Difference between revisions of "The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe/2/en"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
THIS TOPIC HAS NOT YET UNDERGONE EDITORIAL REVIEW
(Original Author: Yonatan Novetsky) |
(Original Author: Yonatan Novetsky) |
||
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
<p>Hashem spoke to the whole nation directly, and Moshe was uninvolved in the transmission of the Decalogue.</p> | <p>Hashem spoke to the whole nation directly, and Moshe was uninvolved in the transmission of the Decalogue.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="Josephus3-5-4" data-aht="source">Josephus</a><a href="Josephus3-5-4" data-aht="source">Antiquities 3:5:4 (89-90)</a><a href="Josephus" data-aht="parshan">About Josephus</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink><aht | + | <multilink><a href="TanchumaBuberYitro17" data-aht="source">Tanchuma (Buber)</a><a href="TanchumaBuberYitro17" data-aht="source">Yitro 17</a><a href="Tanchuma" data-aht="parshan">About Tanchuma (Buber)</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink><aht | + | <multilink><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">Pesikta Rabbati</a><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">22</a><a href="Pesikta Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta Rabbati</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RashbamShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="RashbamShemot20-15" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:15</a><a href="Rashbam" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLong20-1" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLong20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 20:1</a><a href="IbnEzraDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RalbagShemot19-8" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemot19-8" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:8-9</a><a href="RalbagShemot20-15" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:15</a><a href="RalbagDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="Ralbag" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershon</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink><aht | + | <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot20" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19Q13" data-aht="source">Shemot 19-20, Questions 13-14</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot20" data-aht="source">Shemot 20</a><a href="Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
<point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – This approach understands "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" literally, that in a singular occurrence Hashem spoke to the entire nation directly.</point> | <point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – This approach understands "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" literally, that in a singular occurrence Hashem spoke to the entire nation directly.</point> | ||
Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
<p>The nation understood none of Hashem's words, requiring Moshe to mediate between them and Hashem throughout the entire Decalogue.</p> | <p>The nation understood none of Hashem's words, requiring Moshe to mediate between them and Hashem throughout the entire Decalogue.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | <multilink><aht | + | <multilink><a href="MekhiltaBachodesh4" data-aht="source">Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael</a><a href="MekhiltaBachodesh4" data-aht="source">Bachodesh 4</a><a href="Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael" data-aht="parshan">About Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">1:2</a><a href="Shir HaShirim Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RambamMoreh2-33" data-aht="source">Rambam</a><a href="RambamMoreh2-32" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:32</a><a href="RambamMoreh2-33" data-aht="source">Moreh Nevukhim 2:33</a><a href="Rambam" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Maimonides</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RAvrahamShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Avraham HeChassid</a><a href="RAvrahamShemot20-1" data-aht="source">cited by R. Avraham b. HaRambam Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Avraham HeChassid" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham HeChassid</a></multilink></mekorot> |
<point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – The words "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" may refer to the sound the nation saw directly (even though they did not understand it).</point> | <point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – The words "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" may refer to the sound the nation saw directly (even though they did not understand it).</point> | ||
<point><b>אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם</b> – This verse can be understood simply by these commentators.</point> | <point><b>אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם</b> – This verse can be understood simply by these commentators.</point> | ||
Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
<p>The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.</p> | <p>The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | R. Hamnuna in <multilink><aht | + | R. Hamnuna in <multilink><a href="BavliMakkot23b" data-aht="source">Bavli Makkot</a><a href="BavliMakkot23b" data-aht="source">Makkot 23b-24a</a><a href="Talmud Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, |
− | R. Yishmael in <multilink><aht | + | R. Yishmael in <multilink><a href="BavliHorayot8a" data-aht="source">Bavli Horayot</a><a href="BavliHorayot8a" data-aht="source">Horayot 23b-24a</a><a href="Talmud Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a><a href="SHSRabbah1-2" data-aht="source">1:2</a><a href="Shir HaShirim Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Shir HaShirim Rabbah</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="PsJShemot20-2" data-aht="source">Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a><a href="PsJShemot20-2" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:2</a><a href="Targum Pseudo-Jonathan" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a></multilink>, |
− | R. Yehoshua b. Levi in <multilink><aht | + | R. Yehoshua b. Levi in <multilink><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">Pesikta Rabbati</a><a href="PesiktaRabbati22" data-aht="source">22</a><a href="Pesikta Rabbati" data-aht="parshan">About Pesikta Rabbati</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RashiShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot19-19" data-aht="source">Shemot 19:19</a><a href="RashiShemot20-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:1</a><a href="Rashi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RYBSShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Kara</a><a href="RYBSShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Yosef Kara" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Kara</a></multilink>, |
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RYBSDevarim5-4" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYBSDevarim5-4" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:4-5</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
<point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – The first two commandments were given "face to face", directly from Hashem to Israel.</point> | <point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – The first two commandments were given "face to face", directly from Hashem to Israel.</point> | ||
Line 73: | Line 73: | ||
<p>Hashem gave all of the commandments directly to the nation, but were able to comprehend only the first two, and Moshe had to transmit the contents of the last eight to them.</p> | <p>Hashem gave all of the commandments directly to the nation, but were able to comprehend only the first two, and Moshe had to transmit the contents of the last eight to them.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RambanShemot20-6" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanShemot20-6" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:6</a><a href="RambanShemot20-14" data-aht="source">Shemot 20:14</a><a href="RambanDevarim5-5" data-aht="source">Devarim 5:5</a><a href="Ramban" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe Nachmanides</a></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
<point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – All of the commandments were given "face to face", although the Israelites did not understand all of them.</point> | <point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – All of the commandments were given "face to face", although the Israelites did not understand all of them.</point> | ||
Line 86: | Line 86: | ||
<opinion name="Overheard All From Hashem">The Israelites Overheard all of the Decalogue From Hashem | <opinion name="Overheard All From Hashem">The Israelites Overheard all of the Decalogue From Hashem | ||
<p>Hashem spoke only to Moshe, but the nation listened in on the conversation.</p> | <p>Hashem spoke only to Moshe, but the nation listened in on the conversation.</p> | ||
− | <mekorot><multilink>< | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RAvrahamShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Maimon</a><a href="RAvrahamShemot20-1" data-aht="source">R. Avraham b. HaRambam Shemot 20:1</a><a href="R. Maimon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Maimon</a></multilink></mekorot> |
<point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – The nation heard the Decalogue directly from Hashem.</point> | <point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – The nation heard the Decalogue directly from Hashem.</point> | ||
<point><b>אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם</b> – While the nation heard Hashem directly, Hashem was only talking to Moshe, who can be considered as standing between them.</point> | <point><b>אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם</b> – While the nation heard Hashem directly, Hashem was only talking to Moshe, who can be considered as standing between them.</point> | ||
Line 98: | Line 98: | ||
<p>Hashem spoke only to Moshe while the Israelites listened on, and Moshe then repeated the entire Decalogue to the nation.</p> | <p>Hashem spoke only to Moshe while the Israelites listened on, and Moshe then repeated the entire Decalogue to the nation.</p> | ||
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
− | <multilink>< | + | <multilink><a href="RasagShemot19-9" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RasagShemot19-9" data-aht="source">Commentary Shemot 19:9-21, 20:1</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
<point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – All of the commandments were given "face to face".</point> | <point><b>פָּנִים בְּפָנִים</b> – All of the commandments were given "face to face".</point> |
Version as of 22:19, 10 August 2014
The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe?
Exegetical Approaches
The Israelites Heard All of the Decalogue From Hashem
Hashem spoke to the whole nation directly, and Moshe was uninvolved in the transmission of the Decalogue.
פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – This approach understands "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" literally, that in a singular occurrence Hashem spoke to the entire nation directly.
אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – Ibn Ezra explains these words to be referring to after the Decalogue.
בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ –
דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – Rabanan bring proof from this verse that only after the whole Decalogue was given, the Israelites asked Moshe to serve as an intermediary.
Grammatical Alternations – Ibn Ezra explains that after Hashem became accepted to the nation as their god in the first two commandments, He could refer to Himself as the Israelites' God in third person. In addition, he notes that in other verses, such as Shemot 23:18-19, Hashem alternates between speaking of Himself in first and third persons.
Purpose of Sinaitic revelation –
Prophecy for the Masses – This approach must assume that Hashem is capable of making any one prophesy.
The Israelites Heard All of the Decalogue From Moshe, and Not From Hashem
The nation understood none of Hashem's words, requiring Moshe to mediate between them and Hashem throughout the entire Decalogue.
פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – The words "פָּנִים בְּפָנִים" may refer to the sound the nation saw directly (even though they did not understand it).
אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – This verse can be understood simply by these commentators.
בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ – According to the Rambam, the nation heard a sound, but only Moshe heard Hashem's words. He proves this from Devarim 4:12, where we are told "קוֹל דְּבָרִים אַתֶּם שֹׁמְעִים", which implies they only heard a sound ("קוֹל"), but not the words themselves.
דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – Even the plain sound was enough to scare the people, who wanted that in the future Moshe would hear Hashem's commands privately, without a terrible noise.
Grammatical Alternations – The Rambam ignores the grammatical differences between the commandments, presumably attributing them to literary variation.
Purpose of Sinaitic revelation –
Prophecy for the Masses – According to the Rambam, indiscriminate prophecy is impossible, and therefore the only one who heard the full Decalogue directly from Hashem was Moshe. However, the Rambam agrees that other people, such as Aharon and his sons, could hear something, depending on their spiritual level.
The Israelites Heard The Decalogue From a Combination of Hashem and Moshe
The Israelites Heard the First Two Commandments From Hashem, and the Last Eight From Moshe
The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.
Sources: R. Hamnuna in Bavli Makkot, R. Yishmael in Bavli Horayot, Shir HaShirim Rabbah, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, R. Yehoshua b. Levi in Pesikta Rabbati, Rashi, R. Yosef Kara, R. Yosef Bekhor Shor
פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – The first two commandments were given "face to face", directly from Hashem to Israel.
אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – During the last eight commandments, Moshe served as an intermediary.
בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ –
דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – This approach understands this to have happened in the middle of the Decalogue, between the second and third commandments.
Grammatical Alternations – R. Yosef Kara adduces support for this approach from the fact that the Decalogue switches from first person to third person when referring to Hashem.
Purpose of Sinaitic revelation –
Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.
The Israelites Heard all of the Commandments From Hashem, but Only Understood the First Two
Hashem gave all of the commandments directly to the nation, but were able to comprehend only the first two, and Moshe had to transmit the contents of the last eight to them.
Sources: Ramban
פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – All of the commandments were given "face to face", although the Israelites did not understand all of them.
אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – During the last eight commandments, Moshe served as an intermediary, explaining to the Israelites what they heard.
בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ –
דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה – This approach understands this to have happened in the middle of the Decalogue, between the second and third commandments.
Difference Between Commandments – Ramban explains that the first two commandments are necessary foundations, upon which all other commandments rest, and therefore were given directly by Hashem. The last eight were explained by Moshe in order to prove that he is the messenger of Hashem.
Grammatical Alternations – R. Yosef Kara adduces support for this approach from the fact that the Decalogue switches from first person to third person when referring to Hashem.
Purpose of Sinaitic revelation –
Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.
The Israelites Overheard all of the Decalogue From Hashem
Hashem spoke only to Moshe, but the nation listened in on the conversation.
Sources:R. Maimon
פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – The nation heard the Decalogue directly from Hashem.
אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – While the nation heard Hashem directly, Hashem was only talking to Moshe, who can be considered as standing between them.
בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ – According to R. Maimon, Hashem spoke to Moshe, but the nation overheard what He said to him.
דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה –
Grammatical Alternations – R. Maimon would presumably understand the grammatical fluctuation as legitimate literary variation.
Purpose of Sinaitic revelation –
Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.
The Israelites Heard the Commandments Once From Hashem and Once From Moshe
Hashem spoke only to Moshe while the Israelites listened on, and Moshe then repeated the entire Decalogue to the nation.
Sources: R. Saadia Gaon
פָּנִים בְּפָנִים – All of the commandments were given "face to face".
אָנֹכִי עֹמֵד בֵּין ה' וּבֵינֵיכֶם – Moshe served as an intermediary, repeating every commandment as it was said.
בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ – Hashem spoke to Moshe, while the nation overheard, and then Moshe repeated the Decalogue to the nation.
דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה –
Grammatical Alternations –
Purpose of Sinaitic revelation –
Prophecy for the Masses – These commentators assume that Hashem may allow the uninitiated to prophesy.