of days.

 

Esther is related to the word “nistar”, which means hidden, and the word Megillah^[9] which is related to the word “megaleh”, which means “to reveal”. Thus the Megillah of Esther can be literally translated as “Revelation of the Hidden”.^[10]

 

Purim has been held in high esteem by the Jewish community at all times. This high esteem is unusual given that Purim is Rabbinically ordained based on the Megillah of Esther. What is even more unusual is that we have so many major and minor holy days that have ‘purim’ as part of their name.

 

The story of Purim is, essentially, another chapter in the ongoing conflict between the Bne Israel and Amalek.^[11]

 

Chazal, our Sages, teach that, “All festivals will one day cease, but the days of Purim will never cease”.^[12] Since Purim contains within it the major themes and influences of all the other festivals, the influence of Purim is a concentrated culmination of them all. Once the final redemption occurs, all the festivals of the Torah will be observed through their portended progeny, Purim.

 

This is actually alluded to in Megillat Esther itself:

 

Esther 9:28 And these days of Purim shall never pass from among the Jews nor shall their commemoration ever cease from among their seed.

 

After the final redemption, Purim’s miracles will be seen as being greater than all the earlier miracles, for by means of Purim’s miracles our nation remained in existence to witness the final redemption.

 

The Gemara makes a curious statement that may be apropos to this study:

 

Megillah 2a R. Shaman b. Abba replied in the name of R. Johanan: Scripture says, To confirm these days of Purim in their times.^[13] [which indicates that] they laid down many ‘times’ for them. But this text is required for its literal meaning?^[14] — If that were all, Scripture could say simply ‘at the [appointed] time’. What then is implied by ‘their times’? A large number of ‘times’! But still I may say that [the expression ‘their’ times’] is required to indicate that the time of one is not the same as the time of the other?^[15] — In that case, Scripture should say [simply], ‘their time’. Why does it say ‘their times’? So that you may infer from this all of them. But cannot I say that ‘their times’ means ‘numerous times’?

 

It seems the Gemara hints that there are many ‘purims’.

 

The following lists shows the major and minor festivals which have ‘purim’ as part of their name. I have carefully arranged them in the order in which they are encountered. Because they are ‘festivals’, they are arranged according to the months. This order is very important, as we shall see.

 

 

Some great Hakhamim^[16] have said that Purim is as great as the day on which the Torah was given on Sinai.^[17] How can this be?

How can a relatively minor holiday, which many think of as a kind of Jewish Halloween, be afforded this measure of veneration? According to the Talmud, it derives from a line in the Megillah: “The memory of Purim will never cease from among their descendants.”^[18]

The reason for this lies with Esther, the heroine of the Megillah of Esther. Her name, in Hebrew, also means “hidden”. In the Megillah, the word “HaShem” is never mentioned. HaShem, during the festivities of Purim, is hidden.

 

Purim is strange because Jews are called to learn and to know Torah. We are supposed to discern between the clean and the unclean, between the good and the bad, and between the holy and secular, except on Purim! On Purim we are commanded to drink strong drink until Ad d'lo Yada, which means that we drink until we no longer know the difference between blessed in Mordecai and cursed in Haman.

 

1. Judaism makes it a mitzvah (only on this one day) to be drunk on Purim.
2. The name of HaShem is never mentioned in the Megillah of Esther.
3. The Megillah of Esther is a book of happenstance, of coincidence.

Hidden but not absent. That is why Jews will always celebrate Purim. No matter how many Hamans, Hitlers, and Ahmadinejads come our way, a miraculous hidden power is always there to redeem us. The Jewish role in the ever-unfolding drama of civilization continues now and forever.

 

Let’s take a brief, generalized look at each of these ‘purims’ in order to understand their importance.

 

Yom Kippurim Katan (“little Yom Kippurim”) refers to the day before Rosh Chodesh, of each month, as this is likened to a beginning^[19] and therefore, more of an opportunity to do teshuva.^[20] This minor festival originated among the Safed Kabbalists in the 16th century and is referred to by a disciple of Hakham Moshe Cordovero,^[21] Abraham Galante, who states that it was a local custom in Safed for men, women, and older children to fast on this day and to spend the whole day in prayer, and confession of sin. He called it Yom Kippurim Katan because on it the sins of the entire month are atoned for.

 

Why do we have a Purim Katan and a Yom Kippurim Katan, but not a Shavuot Katan, Succoth Katan, or a Chanukah Katan?

 

These two days are the extremes of the festivals. Yom Kippurim is the extreme of deprivation, and Purim is the extreme of indulgence. It is specifically these two great days, Yom Kippurim Katan and Purim Katan, to remind us that both ways of life have to be lived in moderation, not in extreme.

 

According to the Shulchan Aruch, the miracles of Purim differ from the other festivals. On Pesach, Shavuot, and Succoth, the miracles were obvious, and no one could deny them. By contrast, Purim’s miracles were done in a hidden manner. To topple Haman, and bring the Bne Israel^[22] back to HaShem, HaShem brought many different elements into play, orchestrating everything so that one might think that salvation “came” to Israel by chance, in a “natural” way. Thus if a person seeks to avoid the truth, he is given leeway, and he can deny the miracles of Purim.

 

In leap years on the Hebrew calendar, Purim is celebrated in the second month of Adar. The 14th of the first Adar is then called Purim Katan (“Little Purim” in Hebrew), for which there are no set observances but there is a minor holiday aspect to it.

 

Purim Katan is celebrated by those who live in cities which did not have a wall, around them, in the days of Yehoshua.^[23]

 

The day of Purim Katan (the 14th day of Adar I) should be viewed as a relatively rare event, because in the 19-year Metonic cycle^[24] of regular years and leap years we have nineteen Purims (which occurs on the 14^th day of the second Adar), but only seven Purim Katans (which occurs on the 14^th day of the first Adar), according to the Jewish calendar.

 

The day of Purim Katan (the 14th of Adar I) should be viewed as a precious guest.

 

Purim Katan is the only time we have a minor festival preceding the actual festival. This suggests that there is something special about a leap year which demands a Purim Katan. Since Purim Katan is a time to prepare for Purim, we learn that Purim is an extremely important festival.

 

Purim Katan contains an allusion to Mashiach, a descendent of King David, about whom it states:

 

1 Shmuel (Samuel) 17:14 And David was the smallest (katan): and the three eldest followed Saul.

 

Although we use the term small (katan) with regard to Purim Katan, therein lies its greatness, “this small one (alluding to Purim Katan and King David) will be great,” with the true and complete redemption.

 

Other occasions when the Jews have been delivered from mass destruction sometimes get the title Purim Katan (minor or small Purim). The celebration was modeled after that of Purim with fasting the day before, reading a Megillah that recounted the story of salvation, reciting the al Hanassim prayers, and holding a special fast. One well known Purim Katan was the Wintz Purim of 1614, when the Jews of Frankfurt-am-Main were driven from the city by a mob led by Wintz Fettmilch. When the emperor intervened, the Jews were allowed to return to their homes. The Encyclopedia Judaica lists more than 100 special Purims.

 

According to the Midrash, any man or city for whom a miracle has occurred, may make a Purim. Some of these are Purim Fettmilch, Purim of Tiberias, Purim of Shiraz, Curtain Purim, Purim of Bandits, Purim of the Poisoned Sword, Purim of the Bomb.

 

In leap years on the Hebrew calendar, Shushan Purim is celebrated in the 15^th day of the second month of Adar. The 15th of the first Adar is then called Shushan Purim Katan (“Little Shushan Purim” in Hebrew), there are no set observances but it does have a minor festival aspect to it.

 

Shushan Purim Katan is celebrated by those who live in cities which had a wall around them in the days of Yehoshua.^[25] Today the only city that we are certain had walls in Yehoshua’s time is Jerusalem. This is despite the fact that in the days of Yehoshua, under whose leadership the Bne Israel first entered and conquered the Land of Israel, Shushan was not yet surrounded by a wall, and hence enjoyed only minor status as a city. This suggests that there is something very special about a wall which is essentially unrelated to the time of Shushan Purim Katan!

 

Therefore, most people do not celebrate Shushan Purim Katan.

 

The day of Shushan Purim Katan (the 15th day of Adar I) should be viewed as a relatively rare event, because in the 19-year Metonic cycle of regular years and leap years we have nineteen Shushan Purims (which occurs on the 15^th day of the second Adar), but only seven Shushan Purim Katans (which occurs on the 15^th day of the first Adar), according to the Jewish calendar.

 

The day of Shushan Purim Katan (the 15th of Adar I) should be viewed as a precious guest.

 

Shushan Purim Katan is the only time, with the exception of Purim Katan, we have a minor festival preceding the actual festival. This suggests that there is something special about a leap year which demands a Shushan Purim Katan. Since Shushan Purim Katan is a time to prepare for Shushan Purim, we learn that Shushan Purim is an extremely important festival.

 

Shushan Purim Katan contains an allusion to Mashiach, a descendent of King David, about whom it states:

 

1 Shmuel (Samuel) 17:14 And David was the smallest (katan): and the three eldest followed Saul.

 

Although we use the term small (katan) with regard to Shushan Purim Katan, therein lies their greatness, “this small one (alluding to Shushan Purim Katan and King David) will be great,” with the true and complete Redemption.

 

Purim is a Rabbinically ordained Jewish festival that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot to annihilate all of them in the ancient Persian Empire as recorded in Megillat Esther.

 

The festival of Purim has been held in high esteem by Judaism at all times. The Talmud teaches that when all the prophetical and hagiographical works will be nullified, the Book of Esther will still be remembered, and, accordingly, the Feast of Purim will continue to be observed.^[26]

 

The four main mitzvot of the day are:

1. Listening to the public reading, usually in synagogue, of Megillat Esther in the evening and again in the following morning.
2. Sending food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot).
3. Giving charity to the poor (matanot l’evyonim).
4. Eating a festive meal (Seudah)

 

Shushan Purim is celebrated by those who live in cities which had a wall, around them, in the days of Yehoshua. Today the only city that we are certain had walls in Yehoshua’s time is Jerusalem. This is despite the fact that in the days of Yehoshua, under whose leadership the Bne Israel first entered and conquered the Land of Israel, Shushan was not yet surrounded by a wall, and hence enjoyed only minor status as a city.

 

This suggests that there is something very special about a wall which is essentially unrelated to the time of Shushan Purim!

 

Therefore, most people do not celebrate Shushan Purim.

 

When the main Purim date, the 14th of Adar, comes out on a Friday, then in Jerusalem there is a situation called Purim HaMeshulash,^[27] a three part Purim celebration. Shushan Purim is then on the 16th day, rather than the 15th day, of Adar. Each day has a different focus. The giving of money can’t occur on Shabbat and since it would be unfair to make the poor wait a day, so it is moved to the 14th of Adar. The Megillah reading in Jerusalem takes place on the 14th as well.

 

This “triple” Purim is a chance to strengthen the celebration even outside of Israel, since on Friday the Purim meal cannot be carried over after dark, as is usually done. These are not very common; they cluster (about every 2-3 years) and then they leave gaps as large as thirteen years.

 

Yom Kippurim,^[28] יוֹם כִּפּוּר, is the festival of the Day of Atonement. It falls on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, the seventh month of the calendar.^[29]

 

The Talmud hints to a connection between Haman and the sin of Adam and Chava. The Gemara asks, “What is the source for Haman in the Torah?” The Gemara answers with the quote from HaShem to Adam after the sin:

 

Chullin 139b Where is Haman indicated in the Torah? — In the verse: Is it [hamin] from the tree?^[30]

 

The Sages, in their subtle fashion, are pointing out to us that the evil of Haman has its roots in the very first sin of Adam and Chava in Gan Eden, which means that the victory over Haman should connect to the situation of Adam and Chava before the effects of their sin. This makes it especially appropriate that Yom Kippurim, the Day of Atonement, should have a strong connection to Purim. Yom Kippurim is the day when the sin of Adam and Chava is atoned and it is the day when Haman, and therefore evil, is eliminated from the world.

 

In what other way is Yom Kippurim similar to Purim? In the same way that on Purim we see that even what appears to be coincidence, is under the direct instruction of HaShem. On Purim we destroy Amalek, after reading the Megillah, after reading events that took place over nine years in forty-five minutes, it becomes clear that there is no such thing as coincidence, on Purim all doubt is destroyed. In the same way on Yom Kippurim having previously established Hashem as King, we are like angels, totally spiritual, there is no doubt, there is no questioning. It is only at the end of Yom Kippurim that we can truly exclaim “HaShem Hu HaElokim”. It is not enough to crown HaShem; we must confirm the coronation of Rosh HaShana on Yom Kippurim by removing all doubts.

 

The opening prayer of Yom Kippurim, the Kol Nidrey, literally “All Vows”, prayer is chanted to a beautiful melody at the opening of Yom Kippurim. It is an ancient appeal to HaShem to forgive any vows made to him that are impossible to fulfill, thus preparing the worshiper to meet him on this holiest of Biblical festivals.  As the cantor chants the prayer, it is customary for two people to stand on either side of him or her, just as Aharon and Hur stood on either side of Moshe during the battle against Amalek.

What is the connection between Amalek and the opening prayer of Yom Kippurim?  Throughout the Days of Awe from Rosh HaShana through Yom Kippurim, we pray for HaShem to establish his sovereignty in our midst, and that we would be fit subjects of his reign. Rabbi Soloveitchik notes, however, that “HaShem’s sovereignty is not absolute as long as Amalek continues to exist”.  He goes on to ask, “Who then is Amalek, whose presence somehow inhibits HaShem’s sovereignty?”

 

In a remarkable insight, Rabbi Soloveitchik places Amalek in the context of the Creation story, when “HaShem created the earth from tohu vavohu, chaos and void”.^[31] At the Creation, HaShem did not completely eliminate chaos, but allowed some to remain. “Amalek represents this leftover chaos, identified with sin, which remained behind so man himself can actively play a role in destroying it.”

 

Yom Kippurim also has many similarities to Purim. This can even be seen by the name “Yom Ki-Purim” which means, “a day like Purim.”^[32] If Yom Kippurim is like Purim, the implication is that Purim is even greater than the Day of Atonement.

 

Yom Kippurim is only like Purim, similar to Purim, but not exactly the same as Purim, the Arizal^[33] said, because the celebration of Purim contains within it some aspects that are loftier than Yom Kippurim. It is as if to say:  Yom Kippurim is the appetizer, but the real meal is Purim!

 

The following table details some comparisons between Purim and Yom Kippurim:

 

 

 

Purim	Yom Kippurim
Techelet, crimson, gold, silver of King Achashverosh’s palace.[34]	Techelet, crimson, gold, silver of HaShem’s palace.[35]
Wine in the palace.[36]	No wine in His palace.[37]
Disobedience leads to the death of Achashverosh’s wife.	Disobedience leads to the death of HaShem’s wife.
Achashverosh is in an inner room.[38]	HaShem is in an inner room (Holy of Holies).[39]
No one allowed without an invitation.[40]	No one allowed without an invitation.[41]
Achashverosh keeps books of deeds.[42]	HaShem keeps books of deeds.[43]
Esther wears special clothes to see Achashverosh.[44]	Kohen Gadol wears special clothes to see HaShem.[45]
Haman’s daughter lays feces on his head.[46]	Kohen Gadol lays sins on goat’s head.[47]
Lots used to determine good day to destroy the Jews.[48]	Lots used to determine which goat is for HaShem.[49]
Fasting before feasting.[50]	Feasting before fasting.[51]
Feasting to serve HaShem. [52]	Fasting to serve HaShem. [53]

 

On Yom Kippurim the Jews fast to attain atonement for the transgressions of the body. On Purim one achieves the same through different means, by feasting and rejoicing (physical pleasures become sanctified from above on Purim). If on one festival one attains holiness through affliction and on another festival one attains holiness through pleasure, which is the greater of the two? It may be said that the one who attains holiness through pleasure is the greater, for the attainment of holiness through pleasure requires a much greater degree of effort.

 

Rabbi Soloveitchik found two similarities between these two days which only superficially are really very different. He says, “Perhaps the feature common to both Purim and Yom Kippurim is that aspect of Purim which is a call for Divine compassion and intercession, a mood of petition arising out of great distress.” On Yom Kippurim too, “the prayerful mood of Yom Kippurim emerges out of a sense of spiritual anxiety and the desperate need for reconciliation with HaShem.”

 

Both Purim and Yom Kippurim “involve the casting of lots (goral) characteristic of games of chance. As for the Purim goral it determined the date chosen by Haman for the destruction of the Jews.” For the Yom Kippurim Temple service, two male goats, identical in appearance, size, and value, were brought, one marked “for HaShem”, and the other was hurled to its destruction.^[54]

 

Just as Yom Kippurim contains a mitzva of eating and drinking followed by the mitzva of fasting, so too, Purim also contains these two mitzvot. However, the order of the mitzvot are inverted. First is the mitzva of fasting and then the mitzva of eating and drinking.

 

Just as one says Selichot^[55] before Yom Kippurim and on Yom Kippurim, so too we say Selichot before Purim, on the Fast of Esther, and there are even those that say one should say Selichot on Purim itself.

 

In the Megillah, we find reference to fasting day and night. And we also find the wording HAMELECH YOSHEIV AL KISEI... The king is sitting on his throne, in the Megillah. This reminds us of the phrase from the morning prayers of Yom Kippurim (and Rosh HaShana) of the same wording, referring to HaShem. (Of course, the phrase exists for Shabbat and all festivals as well, but the image it conjures up is more like Yom Kippurim.)

 

The Tikunei Zohar point out striking parallels between Esther’s approach to Achashverosh and the High Priest’s service in the Temple on Yom Kippurim: The fasting Queen Esther, dressed in special garments, entered the King's inner chamber at the risk of her life in order to bring salvation to the Jewish people and the fasting High Priest, dressed in special white vestments, entered the normally off-limits inner sanctum of the Temple also at the risk of his life to pray for the people’s forgiveness.^[56]

 

This Yom Kippurim - Purim dichotomy is alluded to at the beginning of Bereshit. Adam and Eve are placed in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by unmatched beauty. They are seemingly given but one command, not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

 

As several commentaries point out, however, there was, in fact, yet an additional command: “From all the trees in the garden you shall eat”.^[57] Not just granting permission, an actual command, rather, to enjoy the magnificent delicacies placed before them. This mitzva is the source for the intriguing statement of the Talmud Yerushalmi: “In the future we will all have to answer to HaShem for all that our eyes saw [in His world, with all it has to offer] and did not partake of”.^[58]

 

As we all know, Adam and Eve failed to heed the command to abstain from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. But they also failed to regard the positive instruction of eating from all other trees as an actual mitzva. Perhaps we can suggest that HaShem’s precious gift to us of the double-sided coin of Yom Kippurim and Purim provides us with the opportunity to atone for those two grave errors.

 

On Yom Kippurim we learn how to refrain from food and drink, in addition to other mundane delights. There is a time and a place for everything, we learn and try our utmost to apply, and certain things are indeed off limits. We elevate ourselves to become like Adam in Gan Eden, and attempt to rectify his grave error of disobeying HaShem’s command. Simply put, it’s a time for transcending the physical world around us.

 

We flip to the other side of the coin and find Purim, a day providing us with an opportunity to expiate for the sin of disobeying HaShem’s positive command to partake of all the other magnificent trees. On Purim we are credited with mitzvot for eating a festive meal and drinking plenty of wine. HaShem made us human with human needs and desires, but our attitude must be that we do our best to partake and enjoy, to consume and imbibe, because that is also the will of HaShem. Enjoy His world and its delightful treasures. But only if you recognize Who the source of it all is, and that HaShem gave mortal man these gifts as a means of getting close to Him through His physical world as well.

 

Purim vs. Shushan Purim

 

Why do we have two festivals on two adjacent days, which commemorate essentially the same event? Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner^[59] suggests the following answer:

 

There were two times that the Bne Israel were involved in battles with Amalek.

1. When we came out of Egypt, Amalek attacked the weak at the edge of the camp.^[60]
2. When HaShem commanded King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites.^[61]

 

There are essentially two different scenarios with the two battles:

1. Amalek attacked us and we were in danger.
2. We attacked Amalek and we were not in danger.

 

We had the same scenarios in Megillat Esther:

1. On Purim, Amalek attacked us and we were fighting for our lives.
2. On Shushan Purim, we were no longer in danger and we were attacking to wipe out Amalek.

 

These two scenarios are also behind the fact that Shushan Purim is celebrated by those who live in cities that were walled in the days of Yehoshua. The walls suggest a city that is not in danger. An unwalled city suggests a city in danger. It was only in Yehoshua’s days that the command to destroy Amalek took effect. The third and final fulfillment of the destruction of Amalek will occur at the end of days, and it is then that Amalek will be entirely destroyed and erased from memory forever.

 

Interestingly, Purim is compared not only to Yom Kippurim but also to the other holidays as well. Hakhamim of previous times have noted the following allusions:

 

Purim is like Pesach in that on both occasions the Jews were delivered from bondage to freedom.

Purim is like Shavuot in that the Jews reaffirmed their acceptance and commitment to the Torah.

Purim is like Rosh Hashanah^[62] in that the existence of the Jewish People hung in the balance as a result of the King’s decree.

Purim is like Yom Kippurim in that the Jews were expiated of their sins.

Finally, Purim is like Succoth whose commemoration of the protective Divine Clouds of Glory^[63] parallels HaShem’s providential protection of the Jews against their enemies in Persia.

 

The End of Days

 

Amalek represents evil in the world. When Amalek is destroyed there will be no more evil in the world. This will take place in the end of days.

 

The Talmud^[64] clarifies the process of the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash (the holy Temple). It states that the nation of Israel is commanded to perform three commandments sequentially after they occupy the land of Israel:

 

1. They are to appoint a king, 2. They are to eradicate the offspring of Amalek. 3. They are to construct the holy Temple.

 

The eradication of Amalek comes after we have a King who is a descendant of Rachel (Either from the tribe of Yosef or from the tribe of Benyamin).^[65] Only AFTER Amalek is destroyed can Mashiach ben David, the King, restore the Beit HaMikdash.

 

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh said: “The most frequently mentioned sefirotic term in the book of Esther is malchut (kingship). No other Biblical text contains such a concentration of references to the term malchut. Out of a total of 167 verses in the book, there are over 240 appearances of the root Melech (king). In one verse (Esther 4:11), the word HaMelech (The King) actually appears five times. In another verse (Esther 5:1), the root Melech appears in variant forms a full six times! This itself is a major indication of the Book of Esther’s strong Kabbalistic character, as malchut is the key to understanding the entire drama of creation according to the Kabbalah.”^[66]

 

We had a precursor of the end of days, in the days of king Saul. King Saul was the first king after the Bne Israel conquered the land of Israel, in the days of Yehoshua. King Saul disobeyed HaShem’s command to completely destroy Amalek. Because of his mis-placed mercy, Amalek survived. Amalek will not be so fortunate in the days of Mashiach. In the end of days, Amalek will be destroyed. We know this because of what is recorded in Megillat Esther.

 

In Megillat Esther, we see that Mordechai is the Benjamite^[67] who destroyed Amalek. He is also the one who laid the foundation of the Temple by teaching the children about the mincha offering and by encouraging the teshuva^[68] and fasting that caused the people to cleave to HaShem. In the end he is crowned as king, second only to The King.^[69] The story of the complete destruction of Amalek, is the story of Purim as found in Megillat Esther. The complete repentance of the Bne Israel, in the days of Mordechai, speaks of the repentance of the Bne Israel in the end of days. Megillat Esther lays out the script for the end of days.

 

Ashlamatah: Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 32:18 – 33:6, 15

 

Rashi	Targum
1. ¶ Behold for righteousness shall a king reign, and over princes who rule with justice.	1. Behold, the king will reign for truth, and the righteous/generous will be exalted to take just retribution from the Gentiles.
2. And the man shall be as a hiding- place from the wind and a shelter from the rain, as rivulets of water in an arid land, as the shade of a huge rock in a weary land.	2. The righteous/generous who hide ‎themselves from the wicked will be like those who hide themselves from a tempest; they will return and be exalted and their teaching will ‎be accepted in haste like streams of water that flow in a thirsty land, like the shadow of a cool rock in a weary land.
3. And the eyes of them that see shall not be sealed,	3. Then the eyes of ‎the righteous/generous will not be closed, and the ears of those who listen to teaching will hearken.
4. And the heart of the hasty shall understand to know, and the ears of them that hear shall attend, and the tongue of the stammerers shall hasten to speak clearly.	4. The mind of the dreamers will have good ‎judgment, and their tongue, which was dumb, will speak readily and distinctly.
5. A vile person shall no longer be called generous, nor shall a deceitful person be said to be noble.	5. The wicked will no more be called righteous/ generous, nor will ‎those who transgress His Memra be said to be noble.
6. For a vile person speaks villainly, and his heart works iniquity, to practice flattery, and to speak lies about the Lord, to empty the soul of the hungry, and the drink of the thirsty he causes to fail.	6. For the wicked speak wickedness, and in their mind they conceive oppression: ‎to practise deceit, to utter error before the LORD, to weary the soul of the righteous/generous, who desire teaching as a hungry person [desires] ‎bread, and the words of the Law, which they desire as a thirsty person [desires] water, they think to void.
7. As for the deceitful person, his instruments are evil; he plans wicked plots, to destroy the poor with false words, and when the needy speaks a plea.	7. The deeds of the wicked ‎are evil; they devise over sinful plans to ruin the poor with lying words and the pleas of the needy in judgment.
8. But the generous person plans generous deeds, and he, because of generous deeds, shall stand. {S}	8. But the righteous/generous devise ‎truth, and they will be established by their truth. ‎{S}
9. Complacent women, rise, harken to my voice, confident daughters, bend your ears to my speech.	9. Rise up, you provinces who dwell contentedly, hear My voice; you fortresses that lie in safety, give ear to My Memra.
10. Year after year, shall you be troubled, you confident ones, for the vintage has failed; the ingathering shall not come.	10. Days with ‎years those who lie in safety will shudder; for the grain has ceased, there is no produce to gather.
11. Tremble, complacent ones, to be troubled, confident ones, to undress and to bare, and to gird on the loins.	11. Those who dwell contentedly are ‎shattered, those who lie in safety shudder; they strip, and make themselves bare, and gird [sackcloth] upon loins.
12. [They shall beat] on the breasts, lamenting, for the desirable fields, for the fruitful vines.	12. They beat upon ‎breasts for the pleasant fields, for bearing vines,
13. On my people's soil thorns and briers shall come up, for on all the houses of joy, the joyful city.	13. for the land of My people which will bring‎ up briers and thorn; yea, for all the joyous houses in the strong city.
14. For the palace has been forsaken, the multitude of the city has been abandoned, rampart and tower are amidst ruins forever, a joy for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks.	14. For the sanctuary is desolate, the multitude of the cities which ‎were its service are devastated; our stronghold and our hiding place has been searched, now it is desolate and devastated for a time; a ‎place that was a house of joy, a pleasure for kings, now has become a plundering of armies;
15. Until a spirit be poured us from on high, and the desert shall become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest.	15. all this until a spirit comes for us from ‎Him whose Shekhinah is in the heavens of the height, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field causes many cities ‎to be inhabited.
16. And justice shall dwell in the desert, and righteousness shall reside in the fruitful field.	16. Then those who perform judgment will dwell in the wilderness, and those who do righteousness/generosity abide in the fruitful ‎field.
17. And the deed of righteousness shall be peace, and the act of righteousness [shall be] tranquility and safety until eternity.	17. And those who do righteousness/generosity will be quiet and dwell in safety for ever.
18. And My people shall dwell in a dwelling of peace, and in secure dwellings and in tranquil resting-places.	18. My people will abide in their habitations at ‎ peace, upon their land in safety, and in their cities contentedly.
19. And He shall hail down the hailing of the forest, and into the low state shall the city be humbled.	19. And hail will come down and kill the armies of the Gentiles, and ‎their residents will be devastated and come to an end.
20. Fortunate are you who sow by all waters, those who send forth the feet of the ox and the donkey. ‎{S}‎	20. Happy are you, the righteous/generous; you have made good deeds for yourselves, you ‎who resemble those who sow beside irrigation, who send the oxen to thresh and the asses to gather. {S}‎
1.  Woe to you who spoil and you are not spoiled, and who deal treacherously, and they did not deal treacherously with you. When you finish your spoiling, you shall be spoiled, when you finish dealing treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with you. {S}‎	1. Woe to you, who comes to plunder-will they not plunder you? Who comes to rob-will they not rob you? When you come to plunder, they ‎will plunder you; and when you tire of robbing, they will rob you. {S}‎
2. O Lord, be gracious to us! We have hoped for You. Be their arm every morning, also our salvation in time of trouble.	2. LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for Your Memra. Be our ‎stronghold on every day, our saviour in the time of trouble.
3. From the sound of roaring peoples have wandered; from Your exaltation, nations have scattered.	3. At the thunderous noise the peoples are shattered, at many prodigies the ‎kingdoms are scattered;
4. And your booty shall be gathered like the gathering of the locusts, like the roaring of the cisterns does he roar therein.	4. and the house of Israel will gather the possessions of the Gentiles, their adversaries, just as those who gather ‎the caterpillar; setting afire weaponry just as those who set kindling a fire.
5. The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.	5. The LORD is strong who makes His Shekhinah dwell in the ‎heavens of the height, who promises to fill Zion with those who perform true judgment and virtue.
6. And the faith of your times shall be the strength of salvations, wisdom and knowledge; fear of the Lord, that is his treasure. {P}	6. And that which You promised, to ‎do good to those who fear You, will happen, You will bring and establish in its time, strength and salvation, wisdom, and knowledge for ‎those who fear the LORD, the treasure of His goodness is about (to come). {P}
7. ¶ Behold [for] their altar they have cried in the street; ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.	7. Behold, when it will be revealed to them, the messengers ‎of the Gentiles will cry out in bitterness; those who went to announce peace return to weeping in soulful bitterness.
8. Highways have become desolate, the wayfarer has stopped; he has abrogated the treaty, despised cities, considered no man.	8. The highways ‎lie waste, the wayfaring men cease. Because they changed the covenant, they will be cast away from their cities; the sons of men did not ‎regard that the evil was coming upon them.
9.  The land mourns, it has been cut off; he disgraced the Lebanon, it was cut off; the Sharon became like the plain, and Bashan and Karmel have become emptied.    {S}	9. The land mourns and is desolate; Lebanon is dried up and fades; Sharon is like the desert; ‎and Bashan and Carmel are devastated. {S}
10. "Now I will rise," says the Lord. "Now I will be raised; now I will be exalted.	10. ‎"Now I will be revealed," says the LORD, "now I will lift Myself up; now I will be exalted.
11. You shall conceive chaff; you shall bear stubble. Your breath is fire; it shall consume you."	11. You conceive for yourselves wicked ‎conceptions, you Gentiles, you make yourselves evil deeds; because of your evil deeds My Memra. as the whirlwind the chaff, will‎destroy you.
12.  And the peoples shall be as the burnings of lime; severed thorns, with fire they shall be burnt.  {P}	12. And the peoples will be burned with fire; thorns cut down are burned in the fire." {P}
13. ¶ Hearken, you far-off ones, what I did, and know, you near ones, My might.	13. Hear, you righteous/generous, who have ‎kept My Law from the beginning, what I have done; and you penitent, who have repented to the Law recently, acknowledge My might.
14. Sinners in Zion were afraid; trembling seized the flatterers, 'Who will stand up for us against a consuming fire? Who will stand up for us against the everlasting fires?'	14. Sinners in Zion are shattered; fear has seized them. To the wicked whose ways are thieving they say. "Who can dwell for us in Zion, ‎where the splendour of the Shekhinah is like a devouring fire? Who can sojourn for us in Jerusalem. where the wicked are about to be ‎judged and handed over to Gehenna, everlasting burning?"
15. He who walks righteously, and speaks honestly, who contemns gain of oppression, who shakes his hands from taking hold of bribe, closes his ear from hearing of blood, and closes his eyes from seeing evil.	15. The prophet said. The righteous/generous will sojourn in it, everyone who walks ‎in innocence and speaks uprightly, who despises mammon of deceit, who removes his soul from oppressors. who withholds his hands, lest ‎they accept a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing those who spill innocent blood and averts his eyes from looking upon those who do evil,
16. He shall dwell on high; rocky fortresses shall be his defense; his bread shall be given [him], his water sure.	16. he, his camping place will be in a high and exalted place, the sanctuary; his soul will amply provide his food; his water will be sure ‎as a spring of waters whose waters do not cease.
17. The King in His beauty shall your eyes behold; they shall see [from] a distant land.	17. Your eyes will see the glory of the Shekhinah of the Eternal King in His celebrity; ‎you will consider and behold those who go down to the land of Gehenna.
18. Your heart shall meditate [in] fear; where is he who counts, where is he who weighs, where is he who counts the towers?	18. Your mind will reckon up great things: ‎‎"Where are the scribes, where are the reckoners?" Let them come if they are able to reckon the number of the slain heads of the armies ‎of the mighty ones.
19. A people of a strange tongue you shall not see, a people of speech too obscure to comprehend, of stammering tongue, without meaning.	19. You will no more see the mastery of a strong people, the people whose obscure speech you cannot comprehend,‎scoffing with their tongue because there is no understanding among them.
20. See Zion, the city of our gathering; your eyes shall see Jerusalem, a tranquil dwelling, a tent that shall not fall, whose pegs shall never be moved, and all of whose ropes shall not be torn.	20. You will look upon their downfall, Zion, city of our‎assemblies!‎ Your eyes will see the consolation of Jerusalem in its prosperity, in its contentedness, like a tent which is not loosed, whose stakes are ‎never plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken.
21. But there, the Lord is mighty for us; a place of broad rivers and streams, where a galley with oars shall not go, and a great ship shall not pass.	21. But from there the might of the LORD will be revealed to do good for us, ‎from a place of rivers going forth, overflowing, broad, where no fishermen s ship can go, nor any great sailboat can pass through.
22. For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our ruler; the Lord is our king; He shall save us.	22. For the LORD is our judge, who brought us by His might out of Egypt, the LORD is our teacher, who gave us the teaching of His law ‎from Sinai, the LORD is our king; He will save us and take just retribution for us from the armies of Gog.
23. Your ropes are loosed, not to strengthen their mast properly; they did not spread out a sail; then plunder [and] booty were divided by many; the lame takes the prey.	23. In that time the Gentiles ‎will be broken of their strength, and will resemble a ship whose ropes are cut, which has no strength in their mast, which has been cut,‎and it is not possible to spread a sail on it. Then the house of Israel will divide the possessions of the Gentiles, booty and spoil in ‎abundance; although there are blind and lame among them, even they will divide booty and spoil in abundance.
24. And the neighbor shall not say, "I am sick." The people dwelling therein is forgiven of sin. {S}	24.  From now on ‎they will not say to the people who dwell in safety all around the Shekhinah, "From you a stroke of sickness has come upon us"; the ‎people, the house of Israel, will be gathered and return to their place, forgiven of their sins.‎ {S}

 

 

Rashi’s Commentary for: Yeshayahu (Isaiah) ‎32:18 – 33:6,15‎‎‎‎ ‎

 

Chapter 32

 

1 Behold, for righteousness shall a king reign Behold a king has no right to reign except to execute righteous/ generous judgment.

 

and over princes who rule with justice And over whom should he reign? Over princes who rule with justice. The prophet says this concerning Ahaz, who was a wicked man, but Hezekiah his son shall rule, and he is worthy. ([Manuscripts read:] And he is worthy of reigning.)

 

2 And the man shall be The hero in the fear of the Holy One, blessed be He - that is Hezekiah - shall be for Israel.

 

as a hiding place from the wind As a shelter of a rock, where people hide because of the wind, and they hide there because of the heat ([mss. read:] because of the rain), so will those remaining from the ten tribes trust in him.

 

in an arid land. (בְּצָיוֹן) an expression of dryness, desolation (צִיָּה) .

 

as the shade of a huge rock in a weary land In a sunny place, where the earth is weary and dry and yearning for shade.

 

3 And the eyes of them that see shall not be sealed (Heb. תִשְׁעֶינָה ) Not as they are now, that “his ears are becoming heavy, and his eyes are becoming sealed (הָשַׁע) ” (supra 6:10), an expression of sealing.

 

4 And the heart of the hasty shall understand to know Not like now, that “this people’s heart is becoming fat” (ibid.).

 

and the tongue of the stammerers, etc. Not like now, “for with distorted speech” (supra 28:11).

 

stammerers Anyone who does not know how to direct his speech to be clear is termed עִלֵּג or נִלְעַג .

 

5 deceitful (כִּילַי) a plotting deceiver, who plots evil.

 

noble (שׁוּעַ) an expression of a lord, to whom everyone turns (שׁוֹעִין) .

 

6 speaks villainy (יְדַבֵּר) like מְדַבֵּר , a present tense.

 

works iniquity (יַעֲשֶׂה) Gathers thoughts of iniquity. Comp. (Deut. 8:17) “Gathered (עָשָׂה) for me this wealth.”

 

to practice flattery (לֲַעֲשׂוֹת) He thinks thoughts how he can practice flattery. חֽנֵף is a noun; therefore, the accent is on the first syllable, it is vowelized with a ‘pattah’ (now called a ‘segol’).

 

and the drink of the thirsty he causes to fail According to the simple meaning, they rob the poor. The Targum, (however, paraphrases:) The words of the Torah, which are like water to the thirsty, they plan to nullify.

 

7 and when the needy speaks a plea (מִשְׁפָּט) To destroy the needy in his plea (מִשְׁפָּטוֹ) . This word מִשְׁפָּט is an expression denoting the initial presentation of the case; when the needy presents his pleas, this one plans wicked plots to trap him with his devices. The word מִשְׁפָּט has three meanings: the initial pleas (derajjsnement in O.F.), the sentence (joujjment), and the execution of the verdict, that they discipline him with chastisement (joustize in O.F.).

 

8 because of generous deeds, shall stand Because of his generous acts, he will have preservation.

 

9 Complacent women Provinces that dwell in tranquility [from Jonathan].

 

confident daughters Walled cities that dwell confidently [from Jonathan].

 

10 Year after year (lit., ‘days upon a year.’) Comp. (supra 29:1) “Add year to year,” and your sins are constantly becoming more serious, until eventually you shall be troubled, those who are now confident, for the vintage of the grapes shall be over for them, and the ingathering of the grain shall not come into the house.

 

the ingathering (אֽסֶף) This is a noun; therefore, its accent is on the first syllable and it is vowelized with a ‘pattah’ (now called a ‘segol’).

 

11 to be troubled (רְגָזָה) to be troubled. (This is an infinitive despite the absence of the ‘lammed.’)

 

to undress (פְּשֽׁטָה) to undress. (This too is an infinitive with the ‘lammed’ missing.)

 

and to bare (וְעֽרָה) An expression of ‘naked’ (עֶרְיָה) (Micah 1:11).

 

and to gird (וַחֲגוֹרָה) Therefore, the accent is before the last syllable, and so did Jonathan render: Undress and bare yourselves and gird on your loins. Since they will undress and bare themselves of their garments, they will not gird on their garments but on their loins.

 

12 on the breasts, lamenting They shall beat their heart.

 

for the desirable fields For the fields of their desire. The Midrash Aggadah (See twenty-fourth poem to Lamentations Rabbah) states: For the sages of the Sanhedrin, who are like breasts that nurture, they will lament, and for the city of their desire that will be plowed up like a field, and for the fruitful - vine that is Israel, called a vine, as it is said (Psalms 80:9): “You plucked a vine out of Egypt.”

 

13 Thorns and briers The Targum renders: הוּבֵאִי וּבוּר various types of thorns, for all this destruction shall be on all houses of joy, and on

 

the joyful city Jerusalem, which is “the joy of all the land” (Lamentations 2:15).

 

14 For the palace The king’s palace has been forsaken.

 

the multitude of the city has been exiled.

 

rampart and tower My Temple, which was a fortification for them.

 

are amidst ruins (הָיָה בְּעַד מְעָרוֹת) , shall be amidst ruins. מְעָרוֹת is an expression similar to (Psalms 137:7) “Raze it, raze it (עָרוּ עָרוּ) .” בְּעַד is like “(Job 22:13) Can He judge through (הַבְעַד) a thick cloud?”

 

forever Until the time of the end.

 

a joy for wild donkeys For the lust of Ishmael and his hosts.

 

15 Until...be poured upon us (יֵעָרֶה) He shall pour upon us. Comp. (Gen. 24:2) “And she emptied (וַתְּעַר) her pitcher.” An expression of pouring applies to spirit. Comp. (Zech. 12:10) “And I will pour upon the house of David...a spirit of grace.” Comp. also (Joel 3:1) “I will pour My spirit upon all flesh.”

 

shall be regarded as a forest (Jonathan renders:) Great cities, like this forest, which is full of trees.

 

16 And justice shall dwell in the desert In Jerusalem, which is like a desert.

 

and righteousness shall reside in the fruitful field That is the land of Israel, which in those days shall be like a fruitful field.

 

19 And He shall hail down the hailing of the forest (וּבָרַד בְּרֶדֶתהַיָּעַר) Perforce, this word וּבָרָד is not a noun, since half of it is vowelized with a ‘kamatz’ and half of it with a ‘pattah’ in an expression of פָּעַל . (Rashi distinguishes בָּרַד from בָּרָד , the noun denoting hail.) And so is its interpretation, an expression of an action, like ‘and he shall wash’ (וְרָחַץ) , ‘and he shall sit’ (וְיָשַׁב) , ‘and he shall stand’ (וְעָמַד) . Here too,וּבָרַד ‘and He shall hail down the hailing of the forest.’ Then the ‘beth’ of בְּרֶדֶת is a radical, like עֲטֶרֶת , ‘a crown,’ עֲקֶרֶת ‘a barren woman.’ That is to say that the Holy One, blessed be He, shall rain down the rain of the coals of the wicked, those who are now built up and full of cities like a forest.

 

and into the low state Into which Israel has been humbled until now, shall the metropolis of Persia (Seir, Edom, [according to various mss.]) be humbled. In a similar manner did Jonathan render it: And hail will come down and kill the camps of the nations.

 

20 Fortunate are you Israel, that the sowing of your righteousness has succeeded like those who sow by all waters. From now on, you shall reap and gather the grain of your good reward; you shall send forth the feet of the ox to thresh the grain, and the donkey to bring it into the house. So did Jonathan render it: You shall receive the reward of your good work.

 

 

Chapter 33

 

1 Woe To the enemy, that you constantly spoil, but you are not spoiled, and you constantly deal treacherously, but no man deals treacherously with you or spoils you.

 

when you finish being a spoiler, when you finish your spoiling of those upon whom it was decreed to be spoiled by you, you shall be spoiled.

 

when you finish dealing treacherously (כַּנְּלֽתְךָ) Menahem classified כַּנְלֽתְךָ with (Job 15:29) “And their destruction (מִנְלָם) shall not fall to the earth,” in one group (Machbereth Menahem, p. 123). In the word מִנְלָם , the first ‘mem’ is a radical which sometimes is absent, like the ‘mem’ of מַאֲמָר , a statement, and of מַדָּע , knowledge, and it is possibly an expression of ending, according to the context. כַּנְּלֽתְךָ is an expression of ‘when you finish.’ “And מִנְלָם shall not fall to the earth,” the destruction decreed upon them shall not fall to the earth to become progressively void, but will become progressively stronger.

 

2 Be their arm of the spoiled ones in the hand of the spoiler. (Note that we followed other editions of Rashi. Nach Lublin is erroneous in this passage.)

 

every morning Daily, when they are in straits, also You be our salvation in time of trouble.

 

3 From the sound of roaring that emanated from before You, peoples wandered until here when You performed wondrous miracles for us.

 

4 And your booty shall be gathered This refers back to “when you finish dealing treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with you,” and your booty, you, who spoil My people, when your reckoning comes, the remnant of My people shall plunder you and gather your booty like the gathering of locusts, each one of whom gathers grain for himself in summer; here too, each one will plunder for himself.

 

like the roaring of the cisterns Like the sound of the roar of water gathering and falling into the cisterns in the river, so will those coming to plunder and pillage, roar. מַשַּׁק is an expression of roaring. Comp. (Prov. 28:15) “A roaring lion and a growling (שׁוֹקֵק) bear.” Also (Zeph. 2:9), “The noise (מִמְשַׁק) of the thorns.” When the wind blows on the thorns, and they knock against one another, they produce a sound. Comp. also, (Joel 2:9) “In the city they roar (יָשֽׁקּוּ) .”

 

cisterns (גֵּבִים) like (supra 30:14) “or to scoop water from a cistern (מִגֶּבֶא) .” Our Sages expounded it in the Aggadah of Chapter Chelek (San. 94b) as referring to the booty of Sennacherib’s soldiers.

 

5 for He dwells on high He demonstrated His might, that He is exalted above all, and He has the upper hand.

 

6 And the faith of your times, etc. And it shall be for you for strength of salvations and for wisdom and knowledge, that you will be faithful to your Creator concerning the times that He set for you for terumoth and tithes at the time of their separation, for gleanings, forgotten sheaves, and the corner of the field in their time, to leave them over for the poor, to keep release years and jubilee years in their time. Another explanation is:

 

faith of your times What you believed in the Holy One, blessed be He, in times that passed over you, and you hoped for salvation, shall become your strength.

 

fear of the Lord That you shall fear Him - that is a good treasure to open up for you from before Him.

 

7 Behold [for] their altar they have cried in the street The prophet was prophesying consolations and saying that the retribution had already been completed, and from now I will rise and exalt Myself to redeem them. Behold for their Arel - that is the altar (see above 29:1) - they have already cried and lamented in their streets and in their squares with weeping and wailing.

 

ambassadors of peace And the ambassadors whom they send, who were wont to bring tidings of peace, cry bitterly and say, “Highways have become desolate, the wayfarer has stopped.”

 

8 he has abrogated the treaty The enemy has abrogated the treaty he made with Israel.

 

despised cities He despised in his eyes; no enemy considers any man.

 

9 mourns (אָבֵל) an expression of mourning.

 

it was cut off Dried and cut off.

 

became ( הָיָה , lit. was.) This is the past tense.

 

the Sharon The name of a region of pasture for animals, as we learned (Men. 87a): Rams from Moab, calves from Sharon.

 

like the plain a ruin.

 

have become emptied (וְנֽעֵר) An expression of shaking out. Comp. (Ex. 14: 27): “And the Lord shook (וַיְנַעֵר) .”

 

10 Now I will rise Because of the many evils the enemy perpetrated against My people, I will no longer restrain Myself; now I will rise, be raised and be exalted.

 

11 chaff (חֲשַׁשׁ) a kind of chaff, something that is easily ignited. your

 

breath is fire From your body shall emanate breath of fire and will consume the chaff and the stubble.

 

12 severed (כְּסוּחִים) Comp. (Lev. 25:4) “You shall not prune.” Onkelos renders: לָא תִכְסָח .

 

13 you far-off ones Those who believe in Me and do My will from their youth.

 

you near ones Repentant sinners who have recently drawn near to Me.

 

14 Sinners in Zion were afraid How they would find an opening to repent.

 

Who will stand up for us against a consuming fire? (lit., Who will live for us a consuming fire?) I.e., who will stand up for us to appease burning wrath? Alternatively, who among us will dwell, i.e., who among us will dwell in Zion with the Rock, Who is a consuming fire? And he replies, “He who walks righteously, etc.”

 

15 He who walks righteously Who will be found? One who walks righteously.

 

who shakes his hands (eskot in O.F.).

 

closes his ear (אֽטֵם) Comp. (I Kings 6:4) “transparent but closed (אֲטֻמִים) .”

 

and closes (וְעֽצֵם) Comp. (supra 29:10) “And He has closed (וַיְעַצֵּם) your eyes.”

 

16 his bread shall be given He will not seek bread, for it will be supplied to him from heaven.

 

his water sure The source of his water will not fail. I.e., his seed will become great, and all his wants will be supplied.

 

17 The King in His beauty shall your eyes behold (The Holy One, blessed be He, Who is a King, Him you shall see from a distant land where you are standing. You shall see the miracles and the greatness that I will perform for you, and a people of a strange tongue, of obscure speech, shall not see the Shechinah of the King in His beauty. [This does not appear in many editions.]) The King in His beauty shall your eyes behold. To you, O righteous man, I say that you shall merit to see the splendor of the Shechinah of the Omnipresent.

 

they shall see [from] a distant land Jonathan renders: You shall look and see those who go down to the land of Gehinnom.

 

18 Your heart shall meditate [in] fear When you see the princes and the savants of the heathens, who ruled during their lifetime, and who are now being judged in Gehinnom, your heart will meditate in terror, and you will say, “Where is the wisdom and the greatness of these men? Where is the one who, during his lifetime, would count and weigh every word of wisdom, for they would ask him every counsel of the kingdom?

 

Where is he who counts the towers This too is a matter of the kingdom. He is appointed over the houses of the kingdom, how many they are, and how many towers a certain city requires. Comp. (Ps. 48:13) “Encircle Zion and surround it, count its towers,” how many towers it requires.

 

19 A people of a strange tongue (נוֹעָז) like לוֹעֵז . These are all the heathens, whose language is not the holy tongue. ([Other editions read:] These are Assyria and Babylon, whose language is not the holy tongue.) ([Manuscripts read:] These are all the nations whose language is not the holy tongue.)

 

you shall not see You shall not esteem in your heart, for they shall all be dark and humble.

 

speech...obscure ( שָׂפָה , lit. lip.) Comp. (Gen. 11:1) “And all the land was one speech (שָׂפָה) .”

 

of stammering tongue (נִלְעָג לָשׁוֹן) . Comp. (32:4) “The tongue of the stammerers עִלְּגִים) (לְשׁוֹן ,” (and of obscure speech. All this is a foreign language, for they do not understand the holy tongue.)

 

20 See Zion But whom will you see in your heart to be regarded as a kingdom and a ruling power? Zion, which is the city of our meeting place.

 

that shall not fall (יִצְעָן) shall not be lowered. Comp. (Jud. 4:11) “Elon-bezaanannim בְּצַעֲנַנִּים) (אֵלוֹן ,” which is rendered as: the plain of pits (מִישׁוֹר אַגְנַיָּא) , which are pits in the fields, called kombes in O.F. Comp. (Baba Kamma 61b) “The pits of the earth (אַגְנֵי דְאַרְעָא) they are considered,” where water gathers from the mountains and the hills. I believe that the ‘beth’ of the word בְּצַעֲנַנִּים is not radical, but is a prefix.

 

whose pegs shall never be moved (יִסַּע) The pegs with which they tie the ropes of the tent he shall not move them from the earth, from the place into which they are thrust. Comp. (I Kings 5:31) “And they quarried (וַיַּסִּעוּ) great stones.” Also (Jud. 16: 3), “And he plucked them (וַיִּסּעֵם) together with the bolt,” an expression of uprooting.

 

21 But there ‘But’ refers back to ‘whose pegs shall never be moved,’ and ‘shall not be torn.’ The evil shall not be, only the good. There the Lord shall be mighty for us, and the city shall be a place of rivers and streams, in the manner it is said in Ezekiel (47: 4f.): “And He measured a thousand (cubits), and He led me...a stream that I could not cross.” And so did Joel prophesy (4:18) “And a spring shall emanate from the house of the Lord,” that it shall become progressively stronger.

 

a galley with oars a ship that floats on the water.

 

and a great ship (וְצִי אַדִּיר) and a great ship [from Jonathan].

 

22 For the Lord is our judge Our prince and judge.

 

23 Your ropes that draw the ship, you sinful city. ([Mss. yield:] you, sinful Rome.)

 

properly prepared well.

 

a sail Heb. נס , the sail of a ship.

 

they did not spread out a sail They will not be able to spread the sail that guides the boat.

 

then plunder [and] booty were divided (עד) related to עֲדָאָה , plunder, in Aramaic.

 

by many Many will divide the plunder of the heathens. ([Mss. yield:] the plunder of Edom.) ([Others:] the nations.) ([Still others:] Sennacherib.)

 

lame Israel, who were weak until now.

 

24 And the neighbor shall not say (I.e., the neighbor of) Israel.

 

“I am sick” Because of this nation, this misfortune has befallen me, for

 

The people Israel, who is called a people, that dwells in Jerusalem, shall be forgiven of sin.

 

 

Hakham’s Reflection on the Ashlamatah

 

 

The Torah’s catch phrase for this week is the word “VaYeshev” (And dwelt) – Gen. 37:1. The same verb is mentioned at the beginning of our Ashlamatah in Is. 32:18 – “וְיָשַׁב עַמִּי” (“VaYashav Ami” – And my people will dwell”). However, both the prophet Yeshayahu, the Psalmist, and the Nazarean Codicil find another connection to our Torah Seder. In Gen. 37:2 (at the beginning of our Seder and close to the end of the verse) we find the phrase: “אֶת-דִּבָּתָם רָעָה” (Et-Dibatam Ra’a - evil report of them). The Psalmist in 31:13 speaks about “דִּבַּת רַבִּים” (Dibat Rabim) which the JPS Tanakh renders as: “the (evil) whispering of many.” Our Ashlamatah in Is. 33:15 has “וְעֹצֵם עֵינָיו מֵרְאוֹת בְּרָע” (V’O’otsem Einai M’Reot B’Ra – “”and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil”). Consequently Hakham Yehuda in the Nazarean Codicil for this week speaks of “Οὗτοί εἰσιν γογγυσταί,” (“These are (evil) whisperers[70]”) – Judah 16. Therefore, the theme binding all readings for this week is the topic of “Lashon HaRa” – “Gossip/evil speech/slander”.

 

This, ties with the concept that we can’t dwell in Shalom if there is “Lashon HaRa” going around our dwellings. For, a peaceful and harmonious society and human coexistence requires the non-existence of “Slander”!

 

PIRQE ABOT

(Chapters of the Fathers)

Pereq Hei

Mishnah 5:6

By: Hakham Yitschaq ben Moshe Magriso

 

Ten things were created on the Eve of [the First] Sabbath at twilight. They are: [1] The mouth of the earth. [2] The mouth of the well. [3] The mouth of the she-donkey. [4] The rainbow. [5] The manna. [6] The staff. [7] The Shamir. [8] The writing. [9] The inscription. [10] The tablets. Some say also the Vandals, Moses' grave, and the ram of Abraham. Some say also the tongs made with tongs.

 

The master now tells us that ten things were created just before Sabbath at the twilight of creation." They are:

 

1.      The mouth of the earth that swallowed up Korach's followers (Numbers 16 :32).

Some say that the mouth of the earth was created not only to swallow Korach's followers, but also to speak, to announce that "they descended alive to hell" (Numbers 16 :30). The Torah therefore uses the expression, "The earth opened (u'patzethah) its mouth [to speak]" (Numbers 16:30). It does not say, "The earth opened (va-tiftach) its mouth [to swallow]" (Numbers 16 :32). This teaches us that Moses prayed that the earth speak out and announce that Korach’s followers had descended alive into hell.

 

2.      The mouth of the Well of Miriam which accompanied the Israelites into the desert.

Some say that the mouth of the well was created to sing out to God. The song of the well was, "Come up O well, answer it" (Numbers 21:17).

 

3.      The mouth of Balaam's she-donkey that was destined to speak to him in due time (Numbers 22:28).

 

4.      The rainbow that occasionally appears in the skies (Genesis 9:13).

 

5.      The manna that the Israelites ate in the desert (Exodus 16:31, 35).

 

6.      The staff of Moses (Exodus 4:17).

 

7.      The Shamir was a small worm, the size of a grain of barley.

When it was impossible to break something, the Shamir was placed on it and it split easily. Since God had ordained that no hammer be heard during the building of the Temple (1 Kings 6:7), King Solomon made use of the Shamir to cut the stones for the Holy Temple.

 

8.      The letters that were engraved on the Tablets (Exodus 31:18).

 

9.      The inscription on the tablets, which could be read from all sides (Exodus 32:15,16).

This was a great miracle.

 

10.   The Tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

These consisted of two pieces of sapphire'" carved out from the sphere (galgal) of the sun. The length and width of each one was six handbreadths" while each one's thickness was three handbreadths."

 

Some also say that the [Vandals (mazikim) or] demons (shedim) were created at this time. They also include the grave of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:6), and the ram of Abraham (Genesis 22:13).

 

The demons were created especially to punish sinners. Because they were created late on Friday afternoon, [there was no time to create bodies for them] and they therefore remain bodiless spirits. They are constantly hiding from people, and their sole desire is to do damage.

 

It is obviously not fair to say that because the demons were created late Friday afternoon, they were not completed. But because it was just before sundown, it was already necessary to think about the Sabbath. Although a man may have a golden apple in his hand, he must drop it to greet the Sabbath as early as possible.

 

One should learn from the Lord of the Universe. God was about to create bodies for the demons, but because it was very close to the Sabbath, He created them without bodies.

 

When we say that these things were created on the eve of the first Sabbath of creation, it does not mean that they were all crated at that time. Rather their concept was created so that they would be ready when the time came. For example, it is impossible to say that the ram which was sacrificed in place of Isaac (Genesis 22:13) lived so many years since the creation of the world!

 

There are some who also include the cave where Moses and Elijah stood (Exodus 33:22, 1 Kings 19:9), as well as Aaron's staff (Numbers 17:23). The garments of Adam were also created on Friday at twilight.

 

There are some who say that the original tongs were also created on Friday afternoon of the six days of creation (shesheth yemey Beresheeth). To make a pair of tongs, one must first have another set of tongs to take them out of the fire. The first tongs therefore had to be made during the six days of creation. Some authorities maintain that it is not necessary to say that the first tongs were made during the six days of creation. The first tongs could have just as easily been made with a mold or a die, just as many other things are.

 

Verbal Tallies

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

& HH Giberet Dr. Elisheba bat Sarah

 

Beresheet (Genesis) 37:1-36

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 32:18 – 33:6, 15

                                                                                      Tehillim (Psalm) 31            

Jude 14-16, Lk 7:18-23, Acts 10:17-33

 

The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Psalm are:

Years - שנה, Strong’s number 08141.

Son - בן, Strong’s number 01121.

Report / Slander - דבה, Strong’s number 01681.

 

The verbal tallies between the Torah and the Aslamata are:

Dwelt / Dwell - ישב, Strong’s number 03427.

Evil - רע, Strong’s number 07451.

 

Beresheet (Genesis) 37:1 And Jacob dwelt <03427> (8799) in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

2  These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years <08141> old <01121>, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons <01121> of Bilhah, and with the sons <01121> of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil <07451> report <01681>.

 

Tehillim (Psalm) 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years <08141> with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Tehillim (Psalm):13 For I have heard the slander <01681> of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Tehillim (Psalm) 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons <01121> of men!

 

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 32:18 And my people shall dwell <03427> (8804) in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth he gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil <07451>;

 

Hebrew:

 

 

Greek:

 

GREEK	ENGLISH	Torah Reading Gen. 37:1-36	Psalms 31:1-25	Ashlamatah Is 32:18 – 33:6, 15	Peshat Mishnah of Mark, 1-2 Peter, & Jude Jude 14-16	Tosefta of Luke Lk 7:18-23	Remes/Gemara of Acts/Romans and James Acts 10:17-33
ἅγιον	holy			Isa 33:5	Jud 1:14		Act 10:22
ἀδελφός	brother	Gen 37:2 Gen 37:4 Gen 37:5 Gen 37:8 Gen 37:9 Gen 37:10 Gen 37:11 Gen 37:12 Gen 37:13 Gen 37:14 Gen 37:16 Gen 37:17 Gen 37:19 Gen 37:23 Gen 37:26 Gen 37:27 Gen 37:30					Acts 10:23
ἀκούω	heard, hear	Gen. 37:6 Gen. 37:17 Gen. 37:21 Gen. 37:27	Ps. 31:13 Ps. 31:22	Isa. 33:15		Lk. 7:22	Acts 10:22 Acts 10:33
ἀναβλέπω	look up	Gen 37:25				Lk. 7:22
ἀνήρ	men					Lk. 7:20	Acts 10:17 Acts 10:19 Acts 10:21 Acts 10:22 Acts 10:28 Acts 10:30
ἄνθρωπος	man, men	Gen. 37:15 Gen. 37:17 Gen. 37:19 Gen. 37:28	Ps. 31:20				Acts 10:26 Acts 10:28
ἀνίστημι	rose up	Gen 37:7					Acts 10:20 Acts 10:23 Acts 10:26
ἀπαγγέλλω	reported	Gen 37:5 Gen 37:16				Lk. 7:18 Lk. 7:22
ἀποστέλλω	sent forth	Gen 37:13 Gen 37:14 Gen 37:32				Lk. 7:20	Acts 10:17 Acts 10:20
ἀσεβής	impious, ungodly		Ps 31:17		Jude 1:15
δίκαιος	righteous, just		Ps 31:18				Acts 10:22
δικαιοσύνη	righteousness		Ps. 31:1	Isa. 33:5 Isa. 33:15
ἐγείρω	raising, raised					Lk. 7:22	Acts 10:26
ἔθνος	nations			Isa 33:3			Acts 10:22
εἴδω	see, saw, beheld	Gen. 37:4 Gen. 37:14 Gen. 37:18 Gen. 37:20 Gen. 37:25		Isa. 33:15		Luk 7:22	Act 10:17
εἰσακούω	heard		Ps 31:22				Acts 10:31
εἰσέρχομαι	enter						Acts 10:24 Acts 10:25 Acts 10:27
ἐπικαλέομαι	call upon		Ps 31:17				Acts 10:18 Acts 10:32
ἔπω	speak, said, say	Gen. 37:6 Gen. 37:8 Gen. 37:9 Gen. 37:10 Gen. 37:13 Gen. 37:14 Gen. 37:16 Gen. 37:17 Gen. 37:19 Gen. 37:20 Gen. 37:21 Gen. 37:22 Gen. 37:26 Gen. 37:30 Gen. 37:32 Gen. 37:33 Gen. 37:35	Ps. 31:14 Ps. 31:22			Luk 7:20 Luk 7:22	Act 10:19 Act 10:21 Act 10:22
ἔρχομαι	come	Gen 37:10 Gen 37:14 Gen 37:19 Gen 37:23 Gen 37:25 Gen 37:35			Jude 1:14	Lk. 7:19 Lk. 7:20	Acts 10:29
εὑρίσκω	find, found	Gen 37:15 Gen 37:17 Gen 37:32					Acts 10:27
ζητέω	seek	Gen 37:15 Gen 37:16					Acts 10:19 Acts 10:21
ἡμέρα	day	Gen 37:34					Acts 10:30
θεός	God		Ps. 31:1 Ps. 31:5 Ps. 31:6 Ps. 31:9 Ps. 31:14 Ps. 31:17 Ps. 31:21 Ps. 31:23 Ps. 31:24	Isa. 33:2 Isa. 33:5 Isa. 33:6			Acts 10:22 Acts 10:28 Acts 10:31 Acts 10:33
ἰδού	behold, see	Gen 37:9 Gen 37:13 Gen 37:19 Gen 37:25			Jude 1:14		Acts 10:17 Acts 10:19 Acts 10:21 Acts 10:30
ἵστημι	establish, set		Ps  31:8				Acts 10:30
κατά	against	Gen 37:2	Ps 31:18		Jude 1:15 Jude 1:16
καταβαίνω	go down, come down	Gen 37:35		Isa 32:19			Acts 10:20 Acts 10:21
κρίσις	judgment, equity			Isa 33:5 Isa 33:15	Jude 1:15
κύριος	LORD		Ps. 31:1 Ps. 31:5 Ps. 31:6 Ps. 31:9 Ps. 31:14 Ps. 31:17 Ps. 31:21 Ps. 31:23 Ps. 31:24	Isa. 33:2 Isa. 33:5 Isa. 33:6	Jude 1:14	Lk. 7:19	Acts 10:33
λαλέω	speak	Gen. 37:4	Ps. 31:18	Isa. 33:15	Jude 1:15 Jude 1:16
λέγω	says	Gen 37:15 Gen 37:17 Gen 37:35			Jude 1:14	Lk. 7:19 Lk. 7:20 Lk. 7:22	Acts 10:19 Acts 10:21 Acts 10:22 Acts 10:26 Acts 10:28
μακάριος	blessed			Isa 32:20		Lk. 7:23
νεκρός	dead		Ps  31:12			Lk. 7:22
οἶκος	house		Ps  31:2				Acts 10:22 Acts 10:30
οὐδείς	nothing, no one	Gen 37:4		Isa 33:1
παραγίνομαι	to come					Lk. 7:20	Acts 10:33
πᾶς	all,entire, whole	Gen. 37:3 Gen. 37:4 Gen. 37:35	Ps. 31:11 Ps. 31:23 Ps. 31:24	Isa. 32:20	Jude 1:15	Lk. 7:18	Acts 10:33
πέμπω	send					Lk. 7:19	Acts 10:32 Acts 10:33
πνεῦμα	spirit		Ps  31:5			Lk. 7:21	Acts 10:19
ποιέω	make, do, did, done	Gen. 37:3	Ps. 31:23	Isa 33:1	Jude 1:15		Act 10:33
πόλις	city		Ps. 31:21	Isa. 32:19
πονηρός	evil, wicked	Gen 37:2 Gen 37:20 Gen 37:33				Lk. 7:21
πορεύομαι	going, went	Gen 37:12 Gen 37:14 Gen 37:17 Gen 37:25 Gen 37:30		Isa 33:15	Jude 1:16	Lk. 7:22	Acts 10:20
πούς	foot, feet		Ps  31:8				Acts 10:25
προσδοκάω	expected					Lk. 7:19 Lk. 7:20	Act 10:24
προσκυνέω	obeisance, worshiped	Gen 37:7 Gen 37:9 Gen 37:10					Acts 10:25
πρόσωπον	face		Ps  31:16 Ps  31:20 Ps  31:22		Jude 1:16
ῥῆμα	sayings, words	Gen 37:8 Gen 37:11					Acts 10:22
φοβέω	fearing		Ps  31:19				Act 10:22
ὥρα	hour					Lk. 7:21	Acts 10:30

 

 

 

NAZAREAN TALMUD

Sidra Of B’resheet (Gen.) 37:1-36

“VaY’shev Ya’aqob” “And Ya’aqob dwelled”

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

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai

 

 

Hakham Shaul’ School of Tosefta  (Luke Lk 7:18-23) Mishnah א:א	Hakham Tsefet’s School of Peshat  (Yehudah 14-16) Mishnah א:א
And the talmidim (disciples) of Yochanan reported to him about all the things Yeshua was doing. And summoning two of his talmidim, Yochanan sent them to the master, saying, “Are you he who is the Coming One, or do we look for someone else?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “Yochanan HaMitvil has sent us to you, saying, Are you he who is the Coming One,[71] or do we look for someone else?” At that very hour, he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and expelled evil shedim (demons); and he gave sight to many who were blind. And he answered and said to them, “Go and report to Yochanan what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor (Am HaAretz – "the people of Land" i.e. the uneducated Jews) have the Mesorah[72] proclaimed to them. And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over me.”	Now it was of these pseudo-prophets/teachers, that Enoch[73] in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied about when he said, “Behold, the Lord comes with myriads of His holy ones (ten thousands of His Tsadiqim – saints) to execute judgment upon all and to convict every impious soul of all their ungodly deeds, which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the abusive, things which these ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are inveterate murmurers[74] (complainers) who criticize their lot in life, following only their personal desires[75] controlled by their passions; their talk is boastful and arrogant, and they claim to admire men's persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage.
Hakham Shaul’ School of Remes  (2 Luqas - Acts 10:17-33) Pereq א:א
And while Hakham Tsefet reflecting within himself on the meaning of the vision which he had seen, and behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had asked for Shim’on's house and stood at the gate.[76] And they called and asked if Shim’on whose name is Tsefet was staying there. And while Hakham Tsefet was still going over the vision in his mind, the Ruach[77] (spirit of prophecy)[78] said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Therefore, arise and go down and go with them without discrimination[79] towards Gentiles, for I (God) have sent them.” And going down to the men, those sent to him from Cornelius, Hakham Tsefet said, Behold, I am the one you are looking for. For what reason have you come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a man of piety and a God fearer, and one of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was commanded[80] from God by a holy messenger to send for you to come to his house and to hear the Oral Torah[81] from you.   Then he (Hakham Tsefet) invited[82] them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day Hakham Tsefet went away with them, and certain brothers[83] from Yafo went with him. And the next day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Hakham Tsefet was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and paid obeisance.[84] But Hakham Tsefet took him up, saying, Stand up! I also am a man myself. And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had assembled together for prayer.[85] And he said to them, You know that it is a forbidden[86] thing for a Royal man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But G-d has shown me not to call any man common or unclean (but his kitchen is unclean). Therefore, I came without complaint, being sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me.   And Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour. And at the ninth hour (three o’clock, the time for the afternoon prayer) I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in luminous clothing. And he said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your acts of tsedaqah have been remembered by God. Therefore, send to Yafo and call there Shim’on whose name is Tsefet; he is staying near the house of Shim’on, a tanner by the seaside; who, when he comes, will speak to you. Therefore, I immediately[87] sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all here present before God to hear[88] (Shema) all things that are commanded to you concerning us Gentiles by God.”

 

 

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

 

 

 

Commentary to Hakham Tsefet’s School of Peshat

 

Hakham Yehudah continues his discourse and judgment concerning the pseudo-prophets/teachers who have “crept” in stealthily. In the previous pericope, Hakham Yehudah cited three Biblical characters, which personified judgment and evil. In the present pericope, Hakham Yehudah appears to cite a phrase that originated in the ancient work of 1 Enoch. Scholars debate exactly which version Hakham Yehudah may have used if he used that work at all. Regardless of the debate Hakham Yehudah does make mention of the Biblical character Enoch. And, while a great deal can be said about this Biblical persona, we are limit ourselves to Peshat and will not discuss more abstract issues here.

 

Hakham Yehudah argues proof that there will be a final judgment. This is something that the pseudo-prophets/teachers have been trying to negate and avoid. Hakham Yehudah shows that G-d will return to judge the earth with great power and a prodigious company of angels.

 

There are three points we wish to draw from Hakham Yehudah’s present pericope concerning Lashon HaRa. We realize that this does not exhaust the thoughts presented here. However, for the sake of space and time we have limited our comments.

 

Lashon HaTob or Lashon HaRa

 

The power of speech is often unrealized. It contains both positive and negative aspects, which should be carefully guarded. Through the Lashon Kodesh (Holy Tongue) G-d created the cosmos. Like the mitzvot, speech either builds the world or destroys it. The mysteries of G-d are hidden inside the mind of man. He can speak positively building a constructive world or he can speak negatively denigrating the cosmos. The tongue is also hidden until man begins to speak. His speech always betrays his true feelings.

 

The greatest affront to G-d is for a man to speak Lashon HaRa. This is because the composite nature of man and the cosmos is the Oral Torah. Man is constructed and animated by the words of the Oral Torah. Speaking Lashon HaRa is contrary to his true nature. Therefore, speaking Lashon HaRa is not only an affront to G-d it is the denigration of his own soul.

 

Murmurs

 

Hakham Yehudah’s text refers to the pseudo-prophets/teachers as murmurs. This murmuring is the most subtle form of Lashon HaRa used by these deceitful subversives. They do not have the courage to confront authority face to face. They must use subversive tactics as a means of subversive undermining authority. They whisper their oppositions and complaints. The Greek γογγυστής – goggustes is used of the cooing of doves.^[89] It refers, not to a loud, outspoken dissatisfaction, but to an undertone muttering of detention. These people never address issues with authority directly. Their subversion is carried out somewhere outside the hearing of authority. This guile sounds like the words of the Nacash Kadmon (primeval serpent nachash) who questions the words of G-d in saying, “has G-d said” to Havah outside the earshot of Adam.

 

On the day of Yom HaKippurim the Kohen Gadol enters the Kodesh HaKodeshim (Holy of Holies) to make atonement for the sins of the B’ne Yisrael. He enters this “secret place,” where he can atone for the sins of Lashon HaRa which are spoken in secret.^[90]

 

b. Arachin 15b  Further said R. Hisda in the name of Mar Ukba: About one who slanders, the Holy One, blessed be He, says to the prince of Gehinnom: I shall be against him from above, you be against him from below, and we shall condemn him, as it is said: Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of broom. Arrow means nothing else but the evil tongue, as it is said: Their tongue is a sharpened arrow, it speaks deceit; and mighty means only the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said: The Lord will go forth as a mighty man; and cools of broom is Gehinnom.

 

complainers

 

It is these who criticize their lot in life, following only their personal desires controlled by their passions. This activity shows their disdain for authority, which is ultimately the authority of G-d Himself.

 

Hakham Yehudah notes that these complainers are unhappy with their “lot” in life. They are not happy with the “stars” that G-d has given them. They always want what someone else has and begrudge their present state of affairs. Our ancestors suffered in the wilderness because of the evil tongue. Their crime was more a crime of speaking evil as opposed to evil actions.^[91]

 

Rather than seek the will of G-d for their lives they pursue their own pleasures. These souls are perfectly aware of their occupation in the scheme of G-d’s overall plan. However, because they have been dealt a plan, which is not conducive to their idea of how things should be done, they defect and try to take others with them.

 

Their ungodly deeds and abusive words will not go unpunished.

 

Flattery

 

Flattery is not usually considered Lashon HaRa by some people. However, flattery is one of the most destructive forms of Lashon HaRa. How so? This is because it gives a negative or false report concerning an individual true status. Flattery’s destructive power causes people to follow deadly advice into denigrating circumstances. True growth can only occur when the (mazal – angel) strikes the blade of grass.^[92] This is true of humans as well as grass. We do not move forward in a positive way unless we are shown our deficiency. When we see what we are and what we are to become we can work on our lack. However, when we are told the lie of flattery we are stunted, diminished and misguided. Therefore, flattery is a heinous crime against its hearer.

 

Do not confuse “flattery” with genuine praise. Praise is the verbal reward for hard work and accomplishment. However, when praise is given as flattery it is especially destructive.

 

Peroration

 

Lashon HaRa is not only speaking evil against someone. Lashon HaRa can be withholding truth, which needs to be addressed. This does not mean that we should not use discretion. Nor does it mean that we cannot give praise where praise is due. What it means is that we must carefully articulate those things, which will encourage growth and forward momentum.

 

 

 

Commentary to Of Hakham Shaul’s Tosefta

 

Doctor or Messiah?

 

The present Tosefta of Luqas posits an important question that we feel needs to be addressed. “Are you he who is the Coming One, or do we look for someone else?”

 

This question has kept scholars in a quandary for centuries. This is because they do not have the correct understanding of the writings of Yeshua’s talmidim. The question posited by Yochanan the immerser is interesting and important. We need to have a clear understanding of the question so that we can have the correct answer.

 

Yochanan initially portrayed Yeshua in the following terms when Yeshua came for immersion.

 

Luqas 3:16 “I immerse you in (living) water but the one greater than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will immerse you with the Ruach HaKodesh (holy breath of the Mesorah) and fire.

 

There are those scholars who believe that Yochanan was wavering in his G-dly trust. While we realize that Yochanan was human, we also believe that he had perfect confidence in the prophecy cited above. Furthermore, Yeshua declared Yochanan to be the Messianic Harbinger, Eliyahu (Elijah). 

 

The difficulty for any prophet is that he can see his prophecy in such a way that he sees “from one end of the world to the other” as the Hakhamim say. In other words, he sees every facet of his prophecy. It is inescapable. Yochanan could see Yeshua as Messiah ben David and Messiah ben Yosef at the same time. Therefore, the real question is which Messiah are you? Or, we might rephrase the question by asking are you a doctor or Messiah?

 

Yeshua’s response is important. It would appear at first that the answer is that he was a physician, answering, the lame walk, the blind see etc. And, from a cursory reading of the text we have difficulties to solve.

 

We must understand how Yeshua – Messiah was healing, in order to be able to see the answer given to Yochanan. Yeshua did not look at his audience and see a blinded eye or a lame cripple. He looked at the spiritual character of the person he was ministering in order to see their spiritual deficiency. By looking at the deeper aspects of a person’s being, he could correct their spiritual problem. Once the spiritual problem was solved, the physical problem fixed itself.

 

The answer “Go and report to Yochanan what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor (Am HaAretz – "the people of Land" i.e. the uneducated Jews) have received the Mesorah proclaimed to them” is summed in the key word “Mesorah.” The problems that Yeshua was dealing with were a lack of understanding of the Mesorah. When this is corrected, healing comes naturally.

 

Furthermore, the Mesorah MUST be the principle tool to qualify Yeshua as Messiah. This is because Messiah MUST be a “prophet like Moshe.” Had Yeshua not upheld the Torah Written and Oral he would not have qualified as Messiah.

 

 

Ben David or “Like Moshe, which comes first?

 

Scholars struggle with the problem of the Davidic prototype of Messiah. Many have disqualified Yeshua because he did not appear as a Davidic Messiah. Logic demands that Messiah must first be “like Moshe” before he can appear as a Davidic Messiah. How so? The Messiah like Moshe must come first to establish and undergird the rules for a Theocratic Society. In other words, he must establish a connection with the Mesorah – Torah, which is the power of a Theocratic social rule. He must then appear as a Davidic Messiah to challenge and punish all those who have refused the Mesorah. This is the Messiah portrayed by Hakham Yehudah in our Peshat pericope.

 

 

 

Commentary to Hakham Shaul’s School of Remes

 

 

Return to Eden

 

The idea we have posited concerning the return to Eden over the past months is not some fanciful idea. Jewish Scholars have shown that the path to Eden is through the Mitzvot (commandments), more specifically the Oral Torah. Kabbalistic teachings concerning “Tikun Olam” are not mere mystical musings. Furthermore, we noted above that the “Malchut Shamayim” (Governance of G-d) is actualized by accepting the authority of the Bate Din and Hakhamim. This machinery is the engine of G-d’s Kingdom, which depends on the principle of agency. Therefore, each Rabbi and or Hakham is an agent of G-d and a critical part of that engine. We have noted the salvific role of the Hakhamim above. As agents of the Messiah, we have the responsibility of redeeming our world. The Tanakh is replete with this Messianic idealism. Before any of these thoughts can be realized, we must learn to accept their truth. For example, making Talmidim “Stand” is not strictly the responsibility of the Hakham. This is equally the responsibility of the congregation as a whole.

 

Allegorically, Yosef is the redemptive vehicle for the Jewish people in the present Torah Seder. Yehudah is the agent of Messiah, i.e. Yosef, bringing redemption for his father and the rest of his family. In our present pericope, Hakham Tsefet is the Divinely appointed agent bringing redemption to the Gentiles. The two stories show the Jewish paradox. So, what is the grand message of this paradox? Salvation is by and from the Jewish people.^[93] Therefore, the final redemption when revealed will be by the hands of the Jewish people. To be more specific, the Divinely appointed agents bringing salvation in the present era are the Hakhamim. Without their presence, the world is lost and the redemptive plan nullified.

 

Ani Yosef – Who is Yosef

 

We only use the title “Ani Yosef” as a means for launching allegorical dialogue. Throughout the Tanakh, Messiah has taken many faces. While certain schools of thought cannot see “outside the box”, the Jewish reader can read between the lines. In the present pericope of 2 Luqas (Acts) we can see an allegorical picture of Messiah and Yosef being pictured in Hakham Tsefet. However, we can also broaden the picture to see the Jewish people as well. We extend the salvific role to the Jewish people as Messiah because we have a Divine investiture as Kings and Priests.^[94] The King, Priest and Prophets were “anointed ones.” Therefore, they were prototypes for Messiah, the “Anointed One.” Consequently, we see the Jewish people as led by the Hakhamim as the salvific engine of global tikun. The present pericope shows Hakham Tsefet in remembrance of the Bat Kol and guided by the Ruach HaKodesh – the Spirit of Prophecy.^[95]

 

We see in this pericope something very special. The voice of a special messenger spoke to Cornelius and his family as they prayed according to the Jewish Siddur per se. They prayed following their Jewish mentors’ set times for prayer. However, there are two plays on words in this pericope, which are very revealing. The first being the allegorical statement, they “stood at the gate.” This allegorical phrase shows that during the early part of the first century the general Jewish attitude adopted the Shammaite stance of accepting the Gentile as only a Ger HaSha’ar – “Proselyte of the Gate.” Hakham Tsefet is told by G-d through the “Spirit of Prophecy” not to discriminate against the Gentiles, but their kitchens. Therefore, Hakham Tsefet knew the interpretation of the vision once he heard the voice of the “Ruach HaKodesh” (Spirit of Prophecy). And here, just as our Torah Seder pictures the B’ne Yisrael going into Eretz Yisrael to retrieve their father Ya’aqob, we see the Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of Prophecy) driving Hakham Tsefet into diaspora among the Gentiles.

 

2 Luqas pictures Hakham Tsefet inviting his Gentle guests in and giving them lodging. Much like the Gentiles being brought under the wings of Hakham Tsefet’s Tallit, we see them being brought into “the house”^[96] as a sign of their acceptance of Jewish authority.^[97] Their entering the Jewish home is also indicative of their submission to Jewish authority. When Hakham Tsefet enters the house of Cornelius, we surmise that the house was made ready for their Jewish guest. Again, we find here an allegory of the Gentile accepting the 613 mitzvot. Cornelius bowing to Hakham Tsefet should also be seen as submission to Jewish authority. The retort of Hakham Tsefet “Stand up,” teaches us that Hakham Tsefet made the convert Cornelius to “Stand” as a Hakham is to do for his talmidim.^[98]

 

What Messianic aspect can the Jewish people carry to the ends of the earth? The Jewish people carry the Mesorah because in it we find the mastery of the Yetser HaRa. Or, as Hakham Shaul has stated “freedom from the principle of sin and die.” Here we refer to Romans 8:2 where Hakham Shaul speaks of being “freed from the principle of sin and death.” We use the phrase “sin and die,” because this was the principle which Adam HaRishon lived by in Gan Eden. Therefore, we can be freed from the principle of “sin and die” through understanding the Mesorah of the Master. The principle of “sin and death” is not the “Law of sin and death” with reference to the Torah as “Law.” The principle of freedom from “sin and death” is found in the Torah/Mesorah. Therefore, we see that we can return to Eden when we accept the Mesorah and Torah of the Master.

 

 

You know that it is a forbidden thing for a Royal man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation

 

Yeshua’s predilection for “talmudizing” the Gentiles^[99] was not the norm of the day. This is evident from our pericope in 2 Lukas (Acts) 10:28. Hakham Tsefet tells Cornelius that it is “forbidden^[100]” for a Jew (a Royal man) to have fellowship with a Gentile. While the Torah does tell us how to interact with the Gentiles, it does not forbid that interaction as we see from D’varim 7:3ff.^[101] Therefore, we must conclude that the Shammaites enacted a dogma in their School, forbidding interaction with Gentiles. From the materials above, we conclude that, Hillel would not accept or enact these types of laws. Nor were these enactments realized through the Sanhedrin or any legal agency other than the School of Shammai.

 

Shammai was vehemently opposed to “Gentile Redemption.” Furthermore, the day he took office as Av Bet Din he enacted eighteen rules for his School. In the discussion on clean and unclean liquids and hands, Shammai declares the Gentile and their lands unclean. From this ruling we see that when the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael they shook the dust of the foreign nation off their feet.^[102] The Mishnah, Tosefta and Gemara are cryptic in that we do not understand the full discussion that took place between Shammai and Hillel. However, the House of Shammai was vehemently opposed to the possible interaction of Jew and gentile. The eighteen rules fostered greater separation between Jew and Gentile.^[103]

 

The Talmud describes this day as a day of infamy for the Jews.

 

b. Shab. 17a And on that day Hillel sat submissive before Shammai, like one of the disciples, and it was as grievous to Israel as the day when the [golden] calf was made.

 

Why was this day a day of such infamy? Hillel taught that one should Love ALL people and bring them close to the Torah.^[104] When the Jewish people cease to be Kings and Priests they have ceased to function in their true occupation. Shammai’s eighteen edicts created a rift between the Jew and the Gentile, which brought about great animosity between the two peoples. The Jewish people were destined to be Kings and Priests to and among the nations. On this day, Shammai is said to have driven a sword in the Bet Midrash and retarded this process.

 

While the measure of interaction with Gentiles is of vital importance, G-d’s plan for the world is tikun. Adam was to cultivate the Garden of Eden (lit. pleasure). By his sin he brought separation and division into the world. G-d’s plan of tikun, conceived in the Jewish people, is to bring about the restoration of the earth to that Pleasurable^[105] state that Adam experienced in the Garden. And, to bring humanity, as a whole back into communion with G-d. This can only happen when the Jewish Hakhamim act as Priests to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles submit to their halakhic authority.

 

Hakham Tsefet speaking to Cornelius says “you know” or you “have knowledge” of the enactments of Shammai concerning the interaction between Jew and Gentile. In other words, the enactments^[106] of Shammai were so well known that even the Gentiles knew of these things. It would not be hard to believe Jewish encounters with Gentiles had advertised these middot (measures-rules).

 

It is evident from Hakham Tsefet’s response to the servants of Cornelius that the halakhic view of Shammai dominated Jewish life during the early part of the first century. His Eminence Rabbi Harvey Falk further elaborates on the fact that during a discussion at Hananiah’s home, members from Bet Shammai murdered students from Bet Hillel.^[107] His Eminence Rabbi Harvey Falk further suggests that other groups were equally volatile during this period. He cites the possibility that the group who murdered the students of Hillel were the Zealot group of Sicarii.^[108] What we must note from these quotes is that the “enactments” or “middot” did not occur in a Sanhedrin setting. While there was a period when the Sanhedrin was exiled from the Chamber of the Hewn Stone, where they officially sat, the date was near the death of the master not 20 B.C.E. Therefore, the setting is not in the Sanhedrin’s usual Chamber of Hewn Stone but in Hananiah’s home. Therefore, these so-called “middot” would not have been considered halakhah in the true sense of the word. They may have been standards followed by the School of Shammai but they were not halakhah! Therefore, they would not have needed to be rescinded by any Court of the Sanhedrin. It seems from the present narrative that these standards had far-reaching effects on the Jewish population of the first century. However, from the materials cited above it would appear that the Shammaite School was not estranged from using brute force when logic was not able to supersede the teachings of Hillel and the Master.

 

Hillel the Elder saw the “House of G-d” as a place where all people of the world should visit.^[109] Therefore, we would opine that Hillel saw the “House of G-d” as a place for all the peoples of the earth to visit rather than being a strictly “Jewish” edifice. In the pericope containing Yeshua’s cleansing of the Temple we find that Yeshua followed the same ideals as his teacher Hillel.^[110] His Eminence Rabbi Harvey Faulk suggests that Hillel and Menaḥem the Essene^[111] were the innovators of a plan to “evangelize” the Gentiles.^[112] Actually, the topic is far more reaching than this superficial statement. Menaḥem was Hillel’s original counterpart, Av Bet Din to Hillel. The Mishnah records his leaving the office of Av Bet Din.

 

m. Hagigah 2:2 Hillel and Menaḥem did not differ. Menaḥem departed, Shammai entered.^[113]

 

From the cited-Mishnah, we are able to see that there was a unity between Hillel and Menaḥem. An interesting observation when reading about the Zugot^[114] is that the only two of the Zugot that are in diametric opposition are Hillel and Shammai. None of the other Zugot seem to have the proclivity towards opposition. While it is true that the Av Bet Din seems to hold the stricter view of the Torah, we are not told that any of the other Zugot was in diametric opposition. This brings us to a very interesting point.

 

Some materials and Scholars suggest that Shammai forced Menaḥem out of office. Herein lays the possibility of a great conspiracy. It appears that Hillel and Menaḥem may have collaborated on how to resolve two great problems of their day.

 

1. The First was the “Gentile Question”^[115]
2. The Second was the Priestly problem

 

The “Gentile question” was how to bring “salvation” to the Gentile, or how to bring the Gentile to G-d. The Second question was how to correct the problem of the defunct Priesthood. If Menaḥem did depart from Hillel, his office as Av Bet Din and go to the Essenes, we would have reason to believe that this is true. There were a great number of legitimate “Kohanim” among the Essenes. We do not believe that Menaḥem intended to try to bring a revolution, which brought about the restoration of the “Levitical Priesthood.” However, it seems plausible that Hillel and Menaḥem did have, or try to construct, a plan to restore the priesthood of the first-born and “talmudizing” (evangelizing) the Gentiles. Yeshua received his predilection for “talmudizing” from Hillel. He passed this predilection for bringing the Gentiles to G-d on to his talmidim. Because he is the product of Bet Hillel, we should realize that he received this predilection from his teacher.^[116] One might further opine that Yeshua was a part of that plan.^[117] Yeshua in turn passed this penchant on to his talmidim.

 

 

There Is No Messiah and You’re It

 

In the recent work “There Is No Messiah and You’re It,”^[118] His Eminence Rabbi Levine shows that history is filled with Messianic people. Therefore, we deduce that the “Spirit” of Messiah is always present. With the absence of one Messianic figure, another soon emerges. Understanding these statements, we now look to the allegory of Yosef as the “Saviour” or “Messiah” of the world during his time. The present pericope of 2 Luqas shows Hakham Tsefet as the “Messiah to the Gentiles” per se. In this pericope, Hakham Tsefet is an allegorical figure of the saviour of the world. Yet, better said, is the fact that the Jewish Hakhamim are now invested with the “Spirit” of Messiah. The recent films titled “Men in Black” revealed a very Kabbalistic idea by presenting “men in black”^[119] as the saviour/guardians of the world. We can see this idea presented allegorically in the present pericope in the Jewish Hakham Tsefet. While we most certainly believe in Messiah’s return, we do not accept any of the Christian versions. The Final Redemption will mimic the first redemption. And, now the whole mystery is solved. In the meantime, the allegorical Messiah of the world has appeared in the form of the Jewish Hakhamim.

 

 

Peroration

 

While it may be disconcerting for some readers to read these allegorical words, we must come to the realization that each of us has his or her place in the role and occupation of tikun. His Eminence Rabbi Levine is not actually purporting that there is not Messiah. His work is a call to arms per se. Each of us has a job to do, and it is time to be about the Mater’s business.

 

Amen V’Amen

 

 

Questions for Understanding and Reflection

 

1. From all the readings for this Shabbat which verse or verses impressed your heart and fired your imagination?
2. Taking into consideration all the readings for this Shabbat what is the prophetic statement for this ‎week?‎

 

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!”

 

Next Sabbath:

Shabbat: “VaY’hi BaEt Hahi” - “And it came to pass at that time”

 

 

 

   

 

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai

Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David

Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu ben Abraham