Hester Panim

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1. The Testimony of Ha'azinu

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 31 minutes

   What is the purpose of the text of Haazinu and the "heavens and earth" serving in a witnessing capacity? Haazinu presents divine justice - and reminds Bnei Yisrael that the "measure for measure" horrors during a time of "Hester Panim" - times when God hides His Face - are still bracketed by past and future Divine healing. Haazinu, juxtaposed with the "Luchot Ha-Edut" (Tablets of Testimony) is a testament to the eternal and lasting covenantal connection between God and Israel.

2. 'Hester Panim' and its Prophetic Message

   Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

   'Hester Panim' is a concept that is prominent in the understanding of Megillat Esther. On a positive side, Shirat Ha'azinu teaches us that even when God's providence is not apparent, he never abandons Am Yisrael. However, 'Hester Panim' also implies a sinful situation that leads to God's reaction of 'Hester Panim'. The sin of Am Yisrael in the story of Megillat Esther is also hidden.

3. Ramban

   Part 3

   Dr. Avigail Rock

   Additional characteristics of the Ramban’s commentary on the Torah:

   The Secret Torah — “Al Derekh Ha-Emet”

   When the Ramban prefaces an explanation with these words, his intent is to cite a commentary based on sod (literally, secret), the hidden, mystical elements of Jewish tradition. His Kabbalistic commentaries cannot be understood by a reader unschooled in fundamental Kabbalistic concepts.

   Citation and Incorporation in the Commentary of the Ramban

   Psychological Sensitivity

   The Ramban explains the verses using an analysis of the motivations of the dominant personalities, based on his reasoned assessment of the characters and the situations in which they find themselves.

   Serus Ha-Mikra

   Another exegetical tool employed by the Ramban in his commentary is serus ha-mikra, the inversion or transposition of the verse. Sometimes, in order to understand the intent of the verse, one should read it as if the sequence of the words is different.

   Abbreviation and Elaboration

   When there is a certain lack of correlation between the initial description of an event and the later recapitulation of the same event, the Ramban explains the lack of correlation using the following rule: “It is the way of the verses to abbreviate it in one place and to elaborate in another place.”

   There is no doubt that the Ramban is one of the most influential figures in terms of shaping the world of biblical exegesis and the Jewish worldview generally.

4. Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Where's the Happy Ending?

   Rabbi David Fohrman |

   In this video, the first of a three-part series, we ask about God's odd prophecy to Moses at the end of the Torah. As Moses is about to die, why does God tell him about how the Israelites will ruin everything? Rabbi Fohrman hints that Moses has the power to help us get out of a vicious cycle, which we will explore in next week's video.

    

    

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