Difference between revisions of "Moshe/0"

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</subcategory>
 
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<subcategory>Miracles
 
<subcategory>Miracles
<p class="nonintro">The concluding verses of Torah suggest that no other prophet compares to Moshe, not only in his prophetic prowess, but also in all of the signs and wonders he wrought. What, though, was so exceptional about Moshe's miracle-making? Did not other prophets perform similar feats?<fn>Was Yehoshua's making the sun stand still or Eliyahu's reviving of the dead any less remarkable than Moshe's miracles?</fn> Commentators offer several approaches: [See <a href="Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders" data-aht="page">Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders</a> and&#160;<a href="Philosophy:Miracles" data-aht="page">Miracles</a> for elaboration.]</p>
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<p class="nonintro">The concluding verses of Torah suggest that no other prophet compares to Moshe, not only in his prophetic prowess, but also in all of the signs and wonders he wrought. What, though, was so exceptional about Moshe's miracle-making? Did not other prophets perform similar feats?<fn>Was Yehoshua's making the sun stand still or Eliyahu's reviving of the dead any less remarkable than Moshe's miracles?</fn> Commentators offer several approaches: [See <a href="Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders" data-aht="page">Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders</a> and&#160;<a href="Philosophy:Miracles" data-aht="page">Miracles</a> for elaboration.]</p><ul>
<ul>
 
 
<li><b>Abundance</b>&#160;– <multilink><a href="RambanDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:10-12</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>,&#160;<multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra10-20" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:10-12</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink> and&#160;<multilink><a href="ShadalDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:10-12</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> assert that Moshe's miracles were unparalleled due to their sheer numbers, duration, and/or the area which they affected.</li>
 
<li><b>Abundance</b>&#160;– <multilink><a href="RambanDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:10-12</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>,&#160;<multilink><a href="RalbagVayikra10-20" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:10-12</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink> and&#160;<multilink><a href="ShadalDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalDevarim34-10-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:10-12</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink> assert that Moshe's miracles were unparalleled due to their sheer numbers, duration, and/or the area which they affected.</li>
 
<li><b> Wide audience</b>&#160;–&#160;<multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorDevarim34-12" data-aht="source">R"Y Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorDevarim34-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:12</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink> and&#160;<multilink><a href="MorehNevukhim2-35" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="MorehNevukhim2-35" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:35</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink> suggest, instead, that Moshe's wonders were unique because they were viewed by a wider audience. While most prophets performed miracles for individuals or a small portion of the nation, Moshe's were known to all of the Children of Israel as well as the surrounding nations</li>
 
<li><b> Wide audience</b>&#160;–&#160;<multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorDevarim34-12" data-aht="source">R"Y Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorDevarim34-12" data-aht="source">Devarim 34:12</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink> and&#160;<multilink><a href="MorehNevukhim2-35" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="MorehNevukhim2-35" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:35</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink> suggest, instead, that Moshe's wonders were unique because they were viewed by a wider audience. While most prophets performed miracles for individuals or a small portion of the nation, Moshe's were known to all of the Children of Israel as well as the surrounding nations</li>
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<category>Possible Flaws
 
<category>Possible Flaws
 
<subcategory>Misunderstanding Hashem
 
<subcategory>Misunderstanding Hashem
<p class="nonintro">Commentators disagree as to whether it is legitimate to maintain that Moshe could have ever misunderstand Hashem and His instructions (for a parallel discussion regarding other prophets, see <a href="Philosophy:Prophecy" data-aht="page">Prophecy</a>). </p>
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<p class="nonintro">Commentators disagree as to whether it is legitimate to maintain that Moshe could have ever misunderstand Hashem and His instructions (for a parallel discussion regarding other prophets, see <a href="Philosophy:Prophecy" data-aht="page">Prophecy</a>). </p><ul>
<ul>
 
 
<li><b>Moshe could have misunderstood Hashem</b> – Several sources assert that it is possible that, on occasion, Moshe erred in understanding Hashem:</li>
 
<li><b>Moshe could have misunderstood Hashem</b> – Several sources assert that it is possible that, on occasion, Moshe erred in understanding Hashem:</li>
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
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</subcategory>
 
</subcategory>
 
<subcategory>Misunderstanding the Nation
 
<subcategory>Misunderstanding the Nation
<p class="nonintro">Commentators disagree as to whether this happened:</p>
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<p class="nonintro">Commentators disagree as to whether this happened:</p><ul>
<ul>
 
 
<li>Moshe misunderstood the nation – <multilink><a href="RasagCommentaryShemot30-11" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RasagCommentaryShemot30-11" data-aht="source">Commentary Shemot 30:11-15</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink> (see <a href="Petition of the Two and a Half Tribes" data-aht="page">Petition of the Two and a Half Tribes</a>), <multilink><a href="ToledotYitzchakBemidbar1-1" data-aht="source">Toledot Yitzchak</a><a href="ToledotYitzchakBemidbar1-1" data-aht="source">Bemidbar 1:1</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Karo (Toledot Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Karo</a></multilink>,</li>
 
<li>Moshe misunderstood the nation – <multilink><a href="RasagCommentaryShemot30-11" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RasagCommentaryShemot30-11" data-aht="source">Commentary Shemot 30:11-15</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink> (see <a href="Petition of the Two and a Half Tribes" data-aht="page">Petition of the Two and a Half Tribes</a>), <multilink><a href="ToledotYitzchakBemidbar1-1" data-aht="source">Toledot Yitzchak</a><a href="ToledotYitzchakBemidbar1-1" data-aht="source">Bemidbar 1:1</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Karo (Toledot Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Karo</a></multilink>,</li>
 
<li>Moshe did not misunderstand the nation –&#160;</li>
 
<li>Moshe did not misunderstand the nation –&#160;</li>
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</subcategory>
 
</subcategory>
 
<subcategory>Miscalculations
 
<subcategory>Miscalculations
<p class="nonintro">Commentators disagree as to whether this happened:</p>
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<p class="nonintro">Commentators disagree as to whether this happened:</p><ul>
<ul>
 
 
<li>Moshe could have made errors of judgment – see <a href="Mystery at the Malon" data-aht="page">Mystery at the Malon</a>.</li>
 
<li>Moshe could have made errors of judgment – see <a href="Mystery at the Malon" data-aht="page">Mystery at the Malon</a>.</li>
 
<li>Moshe did not make errors of judgment –&#160;</li>
 
<li>Moshe did not make errors of judgment –&#160;</li>
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</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>Upbringing, Marriage and Family Life
 
<category>Upbringing, Marriage and Family Life
<subcategory>Miraculous Birth?Commentators divide in how they views Moshe's birth and early years, with some presenting
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<subcategory>Miraculous Birth?
 
</subcategory>
 
</subcategory>
 
<subcategory>Palace Upbringing
 
<subcategory>Palace Upbringing

Version as of 01:43, 1 September 2019

Moshe – Overview

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Please contact us if you would like to assist in its development.


Unique Traits

Prophetic Powers

See

Miracles

The concluding verses of Torah suggest that no other prophet compares to Moshe, not only in his prophetic prowess, but also in all of the signs and wonders he wrought. What, though, was so exceptional about Moshe's miracle-making? Did not other prophets perform similar feats?1 Commentators offer several approaches: [See Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders and Miracles for elaboration.]

Wisdom

See

Possible Flaws

Misunderstanding Hashem

Commentators disagree as to whether it is legitimate to maintain that Moshe could have ever misunderstand Hashem and His instructions (for a parallel discussion regarding other prophets, see Prophecy).

Misunderstanding the Nation

Commentators disagree as to whether this happened:

Miscalculations

Commentators disagree as to whether this happened:

  • Moshe could have made errors of judgment – see Mystery at the Malon.
  • Moshe did not make errors of judgment – 

Sins

Anger

The Torah explicitly notes Moshe's wrath in three places: Shemot 16:20, Vayikra 10:16, and Bemidbar 31:14.

There are a number of additional cases where some commentators claim that Moshe's temper got the better of him - see discussions in Shemot 2, Shemot 32, Bemidbar 20, Bemidbar 32.

Administrative Shortcomings

Some exegetes suggest that Moshe exhibited certain weaknesses as an administrator. See Did Moshe Need Yitro's Advice for elaboration, and see analyses of Moshe's leadership in Bemidbar 11 and Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah.

Speech Impediment

The three verses of Shemot 4:10, 6:12, and 6:30 describe Moshe's speech impediment using the terms of "כְבַד פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן" and "עֲרַל שְׂפָתָיִם‎". Exegetes debate whether or not this disability was of a physical nature, and why Hashem would choose such a messenger to be His spokesman. See Moshe's Speech Impediment.

  • Physical Disability –According to Moshe's speech impediment was of a physical nature and involved difficulties in letter pronunciation or stuttering.
  • Non-physical Disability –

Religious Identity

Was Moshe's Son Uncircumcised and Why?

Upbringing, Marriage and Family Life

Miraculous Birth?

Palace Upbringing

Moshe's Marriage