Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Emor/0/he
נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת אמר
How Does One Sanctify Hashem's Name?
The verse "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" is often cited as the source for the obligation of חובת קידוש השם.
- What actions constitute a "Kiddush Hashem"? While the ספרא ויקראasserts that the verse refers to the obligation of martyrdom, רמב"ם1 claims that it also speaks of general positive behavior.2 Which of these approaches finds more support in the text?
- At various times in history, Jews have martyred themselves. What gives one the strength to do so? How should those who can not stand up to the challenge be viewed? See Rambam's Iggeret HaShemad and his attitude towards the אנוסים of his time who recited the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith) rather than be slain by the Almohades.
Sectarian Debates Over the Omer
The date of the Omer offering has been a source of fiery debate between various sects of Judaism for over two thousand years. The Torah provides no calendrical date, merely stating that the Omer should be brought "מִמׇּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת". While the Samaritan, Karaite, and Qumran sects all understand "הַשַּׁבָּת" to refer to the seventh day of the week (and that the Omer offering is therefore brought on a Sunday), Rabbinic Judaism maintains that it refers to the first day of Chag HaMatzot (and that the Omer is offered on the 16th of Nisan). See "ממחרת השבת".
- What motivates the Rabbinic position to read the word "Shabbat" in this manner? Is this a simple rendering of the word? What other textual or theological issues might lead Rabbinic commentators to disagree with the sectarian readings?
- According to the sectarian groups, what is so significant about a Sunday that Hashem would mandate that the Omer offering (and thus Shavuot) always fall out on that day specifically? In addition, the lack of a set date for Shavuot3 serves to sever any connection between it and the historical event of revelation. What does that do to "חג מתן תורתנו"?
- I. Kislev4 understands the phrase "מִמׇּחֳרַת הַשַּׁבָּת" to mean "the morrow of the cessation", and he suggests that the Omer was originally brought on the day after the cessation of the manna. In fact, the whole offering was meant to commemorate the miracle of the manna and the subsequent transition from supernatural providence to natural living. Why might it be important to remember the miracle of the manna specifically during harvest season?
Covenantal Bread
- Food plays an important role in many religious ceremonies. The rites of the Mishkan are no exception, and they include both the sacrificial service on the outer Altar and the מטרת השולחן ולחם הפנים on the inner Table. Why, though, is there a need for food in Hashem's abode?
- בתקופת התנ"ך, אכילת ארוחה משותפת הייתה חלק מתהליך כריתת ברית,5 דומה ללחיצת יד בחברה שלנו. לאור זה, ר' חובב יחיאלי6 מציע שלחם הפנים היה סוג של סעודה לצורך כריתת ברית שחידש באופן מתמיד את ברית סיני. איזו תמיכה טקסטואלית או רעיונית אפשר למצוא לקריאה זו? ראו מטרת השולחן ולחם הפנים, מטרת הקרבנות, ומטרת המשכן.
An Eye for an Eye
As the penalty for certain forms of physical assault, the Torah puts forth a principle of "measure for measure" punishment (talion), declaring that one give an "eye for an eye".
- Is such retribution the fairest form of justice, or is it "cruel and unusual" punishment?
- In setting penalties for crimes, which of the following objectives should be paramount: compensation to the victim, rehabilitation of the criminal, retribution, or deterrence? What does this law suggest? Is this the norm or exception in Torah?
- The overwhelming majority of Talmudic sages rule that in the case of bodily harm, the guilty party pays restitution rather than being mutilated. But is this the simple interpretation of the verses in the Torah? Does the simple sense of the Biblical texts differ from the Rabbinic verdict? If so, why? And, most importantly, how can the peshat and derash be reconciled? See "עין תחת עין".
עוד...
לעוד נושאים בפרשה, ראו: רשימת נושאים – פרשת אמר.
