Difference between revisions of "Revelation to the Elders at Sinai/2"

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<category>Meritorious
 
<category>Meritorious
−
<mekorot><multilink><a href="RashbamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotFirstCommentary24-10-11" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotFirstCommentary24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot First Commentary 24:10-11</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotSecondCommentary24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot Second Commentary 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, R"Y Bekhor Shor, <multilink><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">R. Avraham b. HaRambam</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Avraham Maimonides" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Maimonides</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="DaatZekeinimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Daat Zekeinim</a><a href="DaatZekeinimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="Daat Zekeinim" data-aht="parshan">About Daat Zekeinim</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot24-9" data-aht="source">R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot24-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:9</a><a href="R. Yosef ibn Kaspi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah24-10-11" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot Beur HaParashah 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink> #1, <multilink><a href="SefornoShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="OrHaChayyimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Or HaChayyim</a><a href="OrHaChayyimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Chayyim b. Atar (Or HaChayyim)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Chayyim b. Atar</a></multilink></mekorot>
+
<p>The elders encounter with Hashem at Sinai was a privilege that they deserved, in line with their merit and standing.</p>
 +
<mekorot><multilink><a href="RashbamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotFirstCommentary24-10-11" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotFirstCommentary24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot First Commentary 24:10-11</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotSecondCommentary24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot Second Commentary 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">R"Y Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">R. Avraham b. HaRambam</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Avraham Maimonides" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Maimonides</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="DaatZekeinimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Daat Zekeinim</a><a href="DaatZekeinimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="Daat Zekeinim" data-aht="parshan">About Daat Zekeinim</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot24-9" data-aht="source">R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot24-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:9</a><a href="R. Yosef ibn Kaspi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah24-10-11" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot Beur HaParashah 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink> #1, <multilink><a href="SefornoShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Seforno</a><a href="SefornoShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">About R. Ovadyah Seforno</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="OrHaChayyimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Or HaChayyim</a><a href="OrHaChayyimShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Chayyim b. Atar (Or HaChayyim)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Chayyim b. Atar</a></multilink></mekorot>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>Blameworthy
 
<category>Blameworthy
 +
<p>Though they were granted a stay of punishment, the elders at Sinai were deserving of death.&#160; This position differs regarding why:</p>
 
<opinion>Inappropriate Seeing
 
<opinion>Inappropriate Seeing
 +
<p>The elders were deserving of death either because they lacked the proper respect when granted the privilege of seeing Hashem, or for the very act of seeing itself.</p>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="VayikraRabbah20-10" data-aht="source">Vayikra Rabbah</a><a href="VayikraRabbah20-10" data-aht="source">20:10</a><a href="Vayikra Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Vayikra Rabbah</a></multilink>,<multilink><a href="PesiktaDeRavKahana26-9" data-aht="source"> Pesikta DeRav Kahana</a><a href="PesiktaDeRavKahana26-9" data-aht="source">26:9</a><a href="Pesikta DeRav Kahana" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta DeRav Kahana</a></multilink>,&#160;<multilink><a href="TanchumaBehaalotekha16" data-aht="source">Tanchuma</a><a href="TanchumaBehaalotekha16" data-aht="source">Behaalotekha 16</a><a href="Tanchuma" data-aht="parshan">About the Tanchuma</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TargumYerushalmiYonatanShemot24-9-11" data-aht="source">Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)</a><a href="TargumYerushalmiYonatanShemot24-9-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:9-11</a><a href="Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:1</a><a href="RashiShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>,</mekorot>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="VayikraRabbah20-10" data-aht="source">Vayikra Rabbah</a><a href="VayikraRabbah20-10" data-aht="source">20:10</a><a href="Vayikra Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Vayikra Rabbah</a></multilink>,<multilink><a href="PesiktaDeRavKahana26-9" data-aht="source"> Pesikta DeRav Kahana</a><a href="PesiktaDeRavKahana26-9" data-aht="source">26:9</a><a href="Pesikta DeRav Kahana" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta DeRav Kahana</a></multilink>,&#160;<multilink><a href="TanchumaBehaalotekha16" data-aht="source">Tanchuma</a><a href="TanchumaBehaalotekha16" data-aht="source">Behaalotekha 16</a><a href="Tanchuma" data-aht="parshan">About the Tanchuma</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TargumYerushalmiYonatanShemot24-9-11" data-aht="source">Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)</a><a href="TargumYerushalmiYonatanShemot24-9-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:9-11</a><a href="Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:1</a><a href="RashiShemot24-10-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:10-11</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>,</mekorot>
 +
<point><b>"לֹא שָׁלַח יָדוֹ"</b> – These sources understand the phrase to mean that Hashem did not send forth His hand to punish the elders, learning from this that they must have been deserving of death. They were granted a stay of execution only because Hashem did not want to ruin the happiness of the Giving of the Torah with the tragedy of their deaths.</point>
 +
<point><b>"וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתּוּ"</b> – These sources divide regarding whether the eating and drinking of this verse is literal<fn>This is how Rashi appears to understand the verse.</fn> or metaphoric,<fn>See Vayikra Rabbah, Pesikta DeRav Kahana, and Tanchuma.</fn> but all agree that it signified that the people did not have proper respect for the encounter with God. They either approached the revelation from literal food and drink, belittling the gravity of the experience, or treated Hashem as a friend before whom you are comfortable eating and drink rather than a king before whom you would not.</point>
 +
<point><b>Seeing Hashem</b> – Rashi</point>
 
</opinion>
 
</opinion>
−
<opinion>Problematic Prophecy
+
<opinion>Flawed Perception
 +
<p>Due to insufficient preparation, the elders attained a flawed perception of God, deserving them death.</p>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="MorehNevukhim1-5" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="MorehNevukhim1-5" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 1:5</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink></mekorot>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="MorehNevukhim1-5" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="MorehNevukhim1-5" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 1:5</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Maimon</a></multilink></mekorot>
 
</opinion>
 
</opinion>
 
</category>
 
</category>
−
<category>Varying Levels
+
<category>Different levels &#160;
−
<p>The verses differentiate between two groups, each of whom attained different levels and should</p>
+
<p>The verses differentiate between two groups, one of which attained prophecy and merited to comprehend the Divine at a fairly high level, while the other received only a very low level of or no prophecy at all.</p>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="AkeidatYitzchakShemotPeirush24" data-aht="source">Akeidat Yitzchak</a><a href="AkeidatYitzchakShemotPeirush24" data-aht="source">Shemot Peirush 24</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Arama (Akeidat Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Arama</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:1</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TzerorHaMorShemot24-11" data-aht="source">R. Avraham Saba</a><a href="TzerorHaMorShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Tzeror HaMor Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Avraham Saba (Tzeror HaMor)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Saba (Tzeror HaMor)</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahShemot24-11" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahShemot11" data-aht="source">Shemot 11</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot>
 
<mekorot><multilink><a href="AkeidatYitzchakShemotPeirush24" data-aht="source">Akeidat Yitzchak</a><a href="AkeidatYitzchakShemotPeirush24" data-aht="source">Shemot Peirush 24</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Arama (Akeidat Yitzchak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Arama</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot24-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:1</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TzerorHaMorShemot24-11" data-aht="source">R. Avraham Saba</a><a href="TzerorHaMorShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Tzeror HaMor Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Avraham Saba (Tzeror HaMor)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Saba (Tzeror HaMor)</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahShemot24-11" data-aht="source">HaKetav VeHaKabbalah</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahShemot11" data-aht="source">Shemot 11</a><a href="HaKetavVeHaKabbalahShemot24-11" data-aht="source">Shemot 24:11</a><a href="R. Yaakov Mecklenburg (HaKetav VeHaKabbalah)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg</a></multilink></mekorot>
 
</category>
 
</category>

Version as of 10:49, 16 February 2020

The Elders at Sinai

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Meritorious

Blameworthy

Though they were granted a stay of punishment, the elders at Sinai were deserving of death.  This position differs regarding why:

Inappropriate Seeing

The elders were deserving of death either because they lacked the proper respect when granted the privilege of seeing Hashem, or for the very act of seeing itself.

Sources:Vayikra Rabbah20:10About Vayikra Rabbah, Pesikta DeRav Kahana26:9About Pesikta DeRav Kahana, TanchumaBehaalotekha 16About the Tanchuma, Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan)Shemot 24:9-11About Targum Yerushalmi (Yonatan), RashiShemot 24:1Shemot 24:10-11About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki,
"לֹא שָׁלַח יָדוֹ" – These sources understand the phrase to mean that Hashem did not send forth His hand to punish the elders, learning from this that they must have been deserving of death. They were granted a stay of execution only because Hashem did not want to ruin the happiness of the Giving of the Torah with the tragedy of their deaths.
"וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתּוּ" – These sources divide regarding whether the eating and drinking of this verse is literal1 or metaphoric,2 but all agree that it signified that the people did not have proper respect for the encounter with God. They either approached the revelation from literal food and drink, belittling the gravity of the experience, or treated Hashem as a friend before whom you are comfortable eating and drink rather than a king before whom you would not.
Seeing Hashem – Rashi

Flawed Perception

Due to insufficient preparation, the elders attained a flawed perception of God, deserving them death.

Sources:RambamMoreh Nevukhim 1:5About R. Moshe b. Maimon

Different levels  

The verses differentiate between two groups, one of which attained prophecy and merited to comprehend the Divine at a fairly high level, while the other received only a very low level of or no prophecy at all.

Sources:Akeidat YitzchakShemot Peirush 24About R. Yitzchak Arama, AbarbanelShemot 24:1About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, R. Avraham SabaTzeror HaMor Shemot 24:11About R. Avraham Saba (Tzeror HaMor), HaKetav VeHaKabbalahShemot 11Shemot 24:11About R. Yaakov Mecklenburg
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