Tamar's Plea – כִּי לֹא יִמְנָעֵנִי מִמֶּךָּ/2

Tamar's Plea

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Truth

Tamar was speaking the truth as there was no legal impediment to her marrying Amnon.

Sources:Rav in Bavli SanhedrinSanhedrin 21aAbout the Bavli, RashiShemuel II 13:1Shemuel II 13:13About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, Attributed to R. Yosef KaraShemuel II 13:2About Attributed to R. Yosef Kara, TosafotSanhedrin 21aAbout Ba'alei HaTosafot, RadakShemuel II 13:1About R. David Kimchi, RidShemuel II 13:1-2About R. Yeshayah of Trani, RalbagShemuel II 13:12Shemuel II Toalot 13:13About R. Levi b. Gershom

Relationship to Avshalom – These sources split regarding whether Tamar was a full or half sibling of Avshalom:

• Full sibling – Rav in Sanhedrin, Rashi, Radak, and Ralbag assume that Avshalom and Tamar shared both a mother (Maakhah) and father (David).  However, they posit that Maakhah was a beautiful captive woman
• Half sibling – The commentary attributed to R"Y Kara, Tosafot and the Rid all suggest that Tamar was born from the same mother as Avshalom (Maakhah), but a different father.¹

Relationship to Amnon – These sources split regarding the relationship between

Ruse

Tamar knew that David would never approve of the marriage, but was grasping at straws hoping that her words would convince Amnon to release her.

Sources:R. Yosef ibn KaspiShemuel II 13:13About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi #2, Abarbanel

Mistake

Tamar was unaware of the law, and truly believed that David would allow the marriage.

Sources:R. Yosef ibn KaspiShemuel II 13:13About R. Yosef ibn Kaspi #1, Hoil MosheShemuel II 13About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi

¹ Though these sources do not elaborate, they are likely assuming that Tamar was born to Maakhah before David married her, and Tamar was brought to the palace when David wed her mother.