Difference between revisions of "Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Bo/0/he"

From AlHaTorah.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 4: Line 4:
 
<h1>נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת בא</h1>
 
<h1>נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת בא</h1>
 
<category>Do Two Wrongs Make a Right?
 
<category>Do Two Wrongs Make a Right?
<p>Twice in the early chapters of Shemot, Hashem seems to command the nation to deceive Paroh and/or the Egyptians.&#160; Hashem tells Moshe to ask Paroh for only a three day furlough in the Wilderness, while His real intent is for them to leave for good.&#160; Later, he instructs the nation to request items of gold and silver from their Egyptian neighbors even though the objects are not to be returned.</p><ul>
+
<p>Twice in the early chapters of Shemot, Hashem seems to command the nation to deceive Paroh and/or the Egyptians.&#160; Hashem tells Moshe to ask Paroh for only a three day furlough in the Wilderness, while His real intent is for them to leave for good.&#160; Later, he instructs the nation to request items of gold and silver from their Egyptian neighbors even though the objects are not to be returned.</p>
<li>Why isn't Hashem upfront with Paroh about His plans? What was gained by requesting just a short holiday? And finally, was Paroh really duped? Attempt to bring evidence in both directions, and see <a href="A Three Day Journey" data-aht="page">A Three Day Journey?</a></li>
+
<ul>
<li>When the Egyptians gave of their vessels, did they intend them as loans, anticipating that the Israelites would be returning, or as outright gifts knowing full well that the Israelites were leaving forever? If the latter, should the Israelites' actions be considered theft?&#160; See <a href="Reparations and Despoiling Egypt" data-aht="page">Reparations and Despoiling Egypt</a>.</li>
+
<li>Why isn't Hashem upfront with Paroh about His plans? What was gained by requesting just a short holiday? And finally, was Paroh really duped? Attempt to bring evidence in both directions, וראו <a href="A Three Day Journey" data-aht="page">"דרך שלשת ימים"?</a></li>
 +
<li>When the Egyptians gave of their vessels, did they intend them as loans, anticipating that the Israelites would be returning, or as outright gifts knowing full well that the Israelites were leaving forever? If the latter, should the Israelites' actions be considered theft?&#160; ראו <a href="Reparations and Despoiling Egypt" data-aht="page">פיצויים לעבדות וניצול מצרים</a>.</li>
 
<li>In each of the above cases, was the duplicity justified?&#160; Why or why not? In general, when is deception of the enemy allowed?&#160; Does the fact that one was unjustly treated permit dishonesty in return?</li>
 
<li>In each of the above cases, was the duplicity justified?&#160; Why or why not? In general, when is deception of the enemy allowed?&#160; Does the fact that one was unjustly treated permit dishonesty in return?</li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>Mitzvot for the Masses?
 
<category>Mitzvot for the Masses?
<p>Is it possible that certain commandments were given only because of the misguided beliefs of the masses?</p><ul>
+
<p>Is it possible that certain commandments were given only because of the misguided beliefs of the masses?</p>
<li><multilink><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot4-25" data-aht="source">Ibn Kaspi </a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot4-25" data-aht="source">Shemot 4:25</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot12-13" data-aht="source">Shemot 12:13</a><a href="R. Yosef ibn Kaspi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi</a></multilink>posits that the blood of the Pesach which was smeared on the doorposts had no effect on either Hashem or the destroying angel, but was intended merely to allay the fears of the Israelite masses.&#160; The people (erroneously) believed that blood was a panacea to allay tension, and so Hashem went along with their perception so as to prevent panic during the Plague of the Firstborns.&#160; For elaboration and other understandings of the ritual, see&#160;<a href="Purpose of the Pesach" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Pesach</a>.<fn>See his similar explanation of Tzipporah's drawing blood at <a href="Mystery at the Malon" data-aht="page">Mystery at the Malon</a>.</fn></li>
+
<ul>
<li>For other examples where commentators make similar claims, see Shadal regarding impurity in&#160;<a href="Tzara'at" data-aht="page">Tzara'at</a> and the "evil eye" in <a href="Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle" data-aht="page">Half Shekels For Census or Tabernacle</a>, and Rambam's understanding of the <a href="Purpose of the Sacrifices" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Sacrifices</a>.</li>
+
<li><multilink><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot4-25" data-aht="source">ר' יוסף אבן כספי</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot4-25" data-aht="source">שמות ד':כ"ה</a><a href="RYosefibnKaspiShemot12-13" data-aht="source">שמות י"ב:י"ג</a><a href="R. Yosef ibn Kaspi" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' יוסף אבן כספי</a></multilink> posits that the blood of the Pesach which was smeared on the doorposts had no effect on either Hashem or the destroying angel, but was intended merely to allay the fears of the Israelite masses.&#160; The people (erroneously) believed that blood was a panacea to allay tension, and so Hashem went along with their perception so as to prevent panic during מכת בכורות.&#160; להרחבה והבנות נוספות של הטקס, ראו <a href="Purpose of the Pesach" data-aht="page">מטרת פסח מצרים</a>.<fn>ראו הסברו הדומה להקזת דם על ידי ציפורה ב<a href="Mystery at the Malon" data-aht="page">תעלומת סיפור המלון</a>.</fn></li>
 +
<li>לדוגמאות נוספות בהן פרשנים מציעים עמדות דומות, ראו ביאורי שד"ל על טומאת <a href="Tzara'at" data-aht="page">צרעת</a> ועל "עין הרע" ו<a href="Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle" data-aht="page">מחצית השקל למניין או למשכן?</a>, והבנת רמב"ם לגבי <a href="Purpose of the Sacrifices" data-aht="page">מטרת הקרבנות</a>.</li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>Prophetic Autonomy
 
<category>Prophetic Autonomy
<p>In two instances in Parashat Bo, Moshe speaks in the name of Hashem and invokes Divine authority, even though there is no previous record of Hashem having communicated the particular content.&#160; In <a href="Shemot10-1-6" data-aht="source">Chapter 10</a>, Moshe confronts Paroh on Hashem's command, but, seemingly on his own initiative, announces the Plague of Locusts in God's name.&#160; Similarly, in <a href="Shemot11-1-8" data-aht="source">Chapter 11</a>, though Hashem tells Moshe that there will be one final plague, it is Moshe himself who first announces in God's name that this plague will kill the firstborns.</p><ul>
+
<p>In two instances in Parashat Bo, Moshe speaks in the name of Hashem and invokes Divine authority, even though there is no previous record of Hashem having communicated the particular content.&#160; ב<a href="Shemot10-1-6" data-aht="source">פרק י'</a>, Moshe confronts Paroh on Hashem's command, but, seemingly on his own initiative, announces the Plague of Locusts in God's name.&#160; בדומה, ב<a href="Shemot11-1-8" data-aht="source">פרק י"א</a>, though Hashem tells Moshe that there will be one final plague, it is Moshe himself who first announces in God's name that this plague will kill the firstborns.</p>
 +
<ul>
 
<li>Is it possible for a prophet to speak on his own initiative and to then attribute that speech back to Hashem?&#160; Or need one assume that, despite the textual silence, Hashem must have given the directions beforehand?</li>
 
<li>Is it possible for a prophet to speak on his own initiative and to then attribute that speech back to Hashem?&#160; Or need one assume that, despite the textual silence, Hashem must have given the directions beforehand?</li>
<li>How much autonomy does a prophet have?&#160; Is he simply Hashem's mouthpiece, or is he allowed to act on his own?&#160; If the latter, is it possible for a prophet to make a mistake?&#160; See <a href="Invoking Hashem's Name Without Explicit Divine Sanction" data-aht="page">Invoking Hashem's Name Without Explicit Divine Sanction</a>.</li>
+
<li>How much autonomy does a prophet have?&#160; Is he simply Hashem's mouthpiece, or is he allowed to act on his own?&#160; If the latter, is it possible for a prophet to make a mistake?&#160; ראו <a href="Invoking Hashem's Name Without Explicit Divine Sanction" data-aht="page">פעילות בשם ה' ללא צו מפורש של ה'</a>.</li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>The Israelites' Religious Identity in Egypt
 
<category>The Israelites' Religious Identity in Egypt
<p>According to several commentators,<fn>For two examples, see <multilink><a href="ShemotRabbah16-2" data-aht="source">Shemot Rabbah</a><a href="ShemotRabbah16-2" data-aht="source">16:2</a><a href="Shemot Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shemot Rabbah</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="BemidbarRabbahNaso13" data-aht="source">Bemidbar Rabbah</a><a href="BemidbarRabbahNaso13" data-aht="source">Naso 13</a><a href="Bemidbar Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bemidbar Rabbah</a></multilink>.</fn> the slaughtering of the Pesach&#160;symbolized the Israelite rejection of Egyptian idolatry.&#160; This position assumes that the Israelites had assimilated in Egypt and needed to demonstrate their loyalty to God in order to merit redemption (see <a href="Purpose of the Pesach" data-aht="page">Purpose of the Pesach</a>).</p><ul>
+
<p>According to several commentators,<fn>לשתי דוגמאות, ראו <multilink><a href="ShemotRabbah16-2" data-aht="source">שמות רבה</a><a href="ShemotRabbah16-2" data-aht="source">ט"ז:ב'</a><a href="Shemot Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">אודות שמות רבה</a></multilink> ו<multilink><a href="BemidbarRabbahNaso13" data-aht="source">במדבר רבה</a><a href="BemidbarRabbahNaso13" data-aht="source">נשא י"ג</a><a href="Bemidbar Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">אודות במדבר רבה</a></multilink>.</fn> the slaughtering of the Pesach&#160;symbolized the Israelite rejection of Egyptian idolatry.&#160; This position assumes that the Israelites had assimilated in Egypt and needed to demonstrate their loyalty to God in order to merit redemption (ראו <a href="Purpose of the Pesach" data-aht="page">מטרת פסח מצרים</a>).</p>
<li>Is there any evidence in Shemot to support the claim that the Israelites had forsaken Hashem and adopted foreign gods? What was the Israelites' <a href="Religious Identity in Egypt" data-aht="page">Religious Identity in Egypt</a>?</li>
+
<ul>
<li>What does it mean to be "religious" in an era before the Torah was given?&#160; Was there anything (beyond monotheism) that would have marked the Israelites as distinct from their Egyptian neighbors?<fn>For a related issue, explore whether the Avot kept the mitzvot at <a href="Avot and Mitzvot – Was Avraham the First Jew" data-aht="page">Avot and Mitzvot – Was Avraham the First Jew?</a>.</fn></li>
+
<li>Is there any evidence in Shemot to support the claim that the Israelites had forsaken Hashem and adopted foreign gods? מה היה <a href="Religious Identity in Egypt" data-aht="page">זהותם הדתית של בני ישראל במצרים</a>?</li>
 +
<li>What does it mean to be "religious" in an era before the Torah was given?&#160; Was there anything (beyond monotheism) that would have marked the Israelites as distinct from their Egyptian neighbors?<fn>עיינו <a href="Avot and Mitzvot – Was Avraham the First Jew" data-aht="page">אבות ומצוות</a> לדיון בשאלה האם האבות שמרו מצוות בכלל.</fn></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>The Reparations Debate
 
<category>The Reparations Debate
<p>Many explain that the Egyptians gave gold and silver vessels to the Israelites prior to their leaving Egypt as compensation for years of enslavement.&#160;</p><ul>
+
<p>Many explain that the Egyptians gave gold and silver vessels to the Israelites prior to their leaving Egypt as compensation for years of enslavement.&#160;</p>
 +
<ul>
 
<li>If you were living in Egypt at the time, would you be willing to accept such reparations?</li>
 
<li>If you were living in Egypt at the time, would you be willing to accept such reparations?</li>
<li>Compare with the debates which raged in Israel in the early 1950s over the propriety of requesting and accepting West German reparations. See the Oznayim LaTorah in&#160;<a href="Reparations and Despoiling Egypt" data-aht="page">Reparations and Despoiling Egypt</a> for more.</li>
+
<li>Compare with the debates which raged in Israel in the early 1950s over the propriety of requesting and accepting West German reparations. לעוד, ראו דברי בעל האזנים לתורה ב<a href="Reparations and Despoiling Egypt" data-aht="page">פיצויים לעבדות וניצול מצרים</a>.</li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</category>
 
</category>

Version as of 05:33, 16 August 2019

נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת בא

Do Two Wrongs Make a Right?

Twice in the early chapters of Shemot, Hashem seems to command the nation to deceive Paroh and/or the Egyptians.  Hashem tells Moshe to ask Paroh for only a three day furlough in the Wilderness, while His real intent is for them to leave for good.  Later, he instructs the nation to request items of gold and silver from their Egyptian neighbors even though the objects are not to be returned.

  • Why isn't Hashem upfront with Paroh about His plans? What was gained by requesting just a short holiday? And finally, was Paroh really duped? Attempt to bring evidence in both directions, וראו "דרך שלשת ימים"?
  • When the Egyptians gave of their vessels, did they intend them as loans, anticipating that the Israelites would be returning, or as outright gifts knowing full well that the Israelites were leaving forever? If the latter, should the Israelites' actions be considered theft?  ראו פיצויים לעבדות וניצול מצרים.
  • In each of the above cases, was the duplicity justified?  Why or why not? In general, when is deception of the enemy allowed?  Does the fact that one was unjustly treated permit dishonesty in return?

Mitzvot for the Masses?

Is it possible that certain commandments were given only because of the misguided beliefs of the masses?

Prophetic Autonomy

In two instances in Parashat Bo, Moshe speaks in the name of Hashem and invokes Divine authority, even though there is no previous record of Hashem having communicated the particular content.  בפרק י', Moshe confronts Paroh on Hashem's command, but, seemingly on his own initiative, announces the Plague of Locusts in God's name.  בדומה, בפרק י"א, though Hashem tells Moshe that there will be one final plague, it is Moshe himself who first announces in God's name that this plague will kill the firstborns.

  • Is it possible for a prophet to speak on his own initiative and to then attribute that speech back to Hashem?  Or need one assume that, despite the textual silence, Hashem must have given the directions beforehand?
  • How much autonomy does a prophet have?  Is he simply Hashem's mouthpiece, or is he allowed to act on his own?  If the latter, is it possible for a prophet to make a mistake?  ראו פעילות בשם ה' ללא צו מפורש של ה'.

The Israelites' Religious Identity in Egypt

According to several commentators,2 the slaughtering of the Pesach symbolized the Israelite rejection of Egyptian idolatry.  This position assumes that the Israelites had assimilated in Egypt and needed to demonstrate their loyalty to God in order to merit redemption (ראו מטרת פסח מצרים).

  • Is there any evidence in Shemot to support the claim that the Israelites had forsaken Hashem and adopted foreign gods? מה היה זהותם הדתית של בני ישראל במצרים?
  • What does it mean to be "religious" in an era before the Torah was given?  Was there anything (beyond monotheism) that would have marked the Israelites as distinct from their Egyptian neighbors?3

The Reparations Debate

Many explain that the Egyptians gave gold and silver vessels to the Israelites prior to their leaving Egypt as compensation for years of enslavement. 

  • If you were living in Egypt at the time, would you be willing to accept such reparations?
  • Compare with the debates which raged in Israel in the early 1950s over the propriety of requesting and accepting West German reparations. לעוד, ראו דברי בעל האזנים לתורה בפיצויים לעבדות וניצול מצרים.

More...

For more, see: Parashat Bo Topics.