Difference between revisions of "Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Acharei Mot/0/he"
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<h1>נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת אחרי מות</h1> | <h1>נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת אחרי מות</h1> | ||
<category>Is Yom HaKippurim Really About Repentance? | <category>Is Yom HaKippurim Really About Repentance? | ||
| − | <p>In the time of the Beit HaMikdash, one of the eagerly anticipated rites of Yom HaKippurim was the dispatching to Azazel of a goat, laden with the nation's sins.  Who or what is Azazel, and why send it a goat?  See <a href="Why is the Goat Sent to Azazel" data-aht="page"> | + | <p>In the time of the Beit HaMikdash, one of the eagerly anticipated rites of Yom HaKippurim was the dispatching to Azazel of a goat, laden with the nation's sins.  Who or what is Azazel, and why send it a goat?  See <a href="Why is the Goat Sent to Azazel" data-aht="page">מדוע נשלח השעיר לעזאזל?</a></p> |
| − | <li>The verses juxtapose the name Azazel with that of Hashem, suggesting that the word is a proper noun, referring to a specific supernatural being.<fn>See <multilink><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer45" data-aht="source"> | + | <ul> |
| − | <li>If Azazel is, instead, the name of a location,<fn>See <multilink><a href="RSaadiaGaonTafsirVayikra16-10" data-aht="source"> | + | <li>The verses juxtapose the name Azazel with that of Hashem, suggesting that the word is a proper noun, referring to a specific supernatural being.<fn>See <multilink><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer45" data-aht="source">פרקי דרבי אליעזר</a><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer45" data-aht="source">מ"ה</a><a href="Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer" data-aht="parshan">אודות פרקי דרבי אליעזר</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="BereshitRabbatiBereshit6-2" data-aht="source">בראשית רבתי</a><a href="BereshitRabbatiBereshit6-2" data-aht="source">בראשית ו':ב'</a><a href="Bereshit Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">אודות בראשית רבתי</a></multilink> who understand the term in this manner.</fn>  If so, though, why offer it a goat; is it not prohibited to offer sacrifices to anyone other than Hashem?  Moreover, does the Torah believe in the existence of demonic powers?</li> |
| + | <li>If Azazel is, instead, the name of a location,<fn>See <multilink><a href="RSaadiaGaonTafsirVayikra16-10" data-aht="source">ר' סעדיה גאון</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonTafsirVayikra16-10" data-aht="source">תפסיר ויקרא ט"ז:י'</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' סעדיה גאון</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra16-8" data-aht="source">ר' יוסף בכור שור</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra16-8" data-aht="source">ויקרא ט"ז:ח'</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' יוסף בכור שור</a></multilink> who suggest this.</fn> what about this offering uniquely allows it to be brought outside the confines of the Mikdash? </li> | ||
<li>Either way, what is the purpose of the entire ceremony?  How does it relate to the other offerings of the day?  What role does it play in achieving atonement for sins, and how does it relate to the presumed need for the people to actually repent for their misdeeds?</li> | <li>Either way, what is the purpose of the entire ceremony?  How does it relate to the other offerings of the day?  What role does it play in achieving atonement for sins, and how does it relate to the presumed need for the people to actually repent for their misdeeds?</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
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<category name="Nadav and Avihu"> | <category name="Nadav and Avihu"> | ||
The Deaths of Nadav and Avihu | The Deaths of Nadav and Avihu | ||
| − | <p>Parashat Acharei Mot opens by referencing the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, who were consumed by heavenly fire after offering incense to Hashem.  What about their deed was so terrible to warrant such a severe punishment?  See <a href="Why Were Nadav and Avihu Killed" data-aht="page"> | + | <p>Parashat Acharei Mot opens by referencing the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, who were consumed by heavenly fire after offering incense to Hashem.  What about their deed was so terrible to warrant such a severe punishment?  See <a href="Why Were Nadav and Avihu Killed" data-aht="page">למה נהרגו נדב ואביהוא?</a></p><ul> |
| − | <li>Many<fn>See, for instance, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra10-1" data-aht="source"> | + | <li>Many<fn>See, for instance, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra10-1" data-aht="source">ר' יוסף בכור שור</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorVayikra10-1" data-aht="source">ויקרא י':א'</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' יוסף בכור שור</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="SefornoVayikra10-1" data-aht="source">ספורנו</a><a href="SefornoVayikra10-1" data-aht="source">ויקרא י':א'</a><a href="R. Ovadyah Seforno" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' עובדיה ספורנו</a></multilink>.</fn> suggest that even if the brothers had positive intentions, they were punished for violating proper protocol.  <multilink><a href="RSRHirschVayikra10-1" data-aht="source">רש"ר הירש</a><a href="RSRHirschVayikra10-1" data-aht="source">ויקרא י':א'</a><a href="R. Samson Raphael Hirsch" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' שמשון רפאל הירש</a></multilink>, thus, writes that though Nadav and Avihu desired to get close to Hashem, "in the sacrificial service there is no room for subjectivity... [closeness] will not be achieved except via listening to God".  What are the dangers of subjective worship?  Why might R. Hirsch, specifically, have been concerned about this?</li> |
| − | <li>According to <multilink><a href="RashbamVayikra10-1-2" data-aht="source"> | + | <li>According to <multilink><a href="RashbamVayikra10-1-2" data-aht="source">רשב"ם</a><a href="RashbamVayikra10-1-2" data-aht="source">ויקרא י':א'-ב'</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' שמואל בן מאיר</a></multilink>'s reading of the story,<fn>This is the general direction of his comments, though he is not completely explicit.</fn> it is possible that the deaths were not a punishment, but rather a "work accident".  According to this, Nadav and Avihu were in the wrong place at the wrong time and suffered the natural consequences. Are there "chance accidents", or must everything that occurs in the world be directly attributed to God and viewed in terms of reward and punishment?</li> |
<li>Mention of the brothers' deaths is used to introduce the laws of the Yom HaKippurim Service. What is the connection between the two? Does the service serve to correct the misdeed of Nadav and Avihu, or, alternatively, to prevent another such incident?  How so?</li> | <li>Mention of the brothers' deaths is used to introduce the laws of the Yom HaKippurim Service. What is the connection between the two? Does the service serve to correct the misdeed of Nadav and Avihu, or, alternatively, to prevent another such incident?  How so?</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category>Centralization of Worship | <category>Centralization of Worship | ||
| − | <p><a href="Vayikra17-1-5" data-aht="source"> | + | <p><a href="Vayikra17-1-5" data-aht="source">ויקרא י"ז</a> warns against bringing offerings outside of the Mishkan. </p><ul> |
<li>Why does Hashem find worship on private altars problematic? </li> | <li>Why does Hashem find worship on private altars problematic? </li> | ||
<li>What are the advantages and disadvantages of centralized worship?  How might one's service of Hashem differ if one needs to travel to the Mikdash to bring sacrifices, rather than offering them in one's backyard?</li> | <li>What are the advantages and disadvantages of centralized worship?  How might one's service of Hashem differ if one needs to travel to the Mikdash to bring sacrifices, rather than offering them in one's backyard?</li> | ||
| − | <li>During which periods in Israelite history were sacrifices prohibited outside of the Mikdash?  <a href="Devarim12-1-11" data-aht="source"> | + | <li>During which periods in Israelite history were sacrifices prohibited outside of the Mikdash?  <a href="Devarim12-1-11" data-aht="source">דברים י"ב</a> suggests two conditions for the prohibition, inheritance of Canaan and security from enemies. What is the relationship between the two? What light does this shed on the possible understandings of the commandment?  See <a href="When Were Private Altars Prohibited" data-aht="page">מתי נאסרו במות?</a></li> |
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category>Is Intermarriage Biblically Prohibited? | <category>Is Intermarriage Biblically Prohibited? | ||
| − | <p>In <a href="Vayikra18-21" data-aht="source"> | + | <p>In <a href="Vayikra18-21" data-aht="source">ויקרא י"ח:כ"א</a> and <a href="Vayikra20-2-5" data-aht="source">כ':ב'-ה'</a>, the Torah commands not to give of one's seed to the Molekh.  What does the violation of this prohibition entail?  Some commentators assume that the verse refers to an idolatrous rite, such as child immolation or consecration, while others connect it to sexual offenses, such as relations or marriage to a non-Jew.</p><ul> |
| − | <li>What textual support might be brought for each position?  See <a href="Giving One's Seed to Molekh" data-aht="page"> | + | <li>What textual support might be brought for each position?  See <a href="Giving One's Seed to Molekh" data-aht="page">נתינת זרע למולך</a>.</li> |
<li>Though the Torah prohibits intermarriage with the seven Canaanite nations, it nowhere explicitly legislates against marriage to other outsiders.  How might this omission be understood, and how might it affect exegetes' reading of this passage?</li> | <li>Though the Torah prohibits intermarriage with the seven Canaanite nations, it nowhere explicitly legislates against marriage to other outsiders.  How might this omission be understood, and how might it affect exegetes' reading of this passage?</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
Version as of 04:22, 22 August 2019
נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת אחרי מות
Is Yom HaKippurim Really About Repentance?
In the time of the Beit HaMikdash, one of the eagerly anticipated rites of Yom HaKippurim was the dispatching to Azazel of a goat, laden with the nation's sins. Who or what is Azazel, and why send it a goat? See מדוע נשלח השעיר לעזאזל?
- The verses juxtapose the name Azazel with that of Hashem, suggesting that the word is a proper noun, referring to a specific supernatural being.1 If so, though, why offer it a goat; is it not prohibited to offer sacrifices to anyone other than Hashem? Moreover, does the Torah believe in the existence of demonic powers?
- If Azazel is, instead, the name of a location,2 what about this offering uniquely allows it to be brought outside the confines of the Mikdash?
- Either way, what is the purpose of the entire ceremony? How does it relate to the other offerings of the day? What role does it play in achieving atonement for sins, and how does it relate to the presumed need for the people to actually repent for their misdeeds?
The Deaths of Nadav and Avihu
Parashat Acharei Mot opens by referencing the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, who were consumed by heavenly fire after offering incense to Hashem. What about their deed was so terrible to warrant such a severe punishment? See למה נהרגו נדב ואביהוא?
- Many3 suggest that even if the brothers had positive intentions, they were punished for violating proper protocol. רש"ר הירש, thus, writes that though Nadav and Avihu desired to get close to Hashem, "in the sacrificial service there is no room for subjectivity... [closeness] will not be achieved except via listening to God". What are the dangers of subjective worship? Why might R. Hirsch, specifically, have been concerned about this?
- According to רשב"ם's reading of the story,4 it is possible that the deaths were not a punishment, but rather a "work accident". According to this, Nadav and Avihu were in the wrong place at the wrong time and suffered the natural consequences. Are there "chance accidents", or must everything that occurs in the world be directly attributed to God and viewed in terms of reward and punishment?
- Mention of the brothers' deaths is used to introduce the laws of the Yom HaKippurim Service. What is the connection between the two? Does the service serve to correct the misdeed of Nadav and Avihu, or, alternatively, to prevent another such incident? How so?
Centralization of Worship
ויקרא י"ז warns against bringing offerings outside of the Mishkan.
- Why does Hashem find worship on private altars problematic?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of centralized worship? How might one's service of Hashem differ if one needs to travel to the Mikdash to bring sacrifices, rather than offering them in one's backyard?
- During which periods in Israelite history were sacrifices prohibited outside of the Mikdash? דברים י"ב suggests two conditions for the prohibition, inheritance of Canaan and security from enemies. What is the relationship between the two? What light does this shed on the possible understandings of the commandment? See מתי נאסרו במות?
Is Intermarriage Biblically Prohibited?
In ויקרא י"ח:כ"א and כ':ב'-ה', the Torah commands not to give of one's seed to the Molekh. What does the violation of this prohibition entail? Some commentators assume that the verse refers to an idolatrous rite, such as child immolation or consecration, while others connect it to sexual offenses, such as relations or marriage to a non-Jew.
- What textual support might be brought for each position? See נתינת זרע למולך.
- Though the Torah prohibits intermarriage with the seven Canaanite nations, it nowhere explicitly legislates against marriage to other outsiders. How might this omission be understood, and how might it affect exegetes' reading of this passage?
More...
For more, see: Parashat Acharei Mot Topics.
