Difference between revisions of "Elisha and the Son of the Shunamite/2"
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<p>The Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the miracle bestowed upon her, and did not recognize that the supernatural birth of her son brought with it the responsibility of raising him to greatness.</p> | <p>The Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the miracle bestowed upon her, and did not recognize that the supernatural birth of her son brought with it the responsibility of raising him to greatness.</p> | ||
<mekorot>R"E Samet</mekorot> | <mekorot>R"E Samet</mekorot> | ||
| − | <point><b>The Shunamites' title: אִשָּׁה גְדוֹלָה</b> – <p>R. Samet notes that, unlike other childless women in Tanakh, the Shunamite is not introduced to the reader as barren, but rather as an important woman. He suggests that this implies that the woman's barren status must not have bothered her greatly,<fn>She is not identified by the text as barren, because that is not how she identified herself.</fn> and that she instead filled her days by taking care of her estate and involving herself with acts of hospitality.<fn> | + | <point><b>The Shunamites' title: אִשָּׁה גְדוֹלָה</b> – <p>R. Samet notes that, unlike other childless women in Tanakh, the Shunamite is not introduced to the reader as barren, but rather as an important woman. He suggests that this implies that the woman's barren status must not have bothered her greatly,<fn>She is not identified by the text as barren, because that is not how she identified herself.</fn> and that she instead filled her days by taking care of her estate and involving herself with acts of hospitality.<fn>undefined</fn> </p></point> |
<point><b>No request for a son</b> – According to R. Samet, the Shunamite does not ask for her son, because it was simply not high on her list of priorities. When told of her upcoming pregnancy, she replies ""אַל תְּכַזֵּב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶךָ", not out of fear of being disappointed, but simply because she is not in the frame of mind to become a mother.  It is for this very reason that Elisha had not thought on his own of granting her a son.  Had the Shunamite been yearning for a child, he would probably have taken notice of the fact by himself and not needed Geichazi to enlighten him.</point> | <point><b>No request for a son</b> – According to R. Samet, the Shunamite does not ask for her son, because it was simply not high on her list of priorities. When told of her upcoming pregnancy, she replies ""אַל תְּכַזֵּב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶךָ", not out of fear of being disappointed, but simply because she is not in the frame of mind to become a mother.  It is for this very reason that Elisha had not thought on his own of granting her a son.  Had the Shunamite been yearning for a child, he would probably have taken notice of the fact by himself and not needed Geichazi to enlighten him.</point> | ||
| − | <point><b>Evaluation of Shunamite</b> – R. Samet views this lack of desire for a child negatively, | + | <point><b>Evaluation of Shunamite</b> – R. Samet views this lack of desire for a child negatively, suggesting that the Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the blessing of motherhood.  --- however, claims that is an unfair evaluation. A woman who is able to overcomes her distress at her barren status and find other sources of meaning in life should be lauded, not criticized.</point> |
| − | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – R"E</point> | + | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – R"E Samet attempts to support his negative view of the Shunamite by contrasting her with other barren women in Tanakh.  While Sarah, Rachel, and Channah all express their joy and thanksgiving on bearing a child, and see to it that the child is raised so as to become a leader, thereby meriting their miraculous birth) the Shunamite is passive. The text shares no prayer of thanksgiving and no description of her caring for teh child in any special way.</point> |
| + | <point><b>"וַיִּגְדַּל הַיָּלֶד... וַיֵּצֵא... אֶל הַקֹּצְרִים"</b> – R. Same points to this description of the boy's growth as evidence that the Shunamite did not invest properly in the son given to her via miracle. He was not raised to learn Torah or do good deeds, but rather to work in the field. </point> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category>No Flaw | <category>No Flaw | ||
Version as of 09:53, 21 December 2017
Elisha and the Son of the Shunamite
Exegetical Approaches
Flaw in Elisha
Elisha was at fault for the death of the Shunamite's son. This approach divides regarding the nature of his sin:
Overstepped Prophetic Authority
Elisha overstepped his prophetic authority by declaring that he could bring life. Giving life should be in Hashem's hands alone.
Prophetic authority
The Shunamites' title: אִשָּׁה גְדוֹלָה
Geichazi's suggestion
Indirect speech
The Shunamite's reaction: אַל תְּכַזֵּב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶךָ
Son's death
וַה' הֶעְלִים מִמֶּנִּי וְלֹא הִגִּיד לִי
Geichazi's failure
Elish'a actions
Biblical parallels
Lack of Empathy
Elisha's treatment of the Shunamite and unsolicited promise of a son portrayed a lack of sensitivity to his barren hostess.
Sources:Y. Amit, R"M Lichtenstein
Flaw in the Shunamite
The Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the miracle bestowed upon her, and did not recognize that the supernatural birth of her son brought with it the responsibility of raising him to greatness.
Sources:R"E Samet
The Shunamites' title: אִשָּׁה גְדוֹלָה –
R. Samet notes that, unlike other childless women in Tanakh, the Shunamite is not introduced to the reader as barren, but rather as an important woman. He suggests that this implies that the woman's barren status must not have bothered her greatly,4 and that she instead filled her days by taking care of her estate and involving herself with acts of hospitality.5
No request for a son – According to R. Samet, the Shunamite does not ask for her son, because it was simply not high on her list of priorities. When told of her upcoming pregnancy, she replies ""אַל תְּכַזֵּב בְּשִׁפְחָתֶךָ", not out of fear of being disappointed, but simply because she is not in the frame of mind to become a mother. It is for this very reason that Elisha had not thought on his own of granting her a son. Had the Shunamite been yearning for a child, he would probably have taken notice of the fact by himself and not needed Geichazi to enlighten him.
Evaluation of Shunamite – R. Samet views this lack of desire for a child negatively, suggesting that the Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the blessing of motherhood. --- however, claims that is an unfair evaluation. A woman who is able to overcomes her distress at her barren status and find other sources of meaning in life should be lauded, not criticized.
Biblical parallels – R"E Samet attempts to support his negative view of the Shunamite by contrasting her with other barren women in Tanakh. While Sarah, Rachel, and Channah all express their joy and thanksgiving on bearing a child, and see to it that the child is raised so as to become a leader, thereby meriting their miraculous birth) the Shunamite is passive. The text shares no prayer of thanksgiving and no description of her caring for teh child in any special way.
"וַיִּגְדַּל הַיָּלֶד... וַיֵּצֵא... אֶל הַקֹּצְרִים" – R. Same points to this description of the boy's growth as evidence that the Shunamite did not invest properly in the son given to her via miracle. He was not raised to learn Torah or do good deeds, but rather to work in the field.
No Flaw
The death of the son of the Shunamite was not related to any sin, but was rather was the result of natural causes.
