Difference between revisions of "Moshe and Yehoshua/0"
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<h2>Content Parallels</h2> | <h2>Content Parallels</h2> | ||
| + | <p>The following chart displays many of the points of contact between Moshe and Yehoshua, emphasizing how Yehoshua mirrored his mentor and finished tasks he left uncompleted:</p> | ||
<table lang="en"> | <table lang="en"> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
| − | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="color: #339966;">Leadership</span></b></td> | + | <td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"> |
| + | <p><b><span style="color: #339966;">Leadership</span></b></p> | ||
| + | </td> | ||
<td> | <td> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li><span style="color: #339966;"><b>Title</b></span> – Both Moshe and Yehoshua are referred to as  "עֶבֶד י"י".‎<fn>Moshe is called an עֶבֶד י"י on 18 occasions, while Yehoshua is given the title twice (See Yehoshua 24:29 and Shofetim 2:8). In fact, the Book of Yehoshua is framed by mention of the death of "Moshe, the servant of Hashem" in its opening verse, and the death of "Yehoshua, the servant of Hashem" in its last chapter.</fn>  They are the only two leaders in Tanakh to merit the title.</li> | + | <li><span style="color: #339966;"><b>Title</b></span> – Both Moshe and Yehoshua are referred to as an  "עֶבֶד י"י".‎<fn>Moshe is called an עֶבֶד י"י on 18 occasions, while Yehoshua is given the title twice (See Yehoshua 24:29 and Shofetim 2:8). In fact, the Book of Yehoshua is framed by mention of the death of "Moshe, the servant of Hashem" in its opening verse, and the death of "Yehoshua, the servant of Hashem" in its last chapter.</fn>  They are the only two leaders in Tanakh to merit the title.</li> |
<li><span style="color: #339966;"><b>Encouragement needed</b></span> – At the beginning of their careers each leader lacks confidence and needs Hashem to tell them, "I will be with you".<fn>After Moshe asks, "Who am I to go to Paroh" Hashem says, "I will be with you" (Shemot 3:12).  Hashem echoes this encouragement to Yehoshua, telling him "As I was with Moshe so will I be with you", and adds, "חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ" (Yehoshua 1:5-6). These are the same two phrases which Moshe had previously used to encourage Yehoshua before his death: "וַיְצַו אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן וַיֹּאמֶר חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ... וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ" (Devarim 31:23).</fn>  </li> | <li><span style="color: #339966;"><b>Encouragement needed</b></span> – At the beginning of their careers each leader lacks confidence and needs Hashem to tell them, "I will be with you".<fn>After Moshe asks, "Who am I to go to Paroh" Hashem says, "I will be with you" (Shemot 3:12).  Hashem echoes this encouragement to Yehoshua, telling him "As I was with Moshe so will I be with you", and adds, "חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ" (Yehoshua 1:5-6). These are the same two phrases which Moshe had previously used to encourage Yehoshua before his death: "וַיְצַו אֶת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן וַיֹּאמֶר חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ... וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ" (Devarim 31:23).</fn>  </li> | ||
<li><b><span style="color: #339966;">King and prophet </span></b>– In contrast to other leaders, Moshe and Yehoshua each take on both political and spiritual roles, combining the positions of king and prophet.</li> | <li><b><span style="color: #339966;">King and prophet </span></b>– In contrast to other leaders, Moshe and Yehoshua each take on both political and spiritual roles, combining the positions of king and prophet.</li> | ||
| − | <li><b><span style="color: #339966;">Concluding speeches</span></b> – Both Moshe Yehoshua give motivational speeches to the nation before they die where they review major historical events and adjure the people to stay faithful to Hashem.</li> | + | <li><b><span style="color: #339966;">Concluding speeches</span></b> – Both Moshe and Yehoshua give motivational speeches to the nation before they die where they review major historical events and adjure the people to stay faithful to Hashem.</li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</td> | </td> | ||
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<td>Many of the pivotal events of Moshe's career occur again during Yehoshua's tenure<b> </b><br/> | <td>Many of the pivotal events of Moshe's career occur again during Yehoshua's tenure<b> </b><br/> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Revelation </b><span style="color: #000000;">– At the burning bush, an angel tells Moshe to remove his sandals, since the land upon which he stands is holy. In Yericho, Yehoshua is told the same.</span></span></li> | + | <li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Revelation </b><span style="color: #000000;">– <span style="color: #333333;">At the burning bush, an angel tells Moshe to remove his sandals, since the land upon which he stands is holy. In Yericho, Yehoshua is told the same.</span></span></span></li> |
<li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Splitting of water</b></span> – The miracle of the splitting of Yam Suf is repeated in the time of Yehoshua as the Jordan is similarly cut in two.<fn>Yehoshua explicitly makes the comparison, telling the nation, "אֲשֶׁר הוֹבִישׁ י"י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֶת מֵי הַיַּרְדֵּן מִפְּנֵיכֶם עַד עׇבְרְכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה י"י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם לְיַם סוּף".</fn></li> | <li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Splitting of water</b></span> – The miracle of the splitting of Yam Suf is repeated in the time of Yehoshua as the Jordan is similarly cut in two.<fn>Yehoshua explicitly makes the comparison, telling the nation, "אֲשֶׁר הוֹבִישׁ י"י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֶת מֵי הַיַּרְדֵּן מִפְּנֵיכֶם עַד עׇבְרְכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה י"י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם לְיַם סוּף".</fn></li> | ||
| − | <li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Pesach</b></span> – The Pesach is sacrificed before the major events of each era, the Exodus and the Conquest.<fn>It is possible that in each case there was mass circumcision as well.  Though such a communal circumcision is not explicit in Shemot,  Rashi and others learn from the language of Hashem's command to Yehoshua "שׁוּב מֹל אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל <b>שֵׁנִית</b>" that on the eve of the Exodus this had occurred.</fn></li> | + | <li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Tenth of Nisan </b><span style="color: #333333;">– Crucial preparations take place on the tenth of Nisan.  The nation prepares the lamb for the Pesach sacrifice in the time of Moshe, and they cross the Jordan to begin the conquest in the time of Yehoshua. </span></span></li> |
| + | <li><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Pesach</b></span> – The <span style="color: #000000;">Pesach</span> is sacrificed before the major events of each era, the Exodus and the Conquest.<fn>It is possible that in each case there was mass circumcision as well.  Though such a communal circumcision is not explicit in Shemot,  Rashi and others learn from the language of Hashem's command to Yehoshua "שׁוּב מֹל אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל <b>שֵׁנִית</b>" that on the eve of the Exodus this had occurred.</fn></li> | ||
<li><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Spies</b></span> – Both Moshe and Yehoshua send spies to check out the land before the intended conquest.</span></li> | <li><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>Spies</b></span> – Both Moshe and Yehoshua send spies to check out the land before the intended conquest.</span></li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
Version as of 00:39, 21 June 2016
Moshe and Yehoshua
Introduction
In Bavli Bava Batra, Moshe and Yehoshua are compared, with Moshe being likened to the sun and Yehoshua to the moon. The analogy highlights one of the greatest challenges faced by Yehoshua; how do you fill the shoes of a leader such as Moshe? Will you not automatically dim in comparison? Can you hope to be viewed as anything more than a meager reflection? When reading the Book of Yehoshua, it becomes apparent that the text consciously calls for a comparison between the leaders, repeatedly alluding to Moshe's actions and words . The many content parallels further suggest that many of Yehoshua's deeds do in fact reflect those of his teacher, as he replays some of the major events of Moshe's career.
Content Parallels
The following chart displays many of the points of contact between Moshe and Yehoshua, emphasizing how Yehoshua mirrored his mentor and finished tasks he left uncompleted:
| Leadership |
|
| Similar Events | Many of the pivotal events of Moshe's career occur again during Yehoshua's tenure
|
| Fulfillment of Tasks | Tasks begun by Moshe are completed by Yehoshua:
|
Literary Allusions
The above content parallels are buttressed by many literary allusions:
EN/HEע/E
| יהושע | משה |
| (יהושע א:ב) מֹשֶׁה עַבְדִּי מֵת וְעַתָּה קוּם עֲבֹר אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן הַזֶּה | (דברים לא:ב) וַי"י אָמַר אֵלַי לֹא תַעֲבֹר אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן הַזֶּה. |
| (יהושע א:ג-ה) כׇּל מָקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ כַּף רַגְלְכֶם בּוֹ לָכֶם נְתַתִּיו כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי אֶל מֹשֶׁה. מֵהַמִּדְבָּר וְהַלְּבָנוֹן הַזֶּה וְעַד הַנָּהָר הַגָּדוֹל נְהַר פְּרָת כֹּל אֶרֶץ הַחִתִּים וְעַד הַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל מְבוֹא הַשָּׁמֶשׁ יִהְיֶה גְּבוּלְכֶם. לֹא יִתְיַצֵּב אִישׁ לְפָנֶיךָ... | (דברים יא:כד) כׇּל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ כַּף רַגְלְכֶם בּוֹ לָכֶם יִהְיֶה מִן הַמִּדְבָּר וְהַלְּבָנוֹן מִן הַנָּהָר נְהַר פְּרָת וְעַד הַיָּם הָאַחֲרוֹן יִהְיֶה גְּבֻלְכֶם. לֹא יִתְיַצֵּב אִישׁ בִּפְנֵיכֶם... |
| (יהושע א:ה) כַּאֲשֶׁר הָיִיתִי עִם מֹשֶׁה אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ לֹא אַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא אֶעֶזְבֶךָּ. | (שמות ג:יב) וַיֹּאמֶר כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ |
| (יהושע א:ח) לֹא יָמוּשׁ סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה מִפִּיךָ | (דברים לא:ט) וַיִּכְתֹּב מֹשֶׁה אֶת הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת |
| (יהושע א:ט) הֲלוֹא צִוִּיתִיךָ חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ אַל תַּעֲרֹץ וְאַל תֵּחָת כִּי עִמְּךָ י"י אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ | (דברים לא:ו-ח) חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ אַל תִּירְאוּ וְאַל תַּעַרְצוּ... חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ... וַי"י הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ הוּא יִהְיֶה עִמָּךְ... לֹא תִירָא וְלֹא תֵחָת |
| (יהושע א:יא) הָכִינוּ לָכֶם צֵידָה כִּי בְּעוֹד שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים אַתֶּם עֹבְרִים אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן | (שמות יב:לט) וְגַם צֵדָה לֹא עָשׂוּ לָהֶם |
| (יהושע א:יד) נְשֵׁיכֶם טַפְּכֶם וּמִקְנֵיכֶם יֵשְׁבוּ בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָכֶם מֹשֶׁה בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן וְאַתֶּם תַּעַבְרוּ חֲמֻשִׁים לִפְנֵי אֲחֵיכֶם כֹּל גִּבּוֹרֵי הַחַיִל וַעֲזַרְתֶּם אוֹתָם. | (במדבר לב:כו-כז) טַפֵּנוּ נָשֵׁינוּ מִקְנֵנוּ וְכׇל בְּהֶמְתֵּנוּ יִהְיוּ שָׁם בְּעָרֵי הַגִּלְעָד |
| (יהושע א:טו) עַד אֲשֶׁר יָנִיחַ י"י לַאֲחֵיכֶם כָּכֶם וְיָרְשׁוּ גַם הֵמָּה אֶת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר י"י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָהֶם וְשַׁבְתֶּם לְאֶרֶץ יְרֻשַּׁתְכֶם וִירִשְׁתֶּם אוֹתָהּ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָכֶם מֹשֶׁה... | (דברים ג:כ) עַד אֲשֶׁר יָנִיחַ י"י לַאֲחֵיכֶם כָּכֶם וְיָרְשׁוּ גַם הֵם אֶת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר י"י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם נֹתֵן לָהֶם בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן וְשַׁבְתֶּם אִישׁ לִירֻשָּׁתוֹ אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָכֶם. |
| (יהושע ב:א) וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן מִן הַשִּׁטִּים שְׁנַיִם אֲנָשִׁים מְרַגְּלִים חֶרֶשׁ לֵאמֹר לְכוּ רְאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ | (במדבר יג:ב,יח) שְׁלַח לְךָ אֲנָשִׁים... וּרְאִיתֶם אֶת הָאָרֶץ מַה הִוא |
| (יהושע ג:טז-יז) וַיַּעַמְדוּ הַמַּיִם הַיֹּרְדִים מִלְמַעְלָה קָמוּ נֵד אֶחָד... וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹבְרִים בֶּחָרָבָה | (שמות טו:ח) וּבְרוּחַ אַפֶּיךָ נֶעֶרְמוּ מַיִם נִצְּבוּ כְמוֹ נֵד נֹזְלִים קָפְאוּ תְהֹמֹת בְּלֶב יָם |
| (יהושע ד:כא) וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁאָלוּן בְּנֵיכֶם מָחָר אֶת אֲבוֹתָם לֵאמֹר מָה הָאֲבָנִים הָאֵלֶּה. | (שמות יג:יד) וְהָיָה כִּי יִשְׁאׇלְךָ בִנְךָ מָחָר לֵאמֹר מַה זֹּאת וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו בְּחֹזֶק יָד הוֹצִיאָנוּ י"י מִמִּצְרַיִם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים.9 |
| (יהושע ה:טו) וַיֹּאמֶר שַׂר צְבָא י"י אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ שַׁל נַעַלְךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹמֵד עָלָיו קֹדֶשׁ הוּא | (שמות ג:ה) וַיֹּאמֶר אַל תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם שַׁל נְעָלֶיךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶיךָ כִּי הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עוֹמֵד עָלָיו אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא |
| (יהושע ו:ב',כ"א) וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ רְאֵה נָתַתִּי בְיָדְךָ אֶת יְרִיחוֹ וְאֶת מַלְכָּהּ גִּבּוֹרֵי הֶחָיִל. וַיַּחֲרִימוּ אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּעִיר מֵאִישׁ וְעַד אִשָּׁה מִנַּעַר וְעַד זָקֵן וְעַד שׁוֹר וָשֶׂה וַחֲמוֹר לְפִי חָרֶב. (יהושע ח':א'-ב') וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אַל תִּירָא... רְאֵה נָתַתִּי בְיָדְךָ אֶת מֶלֶךְ הָעַי וְאֶת עַמּוֹ וְאֶת עִירוֹ וְאֶת אַרְצוֹ. וְעָשִׂיתָ לָעַי וּלְמַלְכָּהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ לִּירִיחוֹ וּלְמַלְכָּהּ רַק שְׁלָלָהּ וּבְהֶמְתָּהּ תָּבֹזּוּ לָכֶם ... | (דברים ב:לא-לה) וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֵלַי רְאֵה הַחִלֹּתִי תֵּת לְפָנֶיךָ אֶת סִיחֹן וְאֶת אַרְצוֹ... וַנִּלְכֹּד אֶת כָּל עָרָיו בָּעֵת הַהִוא וַנַּחֲרֵם אֶת כָּל עִיר מְתִם וְהַנָּשִׁים וְהַטָּף לֹא הִשְׁאַרְנוּ שָׂרִיד. רַק הַבְּהֵמָה בָּזַזְנוּ לָנוּ וּשְׁלַל הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר לָכָדְנוּ. |
| יהושע י:כא) וַיָּשֻׁבוּ כׇל הָעָם אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁעַ מַקֵּדָה בְּשָׁלוֹם לֹא חָרַץ לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְאִישׁ אֶת לְשֹׁנוֹ. | (שמות יא:ז) וּלְכֹל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יֶחֱרַץ כֶּלֶב לְשֹׁנוֹ לְמֵאִישׁ וְעַד בְּהֵמָה לְמַעַן תֵּדְעוּן אֲשֶׁר יַפְלֶה י"י בֵּין מִצְרַיִם וּבֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל. |
| (יהושע כד:כט) וַיָּמׇת יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן עֶבֶד י"י | (דברים לד:ה) וַיָּמׇת שָׁם מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד י"י |
Analysis
- Distinctive phrases – Several of the above phrases are unique to these stories. Only Moshe and Yehoshua are given the title "עֶבֶד י"י" and only they are told "שַׁל נַעַלְךָ מֵעַל רַגְלֶךָ". Similarly, the phrases "כׇּל מָקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּדְרֹךְ כַּף רַגְלְכֶם בּוֹ" ,"כִּי יִשְׁאׇלְךָ בִנְךָ מָחָר" and "לֹא חָרַץ לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְשֹׁנוֹ" appear only here. Other formulations are rare and appear only in a handful of other places. Thus, the word "נֵד" appears only here and in two verses in Tehillim,10 one of which alludes back to our stories. Finally, the cluster of phrases "חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ", "לֹא יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ" and "אַל תֵּחָת" are found only here and in Divrei HaYamim.11
- Degree of similarity – Many of the parallels have a high degree of similarity. There are a couple of sentences which are almost completely identical,12 and other terms which differ only in number,13 speaker,14 or order.15 In other instances meaning is maintained though word choice differs.16
- Clustering – In some of the example, there is a clustering of parallels, further suggesting that these are not coincidental. Thus, Yehoshua 1:1-9 allude repeatedly to Devarim 31, and verses 14-15 make several references back to Devarim 3.
- Roles in their respective stories –
