Difference between revisions of "Avraham's Aliyah/2"
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<point><b>Why is the story achronological?</b> R. Saadia  asserts that since leaving Ur Kasdim is connected to the death of Terach in Charan, the Torah wanted to first discuss the matters relating to Terach before moving into the material relevant only to Avraham.</point> | <point><b>Why is the story achronological?</b> R. Saadia  asserts that since leaving Ur Kasdim is connected to the death of Terach in Charan, the Torah wanted to first discuss the matters relating to Terach before moving into the material relevant only to Avraham.</point> | ||
| − | <point><b>Meaning of "מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ"</b> – These sources understand the word "מולדת"  to mean birthplace, and use this as proof that Hashem must have spoken to Avraham in Ur Kasdim,<fn>Since Avraham is in Ur Kasdim before he starts his travels, this position assumes that he was born there as well.</fn> for if he had been in Charan, he would not be leaving his place of birth.  The phrase "מִבֵּית אָבִיךָ" is somewhat difficult in light of the fact that Avraham did not leave his  immediate family behind him | + | <point><b>Meaning of "מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ"</b> – These sources understand the word "מולדת"  to mean birthplace, and use this as proof that Hashem must have spoken to Avraham in Ur Kasdim,<fn>Since Avraham is in Ur Kasdim before he starts his travels, this position assumes that he was born there as well.</fn> for if he had been in Charan, he would not be leaving his place of birth.  The phrase "מִבֵּית אָבִיךָ", though, is somewhat difficult in light of the fact that Avraham did not leave his  immediate family behind him.  This approach might suggest that the term refers literally to teh house Avraham grew up in, or perhaps to the rest of the family that was left behind.</point> |
| − | <point><b> | + | <point><b>Avraham's servant</b> – This understanding must explain how when Avraham tells his servant to go "", he  heads to "" or Charan, rather than Ur Kasdim.</point> |
<point><b>Location of Ur Kasdim - Is Avraham from עבר הנבהר?</b></point> | <point><b>Location of Ur Kasdim - Is Avraham from עבר הנבהר?</b></point> | ||
<point><b>430 vs 400</b> – This position is motivated to set Avraham's departure from Ur Kasdim at 70 specifically in order to solve the discrepancy regarding the duration of the exile.  These sources maintain that the 430 year period is dated form Avraham's personal exile, while the 400 years is dated from the birth of YItzchak.</point> | <point><b>430 vs 400</b> – This position is motivated to set Avraham's departure from Ur Kasdim at 70 specifically in order to solve the discrepancy regarding the duration of the exile.  These sources maintain that the 430 year period is dated form Avraham's personal exile, while the 400 years is dated from the birth of YItzchak.</point> | ||
Version as of 22:41, 15 June 2015
Avraham's Aliyah
Exegetical Approaches
Left at 70
Hashem commanded Avraham to leave Ur Kasdim when he was 70. He left, stayed in Charan for five years, and then made the final move to Canaan.
" וַיֹּאמֶר י"י אֶל אַבְרָם לֶךְ לְךָ" – Though all these sources agree that Hashem's command to Avraham was given while he was still in Ur Kasdim, they differ in how they read this verse:
- According to Ibn Ezra the statement is but one example of many verses which are not found in their chronological place.
- R. Saadia agrees but asserts that Tanakh simply reversed the cause and effect. He suggests that the verse is connected to the previous passage and should in effect read as if written, "And Terach took... [because] Hahsem said to Avraham, go".
- Radak, in contrast, maintains that the word "וַיֹּאמֶר" should be understood as "He had already said".
Why did Avraham's family leave Ur Kasdim? According to these sources, the family left on the initiative of Avraham rather than Terach; upon hearing Hashem's command, Avraham convinced part of his family to join him in his travels.
"וַיִּקַּח תֶּרַח אֶת אַבְרָם..." – R. Saadia and Radak suggest that despite it being Avraham's decision to leave, the verse nonetheless attributes the move to Terach since he was the patriarch of the family.
"לָלֶכֶת אַרְצָה כְּנַעַן" – These commentators disagree in how they explain why Avraham went towards Canaan if Hashem had not told him where he was headed.
- According to Ibn Ezra, even though it is not explicit in the text, Hashem did in fact tell Avraham upfront that he should travel to Canaan.1 The family left with the intent of arriving there and Avraham only procrastinated in Charan since the land was pleasing to his father.
- Radak disagrees, suggesting that though Avraham was unaware of the final destination, he headed towards Canaan since that was the first country outside the borders of Aram.
Why is the story achronological? R. Saadia asserts that since leaving Ur Kasdim is connected to the death of Terach in Charan, the Torah wanted to first discuss the matters relating to Terach before moving into the material relevant only to Avraham.
Meaning of "מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ" – These sources understand the word "מולדת" to mean birthplace, and use this as proof that Hashem must have spoken to Avraham in Ur Kasdim,2 for if he had been in Charan, he would not be leaving his place of birth. The phrase "מִבֵּית אָבִיךָ", though, is somewhat difficult in light of the fact that Avraham did not leave his immediate family behind him. This approach might suggest that the term refers literally to teh house Avraham grew up in, or perhaps to the rest of the family that was left behind.
Avraham's servant – This understanding must explain how when Avraham tells his servant to go "", he heads to "" or Charan, rather than Ur Kasdim.
Location of Ur Kasdim - Is Avraham from עבר הנבהר?
430 vs 400 – This position is motivated to set Avraham's departure from Ur Kasdim at 70 specifically in order to solve the discrepancy regarding the duration of the exile. These sources maintain that the 430 year period is dated form Avraham's personal exile, while the 400 years is dated from the birth of YItzchak.
"וְאַבְרָם בֶּן חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה בְּצֵאתוֹ מֵחָרָן" – This approach must explain why the Torah deems it importantto tell the reader that Varahm left Charan at 75, if the mian departure had been at 70.
"אֲנִי י"י אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים" – Ibn Ezra points to this verse as evidence that Hashem commanded Avraham to leave while still in Ur Kasdim.3
Left Charan on Hashem's Command at 75
Hashem first commanded Avraham to go to Israel after he was already living in Charan. He headed towards the promised land at the age of 75.
Moved to Israel Multiple Times
Avraham moved to Israel for the Covenant of the Pieces, returned to Charan, and then left agin at the age of 75.
