Difference between revisions of "The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe/2/en"
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<point><b>"דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה"</b> – As above, according to this approach, this scene is found in its chronological place and only occurred after Hashem finished relaying the entire Decalogue.</point> | <point><b>"דַּבֵּר אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה"</b> – As above, according to this approach, this scene is found in its chronological place and only occurred after Hashem finished relaying the entire Decalogue.</point> | ||
<point><b>"מֹשֶׁה יְדַבֵּר וְהָאֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל"</b> – R. Saadia connects this verse to the above "בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ", suggesting that he thinks that it, too, refers to Hashem's speech during the Decalogue.  It simply tells the reader that, to be heard over the shofar, both Moshe and Hashem spoke in loud voices.<fn>Since he claims that Hashem would say each of the Dibrot and then Moshe would repeat it, one might have expected the verse to be written in the opposite order "ה' ידבר ומשה יעננו בקול".  As written, it sounds as if Moshe spoke first.</fn></point> | <point><b>"מֹשֶׁה יְדַבֵּר וְהָאֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶנּוּ בְקוֹל"</b> – R. Saadia connects this verse to the above "בַּעֲבוּר יִשְׁמַע הָעָם בְּדַבְּרִי עִמָּךְ", suggesting that he thinks that it, too, refers to Hashem's speech during the Decalogue.  It simply tells the reader that, to be heard over the shofar, both Moshe and Hashem spoke in loud voices.<fn>Since he claims that Hashem would say each of the Dibrot and then Moshe would repeat it, one might have expected the verse to be written in the opposite order "ה' ידבר ומשה יעננו בקול".  As written, it sounds as if Moshe spoke first.</fn></point> | ||
− | <point><b>Grammatical alternations</b> – This position would agree with Ibn Ezra above that the switch is an example of legitimate, normal variation in Tanakh | + | <point><b>Grammatical alternations</b> – This position would agree with Ibn Ezra above that the switch is an example of legitimate, normal variation in Tanakh and holds no extra significance.</point> |
<point><b>Purpose of Sinaitic revelation</b></point> | <point><b>Purpose of Sinaitic revelation</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Prophecy for the masses</b> – This approach assumes that all can prophecy if Hashem so desires, even without lengthy preparation. R. Maimon, though, does qualify that each person understood Hashem's words differently, according to their own abilities and level. </point> | <point><b>Prophecy for the masses</b> – This approach assumes that all can prophecy if Hashem so desires, even without lengthy preparation. R. Maimon, though, does qualify that each person understood Hashem's words differently, according to their own abilities and level. </point> |
Version as of 09:36, 19 May 2015
The Decalogue: Direct From Hashem or Via Moshe?
Exegetical Approaches
All From Hashem
The nation heard the entire Decalogue from Hashem. This position subdivides regarding whether Hashem was directing his words at the people or at Moshe.
Direct Communication
Hashem spoke to the people themselves; they, not Moshe, were his target audience.
- Spoke to all – According to Ibn Ezra, this verse does not insinuate that Hashem was to speak to Moshe alone, but only that when Hashem did speak to him (along with everyone else), his prophetic stature would be verified. The nation had doubted Moshe's prophecy, believing that if Hashem speaks to a person he cannot live afterwards. Thus, Hashem tells Moshe that when the nation sees Him speaking to Moshe during the giving of the Decalogue, they will finally recognize that this is not true.
- Change of plan - According to Ralbag and Abarbanel, originally, Hashem told Moshe that he would speak to him alone and the nation would overhear, leading them to believe in Moshe's prophecy. Moshe then clarifies to Hashem that the nation preferred not to have a mediator but desire a direct face to face revelation which Hashem acquiesced to.3
- Before the Decalogue – According to Ibn Ezra and Abarbanel4 this refers to the conversation between Moshe and Hashem before the giving of the Decalogue and, as such, cannot be used to support any position regarding how Hashem delivered the commandments.5
- Before and during – Ralbag maintains that the verse refers to Hashem's words both before and during the Decalogue.6 Hashem conversed with Moshe prophetically, but at the same time, He had the message emerge out loud (via a concrete voice rather than a mental transmission) to the nation.
Overheard
Hashem's speech was really directed at Moshe, but Hashem ensured that the nation overheard the conversation.
All Via Moshe
The nation understood none of Hashem's words, requiring Moshe to mediate between the people and Hashem throughout the entire Decalogue.
Combination - Two versus Eight
Heard only two
The nation heard Hashem directly during the first two commandments, but then got scared and asked Moshe to tell them the rest.
Comprehended Only 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.