Difference between revisions of "Purpose of Hakhel/2"
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<category>Educating Toward Practical Observance | <category>Educating Toward Practical Observance | ||
| − | <p>The Hakhel assembly | + | <p>The Hakhel assembly has an educational goal, teaching the nation Torah to ensure their proper observance of the commandments.</p> |
<mekorot><multilink><a href="RalbagDevarim31-10" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagDevarim31-10" data-aht="source">Devarim 31:10</a><a href="RalbagDevarim31Toelet13" data-aht="source">Devarim 31 Toelet 13</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, Tzeror HaMor, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelDevarim31-12-13" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelDevarim31-12-13" data-aht="source">Devarim 31:12-13</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink></mekorot> | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RalbagDevarim31-10" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagDevarim31-10" data-aht="source">Devarim 31:10</a><a href="RalbagDevarim31Toelet13" data-aht="source">Devarim 31 Toelet 13</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, Tzeror HaMor, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelDevarim31-12-13" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelDevarim31-12-13" data-aht="source">Devarim 31:12-13</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink></mekorot> | ||
<point><b>Why "בְּמֹעֵד שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה"</b><ul> | <point><b>Why "בְּמֹעֵד שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה"</b><ul> | ||
| − | <li>Ralbag asserts that the | + | <li>Ralbag asserts that the Shemittah year was chosen due to its inherent holiness and the fact that it testifies to the existence of Hashem, a prerequisite for observance.</li> |
| − | <li>Abarbanel gives a more practical reason, that during this year everyone | + | <li>Abarbanel gives a more practical reason for the choice, pointing out that during this year everyone is free from work and available to assemble.</li> |
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>Why on Sukkot specifically?</b> Ralbag maintains that on Sukkot, after people have gathered all the fruits of their labor,  they are most likely to forget Hashem.  Thus, it is specifically at this juncture that the need a reminder to redirect them to fear of God.</point> | <point><b>Why on Sukkot specifically?</b> Ralbag maintains that on Sukkot, after people have gathered all the fruits of their labor,  they are most likely to forget Hashem.  Thus, it is specifically at this juncture that the need a reminder to redirect them to fear of God.</point> | ||
| − | <point><b>What is read?</b> Abarbanel, following Bavli Sotah 41a, asserts that only Sefer Devarim | + | <point><b>What is read?</b> Abarbanel, following Bavli Sotah 41a, asserts that only Sefer Devarim is read,<fn>As support he points to the reading of the Torah in the time of Yoshiyahu where the verse states that "ספר הברית" specifically was read.  Abarbanel identifies Sefer HaBerit with Devarim, since it contains the details of the covenant at Moav.</fn> since it contains most of the Torah's legal sections.  It would have been too difficult to read all five books, and it was not necessary to teach the nation the story of Creation or the laws of Sefer Vayikra regardless.</point> |
<point><b>Who reads?</b> According to Ralbag any leader, be he king, priest,or prince<fn>He might be drawing on verse 9 which states that Moshe gave the Torah to both the priests and elders, suggesting that these same people are those who are instructed to read it later on.</fn> can read, as all of these play a teaching role and are respected by the nation.  However, if a king is present he is preferred as he has his own commandment to write for himself a Torah and learn from it constantly.  As such, he is most appropriate for the task of educating the nation in Torah.</point> | <point><b>Who reads?</b> According to Ralbag any leader, be he king, priest,or prince<fn>He might be drawing on verse 9 which states that Moshe gave the Torah to both the priests and elders, suggesting that these same people are those who are instructed to read it later on.</fn> can read, as all of these play a teaching role and are respected by the nation.  However, if a king is present he is preferred as he has his own commandment to write for himself a Torah and learn from it constantly.  As such, he is most appropriate for the task of educating the nation in Torah.</point> | ||
<point><b>All inclusive nature</b></point> | <point><b>All inclusive nature</b></point> | ||
<point><b>הַטַּף versus וּבְנֵיהֶם</b></point> | <point><b>הַטַּף versus וּבְנֵיהֶם</b></point> | ||
<point><b>אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדְעוּ</b></point> | <point><b>אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדְעוּ</b></point> | ||
| − | <point><b>"יִשְׁמְעוּ וְלָמְדוּ לְיִרְאָה" versus "יִשְׁמְעו ...יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ... וְשָׁמְרוּ"</b> | + | <point><b>"יִשְׁמְעוּ וְלָמְדוּ לְיִרְאָה" versus "יִשְׁמְעו ...יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ... וְשָׁמְרוּ"</b></point> |
<point><b>Why only every seven years?</b> R. D"Z Hoffmann questuions this approach; how is it really possible that a once in seven year reading of the Torah will suffice to instill within the nation the tOrah's many teachings.<br/>Abarbanel</point> | <point><b>Why only every seven years?</b> R. D"Z Hoffmann questuions this approach; how is it really possible that a once in seven year reading of the Torah will suffice to instill within the nation the tOrah's many teachings.<br/>Abarbanel</point> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
Version as of 23:11, 2 March 2016
Purpose of Hakhel
Exegetical Approaches
Educating Toward Practical Observance
The Hakhel assembly has an educational goal, teaching the nation Torah to ensure their proper observance of the commandments.
Why "בְּמֹעֵד שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה"
- Ralbag asserts that the Shemittah year was chosen due to its inherent holiness and the fact that it testifies to the existence of Hashem, a prerequisite for observance.
- Abarbanel gives a more practical reason for the choice, pointing out that during this year everyone is free from work and available to assemble.
Why on Sukkot specifically? Ralbag maintains that on Sukkot, after people have gathered all the fruits of their labor, they are most likely to forget Hashem. Thus, it is specifically at this juncture that the need a reminder to redirect them to fear of God.
What is read? Abarbanel, following Bavli Sotah 41a, asserts that only Sefer Devarim is read,1 since it contains most of the Torah's legal sections. It would have been too difficult to read all five books, and it was not necessary to teach the nation the story of Creation or the laws of Sefer Vayikra regardless.
Who reads? According to Ralbag any leader, be he king, priest,or prince2 can read, as all of these play a teaching role and are respected by the nation. However, if a king is present he is preferred as he has his own commandment to write for himself a Torah and learn from it constantly. As such, he is most appropriate for the task of educating the nation in Torah.
All inclusive nature
הַטַּף versus וּבְנֵיהֶם
אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדְעוּ
"יִשְׁמְעוּ וְלָמְדוּ לְיִרְאָה" versus "יִשְׁמְעו ...יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ... וְשָׁמְרוּ"
Why only every seven years? R. D"Z Hoffmann questuions this approach; how is it really possible that a once in seven year reading of the Torah will suffice to instill within the nation the tOrah's many teachings.
Abarbanel
Abarbanel
Instilling Fear of God
The Hakhel ceremony has an experiential objective. It reenacts the Covenant at Sinai, instilling in the people a fear of Hashem.
Sources:Rambam, R. D"Z Hoffmann
Transmitting the Tradition
Leading the Nation to Repentance
Sources:Keli Yakar
