universalism

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1. A Better Smell and a Better World

   Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 6

   Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 23 minutes

   Pesukim about shrubbery in Yeshayahu are interpreted as symbolizing Esther, Vashti, Mordechai, and Haman. Is Vashti evil? Why does she appear here? The symbolism in Yeshayahu suggests tangible, objective improvement. In addition to justice against the would-be destroyers of the Jewish people and Temple, the triumph of the righteous heroes cause an objective improvement to society at large.

2. Yeshayahu 56-57 - Matan Al HaPerek

   Rabbi David Sabato

   In Chapter 56, the sphere of redemption widens and comes to one of its highest peaks. The prophet prophesies about the idea that the redemption of Israel and the building of the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) will be spiritual processes with universal significance and import. 

   At the center of Chapter 57 is a strong rebuke against idol worshippers among the People. The prophet describes the moral degeneration connected with idolatrous rituals: ritual prostitution and killing of children.

3. Yeshayahu 65-66 - Matan Al HaPerek

   Rabbi David Sabato

   The two concluding perakim of Yeshayahu include both rebuke of the nation’s sinners and discussion of the goodness bestowed on the righteous. The first section of our perek (1-7) harshly rebukes the nation for its addiction to idolatry. In the second section (8-15), the prophet contrasts the punishment of the evil doers to the reward of the righteous. In the third section (16-25), the prophet describes the hidden remuneration saved for the righteous. He likens this reward to the creation of a new world, a description which is parallel to the prophecies regarding the end of days in perakim 2 and 12. The prophecy of consolation in our perek, unlike the previous prophecies regarding the end of days, describes the refinement of Yerushalayim’s reality which will occur within the framework of the natural order.

4. A World of Avraham's Descendants

   Rabbi David Silverberg

5. Structure and Meaning of Sefer Shemot

   Dr. Yael Ziegler | 36 minutes

   This shiur looks at some of the broader themes in Sefer Shemot, the story of Bnei Yisrael’s development into a nation. Why was the nation created? What was the purpose of the idea of a nation with a special relationship with God? The Book of Shemot can be divided into three broad sections, but how do the stories between the Song at the Sea and Mount Sinai fit into these categories? We return to some of the motifs in the first section of Shemot in order to answer our questions.

   The story of Yitro serves as Shemot’s finale to the universalist goal of the Exodus story—that Egypt will recognize God. The rest of Shemot – the Giving of the Torah and the setting up of the Mishkan – begins to fulfill the other goal of the Exodus story: helping the People of Israel cultivate their own recognition of and relationship with God.

6. From your land, Your Birthplace, Your Father’s House

   Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky

7. Mishlei - Part 7: Ethics, Wisdom, and Enlightenment

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen | 34 minutes

   In this seventh instalment, we return to the end of the third chapter and then move onto the first part of the fourth chapter of Mishlei. The poem in the beginning of the fourth chapter relates to the idea of strengthening our personalities through studying mussar (ethics) and hokhma (wisdom), both of which develop us and enable us to be more enlightened and involved in the world.