Difference between revisions of "Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Kedoshim/0/en"
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<li>What textual support might be brought for each position? See <a href="Giving One's Seed to Molekh" data-aht="page">Giving One's Seed to Molekh</a>.</li> | <li>What textual support might be brought for each position? See <a href="Giving One's Seed to Molekh" data-aht="page">Giving One's Seed to Molekh</a>.</li> | ||
<li>Though the Torah prohibits intermarriage with the seven Canaanite nations, it nowhere, except for perhaps here, 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, except for perhaps here, 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> | ||
| + | </category> | ||
| + | <category>The Laws of Hybrids | ||
| + | <p>The laws of hybrids (כלאים) are often brought as the classic example of a law whose purpose is not self-evident and inherently logical. Commentators, nonetheless, attempt to explain the reasoning behind the various commandments.</p> | ||
| + | <ul> | ||
| + | <li>Rashbam maintains that the laws serve to preserve the natural order instituted by Hashem, in which every plant and animal was created according to its own kind. Why, though, is it problematic if this order is disrupted? Is man not allowed to move beyond creation, and attempt to improve the world?  What might Rashbam say about genetic engineering?</li> | ||
| + | <li>Philo and Josephus, in contrast, suggest that the laws are meant to protect both the land and animals. Ploughing the land with animals of different strengths is not fair to the weaker animal, and planting diverse plant species exhausts the land. How, though, might this explanation understand the prohibition of wearing woll and linen?</li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
Version as of 22:04, 21 August 2019
Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Kedoshim
Is Intermarriage Biblically Prohibited?
In Vayikra 18:21 and 20:2-5 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 Giving One's Seed to Molekh.
- Though the Torah prohibits intermarriage with the seven Canaanite nations, it nowhere, except for perhaps here, explicitly legislates against marriage to other outsiders. How might this omission be understood, and how might it affect exegetes' reading of this passage?
The Laws of Hybrids
The laws of hybrids (כלאים) are often brought as the classic example of a law whose purpose is not self-evident and inherently logical. Commentators, nonetheless, attempt to explain the reasoning behind the various commandments.
- Rashbam maintains that the laws serve to preserve the natural order instituted by Hashem, in which every plant and animal was created according to its own kind. Why, though, is it problematic if this order is disrupted? Is man not allowed to move beyond creation, and attempt to improve the world? What might Rashbam say about genetic engineering?
- Philo and Josephus, in contrast, suggest that the laws are meant to protect both the land and animals. Ploughing the land with animals of different strengths is not fair to the weaker animal, and planting diverse plant species exhausts the land. How, though, might this explanation understand the prohibition of wearing woll and linen?
More...
For more, see: Parashat Kedoshim Topics.
