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

From AlHaTorah.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 3: Line 3:
 
<page type="Basic">
 
<page type="Basic">
 
<h1>נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת חקת</h1>
 
<h1>נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת חקת</h1>
<category name="Obedient or Independent?">
+
<category>נביאים גדולים: צייתנים או עצמאיים?
Great Prophets: Obedient or Independent?
+
<p>Which prophet is at a higher level: one who simply follows Divine orders, or one who takes initiatives without prior consultation with Hashem?</p>
<p>Which prophet is at a higher level: one who simply follows Divine orders, or one who takes initiatives without prior consultation with Hashem?</p><ul>
+
<ul>
 
<li>In trying to uncover&#160;<a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a> at Mei Merivah,&#160;<multilink><a href="RYosefAlboSeferHaIkkarim4-22" data-aht="source">ספר העיקרים</a><a href="RYosefAlboSeferHaIkkarim4-22" data-aht="source">ר' יוסף אלבו, ספר העיקרים ד':כ"ב</a><a href="Sefer HaIkkarim" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' יוסף אלבו</a></multilink> points to their running to the Tent of Meeting to consult with Hashem rather than immediately quelling the nation's murmurings by invoking a miracle on their own. He claims that this caused a lack of faith in one of the central tenets of Torah, a prophet's power to act above nature.&#160;</li>
 
<li>In trying to uncover&#160;<a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a> at Mei Merivah,&#160;<multilink><a href="RYosefAlboSeferHaIkkarim4-22" data-aht="source">ספר העיקרים</a><a href="RYosefAlboSeferHaIkkarim4-22" data-aht="source">ר' יוסף אלבו, ספר העיקרים ד':כ"ב</a><a href="Sefer HaIkkarim" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' יוסף אלבו</a></multilink> points to their running to the Tent of Meeting to consult with Hashem rather than immediately quelling the nation's murmurings by invoking a miracle on their own. He claims that this caused a lack of faith in one of the central tenets of Torah, a prophet's power to act above nature.&#160;</li>
 
<li>What in the text supports this suggestion? Do you agree that going to the Tent of Meeting was problematic?&#160; When is consultation the appropriate response to crisis?&#160; When is it preferable to take matters into your own hands?&#160;</li>
 
<li>What in the text supports this suggestion? Do you agree that going to the Tent of Meeting was problematic?&#160; When is consultation the appropriate response to crisis?&#160; When is it preferable to take matters into your own hands?&#160;</li>
 
<li>Can a prophet really bring a miracle on his or her own?&#160; What examples from Tanakh might suggest that they can? Are all prophets equal in this regard?&#160;</li>
 
<li>Can a prophet really bring a miracle on his or her own?&#160; What examples from Tanakh might suggest that they can? Are all prophets equal in this regard?&#160;</li>
</ul><p>For elaboration see <a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a>,&#160;<a href="Prophetic Actions Without Explicit Divine Sanction" data-aht="page">מעשי נביאים בלי צו מפורש מאת ה'</a>, and the opinion of Abarbanel in <a href="Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders" data-aht="page">ייחודו של משה – האותות והמופתים</a>.</p>
+
</ul>
 +
<p>להרחבה, ראו&#160;<a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a>,&#160;<a href="Prophetic Actions Without Explicit Divine Sanction" data-aht="page">מעשי נביאים בלי צו מפורש מאת ה'</a>, ושיטת אברבנאל ב<a href="Moshe's Epitaph – Signs and Wonders" data-aht="page">ייחודו של משה – האותות והמופתים</a>.</p>
 
</category>
 
</category>
<category>Sichon and Og: Telling and Retelling
+
<category>סיחון ועוג: Telling and Retelling
<p>The original description of the conquest of Sichon and Og in Bemidbar differs markedly from Moshe's retelling in Devarim.&#160; See <a href="Battles with Sichon and Og in Bemidbar and Devarim" data-aht="page">מלחמות עם סיחון ועוג בבמדבר ובדברים</a>.</p><ul>
+
<p>The original description of the conquest of Sichon and Og in Bemidbar differs markedly from Moshe's retelling in Devarim.&#160; ראו <a href="Battles with Sichon and Og in Bemidbar and Devarim" data-aht="page">מלחמות עם סיחון ועוג בבמדבר ובדברים</a>.</p>
 +
<ul>
 
<li>Compare the two accounts and list the differences.&#160; Which points appear only in Bemidbar? What details are highlighted in Devarim?&#160; What message might Moshe be trying to relay to the nation in Sefer Devarim which prompts him to retell the story in the way that he does?</li>
 
<li>Compare the two accounts and list the differences.&#160; Which points appear only in Bemidbar? What details are highlighted in Devarim?&#160; What message might Moshe be trying to relay to the nation in Sefer Devarim which prompts him to retell the story in the way that he does?</li>
<li>How does Moshe's message in recounting the battle of Sichon relate to the overall objectives of his historical speech in the opening chapters of Sefer Devarim and especially to his retelling of the debacle of the Spies?<fn>For a comparison of the story of the spies in Bemidbar and Devarim and how the differences shed light on Moshe's messages to the new generation, see <a href="The Story of the Spies in Bemidbar and Devarim" data-aht="page">סיפור המרגלים בבמדבר ובדברים</a>.</fn></li>
+
<li>How does Moshe's message in recounting the battle of Sichon relate to the overall objectives of his historical speech in the opening chapters of Sefer Devarim and especially to his retelling of the debacle of the Spies?<fn>להשוואה בין סיפור המרגלים בבמדבר ודברים וכיצד ההבדלים שופכים אור על המסרים של משה לדור החדש, ראו <a href="The Story of the Spies in Bemidbar and Devarim" data-aht="page">סיפור המרגלים בבמדבר ובדברים</a>.</fn></li>
<li>Is it problematic to say that Moshe intentionally recasts history to promote an agenda? </li>
+
<li>Is it problematic to say that Moshe intentionally recasts history to promote an agenda?</li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</category>
 
</category>
<category>Criticizing Moshe
+
<category>מתיחת ביקורת על משה
<p>Commentators mine almost every word of the story of Moshe hitting the rock in&#160;<a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a> to establish where he erred and why he was punished so severely.&#160; Thus, Moshe is accused of everything from lack of faith (<multilink><a href="RashbamBemidbar20-10" data-aht="source">רשב"ם</a><a href="RashbamBemidbar20-10" data-aht="source">במדבר כ':י'</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' שמואל בן מאיר</a></multilink>) to excessive anger (<multilink><a href="RambamShemonahPerakimChapter4" data-aht="source">רמב"ם</a><a href="RambamShemonahPerakimChapter4" data-aht="source">שמונה פרקים פרק ד'</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' משה בן מיימון</a></multilink>) and faulty leadership (<multilink><a href="AvvatNefeshCommentaryonIbnEzraBemidbar20-8" data-aht="source">Avvat Nefesh</a><a href="AvvatNefeshCommentaryonIbnEzraBemidbar20-8" data-aht="source">אוות נפש, פירוש על ראב"ע במדבר כ':ח' (מוגה ע"פ ציטוט חלקי בפירוש שד"ל)</a></multilink>).&#160;&#160;<multilink><a href="RashiBemidbar20-11-12" data-aht="source">רש"י</a><a href="RashiBemidbar20-11-12" data-aht="source">במדבר כ':י"א-י"ב</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' שלמה יצחקי</a></multilink> and others further blame him for not sanctifying Hashem's name and causing the nation to doubt Hashem's capabilities.</p><ul>
+
<p>Commentators mine almost every word of the story of Moshe hitting the rock in&#160;<a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a> to establish where he erred and why he was punished so severely.&#160; Thus, Moshe is accused of הכל מחוסר אמונה (<multilink><a href="RashbamBemidbar20-10" data-aht="source">רשב"ם</a><a href="RashbamBemidbar20-10" data-aht="source">במדבר כ':י'</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' שמואל בן מאיר</a></multilink>) to excessive anger (<multilink><a href="RambamShemonahPerakimChapter4" data-aht="source">רמב"ם</a><a href="RambamShemonahPerakimChapter4" data-aht="source">שמונה פרקים פרק ד'</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Maimon (Rambam, Maimonides)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' משה בן מיימון</a></multilink>) and faulty leadership (<multilink><a href="AvvatNefeshCommentaryonIbnEzraBemidbar20-8" data-aht="source">אוות נפש</a><a href="AvvatNefeshCommentaryonIbnEzraBemidbar20-8" data-aht="source">אוות נפש, פירוש על ראב"ע במדבר כ':ח' (מוגה ע"פ ציטוט חלקי בפירוש שד"ל)</a></multilink>).&#160;&#160;<multilink><a href="RashiBemidbar20-11-12" data-aht="source">רש"י</a><a href="RashiBemidbar20-11-12" data-aht="source">במדבר כ':י"א-י"ב</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">אודות ר' שלמה יצחקי</a></multilink> ואחרים further blame him for not sanctifying Hashem's name and causing the nation to doubt Hashem's capabilities.</p>
 +
<ul>
 
<li>Bring evidence to support each of the above possibilities.&#160; Which is most compelling and why?&#160; Which of the proposed sins would warrant the harsh punishment received by Moshe?</li>
 
<li>Bring evidence to support each of the above possibilities.&#160; Which is most compelling and why?&#160; Which of the proposed sins would warrant the harsh punishment received by Moshe?</li>
 
<li>Does Moshe elsewhere manifest any of the above problematic traits?&#160; Why was he not punished in those instances?</li>
 
<li>Does Moshe elsewhere manifest any of the above problematic traits?&#160; Why was he not punished in those instances?</li>
<li>Though the chapter clearly testifies to Moshe's having erred, is it problematic to suggest specific criticisms of Moshe's leadership which the text does not make explicit?&#160; Should we place Moshe on a pedestal and attempt to explain away any perceived fault, or is it legitimate to attribute to him some human failings?<fn>Some similar issues come up in the study of the stories of the Avot.&#160; See for example: <a href="Endangering Sarai in Egypt" data-aht="page">הכנסת שרי לסכנה במצרים</a>, <a href="Banishment of Hagar and Yishmael" data-aht="page">גירוש הגר וישמעאל</a>, <a href="Sale of the Birthright – A Fair Deal" data-aht="page">מכירת הבכורה – עסקה הוגנת?</a>, and <a href="Yaakov's Taking of the Blessing" data-aht="page">Yaakov's Taking of the Blessing</a>.</fn></li>
+
<li>Though the chapter clearly testifies to Moshe's having erred, is it problematic to suggest specific criticisms of Moshe's leadership which the text does not make explicit?&#160; Should we place Moshe on a pedestal and attempt to explain away any perceived fault, or is it legitimate to attribute to him some human failings?<fn>כמה סוגיות דומות עולות בלימוד סיפורי אבות. ראו למשל: <a href="Endangering Sarai in Egypt" data-aht="page">הכנסת שרי לסכנה במצרים</a>, <a href="Banishment of Hagar and Yishmael" data-aht="page">גירוש הגר וישמעאל</a>, <a href="Sale of the Birthright – A Fair Deal" data-aht="page">מכירת הבכורה – עסקה הוגנת?</a>, ו<a href="Yaakov's Taking of the Blessing" data-aht="page">לקיחת יעקב את הברכה</a>.</fn></li>
</ul><p>See <a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a> for further discussion.</p>
+
</ul>
 +
<p>להרחבה, ראו&#160;<a href="Moshe's Misstep and Mei Merivah" data-aht="page">חטא משה ומי מריבה</a>.</p>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>עוד...
 
<category>עוד...

Version as of 10:16, 27 August 2019

נושאים לשולחן שבת – פרשת חקת

נביאים גדולים: צייתנים או עצמאיים?

Which prophet is at a higher level: one who simply follows Divine orders, or one who takes initiatives without prior consultation with Hashem?

  • In trying to uncover חטא משה ומי מריבה at Mei Merivah, ספר העיקריםר' יוסף אלבו, ספר העיקרים ד':כ"באודות ר' יוסף אלבו points to their running to the Tent of Meeting to consult with Hashem rather than immediately quelling the nation's murmurings by invoking a miracle on their own. He claims that this caused a lack of faith in one of the central tenets of Torah, a prophet's power to act above nature. 
  • What in the text supports this suggestion? Do you agree that going to the Tent of Meeting was problematic?  When is consultation the appropriate response to crisis?  When is it preferable to take matters into your own hands? 
  • Can a prophet really bring a miracle on his or her own?  What examples from Tanakh might suggest that they can? Are all prophets equal in this regard? 

להרחבה, ראו חטא משה ומי מריבהמעשי נביאים בלי צו מפורש מאת ה', ושיטת אברבנאל בייחודו של משה – האותות והמופתים.

סיחון ועוג: Telling and Retelling

The original description of the conquest of Sichon and Og in Bemidbar differs markedly from Moshe's retelling in Devarim.  ראו מלחמות עם סיחון ועוג בבמדבר ובדברים.

  • Compare the two accounts and list the differences.  Which points appear only in Bemidbar? What details are highlighted in Devarim?  What message might Moshe be trying to relay to the nation in Sefer Devarim which prompts him to retell the story in the way that he does?
  • How does Moshe's message in recounting the battle of Sichon relate to the overall objectives of his historical speech in the opening chapters of Sefer Devarim and especially to his retelling of the debacle of the Spies?1
  • Is it problematic to say that Moshe intentionally recasts history to promote an agenda?

מתיחת ביקורת על משה

Commentators mine almost every word of the story of Moshe hitting the rock in חטא משה ומי מריבה to establish where he erred and why he was punished so severely.  Thus, Moshe is accused of הכל מחוסר אמונה (רשב"םבמדבר כ':י'אודות ר' שמואל בן מאיר) to excessive anger (רמב"םשמונה פרקים פרק ד'אודות ר' משה בן מיימון) and faulty leadership (אוות נפשאוות נפש, פירוש על ראב"ע במדבר כ':ח' (מוגה ע"פ ציטוט חלקי בפירוש שד"ל)).  רש"יבמדבר כ':י"א-י"באודות ר' שלמה יצחקי ואחרים further blame him for not sanctifying Hashem's name and causing the nation to doubt Hashem's capabilities.

  • Bring evidence to support each of the above possibilities.  Which is most compelling and why?  Which of the proposed sins would warrant the harsh punishment received by Moshe?
  • Does Moshe elsewhere manifest any of the above problematic traits?  Why was he not punished in those instances?
  • Though the chapter clearly testifies to Moshe's having erred, is it problematic to suggest specific criticisms of Moshe's leadership which the text does not make explicit?  Should we place Moshe on a pedestal and attempt to explain away any perceived fault, or is it legitimate to attribute to him some human failings?2

להרחבה, ראו חטא משה ומי מריבה.

עוד...

לעוד נושאים בפרשה, ראו: רשימת נושאים – פרשת חקת.