Points of Dispute

These are some of the central points of dispute (נקודות המחלוקת) between the various exegetes:

  • Cause of impediment
    • Birth defect – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor
    • Glowing coal – Shemot Rabbah, Divrei HaYamim LeMoshe Rabbeinu
    • Absence from Egypt – Rashbam
    • Spirituality – Ralbag
  • Did Hashem remove the disability?
    • Immediately –
    • At Mt. Sinai – Devarim Rabbah
    • Gradually – Shadal
    • Never – Ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Ramban, Ran
  • Why Hashem preserve the disability?
    • Memorialize the miracle – Ramban
    • Teach that Divine will does not require charisma – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Ran
    • Punishment for Moshe – Ramban
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