Difference between revisions of "Elisha and the Son of the Shunamite/2"
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<p>The Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the miracle bestowed upon her, and did not recognize that the supernatural birth of her son brought with it the responsibility of raising him to greatness.</p> | <p>The Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the miracle bestowed upon her, and did not recognize that the supernatural birth of her son brought with it the responsibility of raising him to greatness.</p> | ||
<mekorot>R"E Samet</mekorot> | <mekorot>R"E Samet</mekorot> | ||
| + | <point><b>The Shunamites' title: אִשָּׁה גְדוֹלָה</b> – <p>R. Samet notes that, unlike other barren women in Tanakh, the Shunamite is not introduced to the reader in that capacity but rather as an important woman. He reads into this fact that the woman's barren status must not have bothered her</p></point> | ||
| + | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – R"E</point> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category>No Flaw | <category>No Flaw | ||
Version as of 04:04, 21 December 2017
Elisha and the Son of the Shunamite
Exegetical Approaches
Flaw in Elisha
Elisha was at fault for the death of the Shunamite's son. This approach divides regarding the nature of his sin:
Overstepped Prophetic Authority
Elisha overstepped his prophetic authority by declaring that he could bring life. Giving life should be in Hashem's hands alone.
Lack of Empathy
Elisha's treatment of the Shunamite and unsolicited promise of a son portrayed a lack of sensitivity to his barren hostess.
Flaw in the Shunamite
The Shunamite did not sufficiently appreciate the miracle bestowed upon her, and did not recognize that the supernatural birth of her son brought with it the responsibility of raising him to greatness.
R. Samet notes that, unlike other barren women in Tanakh, the Shunamite is not introduced to the reader in that capacity but rather as an important woman. He reads into this fact that the woman's barren status must not have bothered her
No Flaw
The death of the son of the Shunamite was not related to any sin, but was rather was the result of natural causes.
