Yehuda and Tamar
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Yehuda and Tamar
Rabbi David Silberתאריך פרסום: תשעב | |
We examine the story of Yehuda and Tamar, looking for linguistic hints from the names and symbolism of items mentioned in the narrative. Though seemingly unrelated to the “Yosef” stories which bracket it, the “Yehuda and Tamar” story reverberates with echoes from the preceding chapters. Tamar teaches Yehuda a transformative lesson that will shape his leadership in the following stories involving his interaction with his brothers.
Yehuda and Tamar
Rabbi Amnon BazakYehuda prevents his brothers from killing Yosef; but suggests that they sell him instead. How does the Torah evaluate his actions? What is the relationship between the selling of Yosef and the story of Er; Onan; Shela and Tamar? What lesson is learned from this episode about taking responsibility and white lies?
David and Bat-Sheva (Part II)
Chapter 11
Rabbi Amnon BazakThis lesson will continue to explore the story of David and Bat Sheva, and David sending Uriah the Hittite to his death. Did Yoav perform David's command as he was commanded? Was he loyal to David? And what is David's single credit in the story?
Ruth and Boaz in the Goren: Realizing One's Destiny
Part 5
Dr. Yael Ziegler |Key words and motifs in the story of Ruth and Boaz are compared with two earlier Biblical stories: the story of Lot and his daughters (Ruth’s ancestors) and the story of Yehuda and Tamar (ancestors of Boaz). The story of Ruth and Boaz Ruth and Boaz is a tikkun for these earlier stories, as they subvert Naomi's plan.
Naomi, Tamar, and Lot's Daughters: Continuity at All Cost
Dr. Yael ZieglerGod - through Boaz - is the provider of food and children. Naomi's plan to seduce Boaz is beneficial for Ruth and for herself. The immodest plan that Naomi develops is based on the biblical precedents of the daughters of Lot with Lot - the progenitors of Ruth - and Tamar with Yehuda - the progenitors of Boaz.
An Immodest Proposal
Dr. Yael ZieglerNaomi crafts a plan for Ruth to seduce Boaz in contrast with the reputation that Ruth is attempting to develop for herself. Despite the temptation, Boaz chooses to control his desires and asks "Who are you?" thereby identifying Ruth as a person, and thus acting differently than Lot and Yehudah.
Levirate Marriage in Megillat Ruth
Dr. Yael ZieglerRuth and Boaz's union is not a Levirate Marriage, but Levirate Marriages are alluded to many times and share a common theme to Boaz's redemption of Ruth. The union, at a great personal cost, establishes an heir for the deceased and cares for a widow who due to her Moavite ancestry is deemed commonly as unsuitable.
The Story of Yosef: A Fresh Look
Rabbi Dr. Daniel Tropperתאריך פרסום: תש"ע | | 58 minutes
Two main moral questions arise from the story of Yosef and his brothers: Why doesn't Yosef contact his father? Why does he have to put his brothers through all the cruelty? This shiur examines the story of Yosef from a psychological perspective, by closely examining the characters and personalities of Yaakov, Yosef, and the brothers. Examining the story from this perspective sheds light on the reasons behind the actions and emotions of the characters, and teaches a lesson about the tremendous impact parents have on the development of their children, which ultimately influences the continuity of Am Yisrael.
Duplication and Contradiction
Part 8 - Bias in the Writing of Tanakh?
Rabbi Amnon BazakDespite making identical use of the same literary tools, the most fundamental difference between the documentary hypothesis and the aspects approach concerns the question of whether the Torah is of Divine origin or a human creation.
Only by reading the Biblical text on its own terms can its messages be appreciated, and that searching for agendas behind the text ends up obscuring far more than it illuminates.
The tendency of biblical critics to view biblical narratives as agenda driven leads them to ignore the possibility that this profound and complex story was written in order to teach the important lessons that it contains, preferring the assumption that it was created by people who sought to further their own views by disseminating it. Subservience to the assumption of bias in Tanakh is not only mistaken in its own right, but also problematic insofar as it leads one to ignore the messages arising from the narrative, such that Bible study loses all independent value.
Yehuda and Tamar – A Story Within a Story?
Rabbi Elchanan SametThe story of Yehuda and Tamar appears to be an independent story within the narrative of the sale of Yosef. What is the significance of the story's placement? Does it relate to the story of Yosef? When did the story take place? This article focuses on the meaning of the story of Yehuda and Tamar itself, and on how – from a literary angle – it serves as a necessary complement to the story of Yosef and his brothers.
The Prince and the Prison
Rabbi Chanoch WaxmanYosef finds favour while he is a slave in Egypt - in Potiphar’s house, and in jail. The text emphasizes again and again how God is helping Yosef. But if this is so, why does God bring Yosef continually downward? What is the meaning and message of Yosef’s descent?
What Does the Story of Yosef Come to Teach Us?
Rabbi Elchanan SametWhat is the subject of the story of Yosef and his brothers, and what does it come to teach us? in order to address this question, we examine the schematic structure of this long story, such that we will be able to discern at a glance its major parts and their interrelationship. Through this examination, we learn about the beginning of the exile, and the significance of the Torah's use of the words "these are the generations" in sefer Bereishit. We also notice that the story of Yosef and his brothers is a variation on one of the central themes of the Torah as a whole: sin – punishment – teshuva – redemption. All of these components in this biblical process turn, in our story, on the value of family unity and responsibility for its continued existence.
Yehuda vs. Tamar as Background to Yehuda vs. Yosef
Prof. Jonathan GrossmanThe story of Yehuda and Tamar can be presented as a literary backdrop to the encounter between Yehuda and Yosef, not only because of chiastic similarity, but also because of the perfect analogy between the two images. On the one hand, it highlights Yehuda's identification with Yaakov, the identification of fathers who have lost children and who fear for the fate of their remaining son. On the other hand, it also highlights Yehuda's special quality of putting himself on the line for others: correcting the wrong that he did to Tamar, and illuminating the darkness of Egypt with his great selflessness on behalf of his younger brother.
Yehuda and Chira - Finding a Friend
Rabbi David SilverbergRav Amital on the Unnatural Jewish Monarchy
Rabbi David SilverbergYehuda, Yaakov, and Sons
Rabbi David SilverbergTamar and the Wife of Potifar
Rabbi David SilverbergClothing and Unclothing as Leitmotif in Yaakov's Family
Rabbi Francis Nataf | Hour and 1 minutesClothing plays a major role in defining a person’s identity and character- both as perceived by one’s self and by others. We can gain a deeper appreciation of this concept through a close examination of stories in the book of Genesis, particularly tracing the characters of Yehuda and Yosef. Through an exploration of the narratives we can appreciate that clothing serves as a method of communication, a form of identity and self-perception, and helped shaped the story of the Jewish nation.
Vayigash: Yaakov's "Sons" Hetzron and Hamul
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 18 minutesParashat Vayechi is filled with family reunions, love within family, loss within family, trying to move on from loss, beginning from a seemingly minor point and getting to a point of greater significance. There is one pasuk describing Yehuda's "five" sons, mentioning the death of Er and Onan, and saying that the sons of Peretz are Hetzron and Hamul. We analyze this section in the midst of the list of Yaakov's 70 children. Why are Hetzron and Hamul here? Do they posthumously replace Er and Onan? Through our investigation, we gain perspective on Tamar's actions, as well.
The Night at the Threshing Floor: Uncovering the Motives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Dr. Mordechai SabatoThe unique quality of Megillat Ruth stems from the fact that the problem arising from Ruth's remarkable loyalty to Naomi was overcome by Boaz's extraordinary strength. Boaz understood that he must not allow Ruth's kindness towards Naomi to fade into the dark of night at the threshing floor. In a rare demonstration of profound understanding of the soul of another, Boaz recognized the purity of Ruth's motives, and thus blessed her, rather than cursing her.
Why did Naomi send Ruth to the threshing floor in a way that could negatively reflect on Ruth, herself, and Boaz? What were Naomi's motives and objectives, and does the Tanakh approve of Naomi's plan? We compare Megillat Ruth's challenges and tests of character with other stories in Tanakh to appreciate the pivotal moment of the Megilla.
Translated by David Silverberg
R. Yosef Bekhor Shor
Dr. Avigail RockR. Yosef of Orléans, (northern France) was a 12th-century exegete who has become known through the generation as Ri Bekhor Shor. He was a Tosafist, a student of Rabbeinu Tam, and he was influenced mainly by Rashi’s commentary and the commentaries of Mahari Kara and the Rashbam. Like his predecessors Mahari Kara and Rashbam, he was a member of the peshat school. It appears that Ri Bekhor Shor forges a path that is a middle way between Rashi and the pursuers of the peshat. These are his major exegetical principles:
- Ri Bekhor Shor aims to explain the verses without non-biblical information; however, when the derash is appropriate for explaining the peshat and for the general context of verses, or when one may explain it as being in keeping with biblical reality, he will not hesitate to bring a midrash.
- The Torah does not provide superfluous information. All information provided is in fact essential.
- Verses should be explained within their specific context, a reverse method to the foreshadowing principle of Rashbam.
- Verses should be explained based on understanding the state of mind of the human actors.
- Verses should be explained according to the reality of the biblical era.
- God directs the world in a natural way as much as possible, and the use made of miracles is the absolute minimum.
- An expansive and consistent approach to the question of the reasons of mitzvot.
- In the Peshat vs. Halakha discussion, Ri Bekhor Shor is closer to Rashi’s approach with exception in which he explains the verses according to a Peshat that differs from Halakha.
- A tendency to counteract Christian interpretations of the Torah.
Yehuda - The Making of a Biblical Hero
Rabbi Alex Israelתאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour and 10 minutes
We will be discussing the Yehuda and Tamar episode, the essential story to understand Yehuda as a leader, and to understand the forefathers and Bereisheet as a whole. We explore some perplexing questions about this story, and seek to understand the strange behavior of all involved. How does this story fit in with the sale of Yosef, and which event came first? The juxtaposition of these stories provides perspective on the ultimate leadership roles of Yosef and Yehuda, and teaches important lessons about taking responsibility.
Choice and Change
Rabbi Jonathan SacksThe sequence from Bereishit 37 to 50 is the longest unbroken narrative in the Torah, and there can be no doubt who its hero is: Joseph. The story begins and ends with him. We see him as a child, beloved – even spoiled – by his father; as an adolescent dreamer, resented by his brothers; as a slave, then a prisoner, in Egypt; then as the second most powerful figure in the greatest empire of the ancient world. At every stage, the narrative revolves around him and his impact on others. He dominates the last third of Bereishit, casting his shadow on everything else. From almost the beginning, he seems destined for greatness.
Yet history did not turn out that way. To the contrary, it is another brother who, in the fullness of time, leaves his mark on the Jewish people. It was not Joseph but Judah who conferred his identity on the people, Judah who became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, David, Judah from whom the messiah will be born. Why Judah, not Joseph? The answer undoubtedly lies in the beginning of Vayigash, as the two brothers confront one another, and Judah pleads for Benjamin’s release.
This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.
To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Choice and Change
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 9 minutesThe sequence from Bereishit 37 to 50 is the longest unbroken narrative in the Torah, and there can be no doubt who its hero is: Joseph. The story begins and ends with him. We see him as a child, beloved – even spoiled – by his father; as an adolescent dreamer, resented by his brothers; as a slave, then a prisoner, in Egypt; then as the second most powerful figure in the greatest empire of the ancient world. At every stage, the narrative revolves around him and his impact on others. He dominates the last third of Bereishit, casting his shadow on everything else. From almost the beginning, he seems destined for greatness.
Yet history did not turn out that way. To the contrary, it is another brother who, in the fullness of time, leaves his mark on the Jewish people. It was not Joseph but Judah who conferred his identity on the people, Judah who became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, David, Judah from whom the messiah will be born. Why Judah, not Joseph? The answer undoubtedly lies in the beginning of Vayigash, as the two brothers confront one another, and Judah pleads for Benjamin’s release.
This lecture is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.
To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Parshat Vayeshev - The Birth of Paretz
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutesPeople often refer to the "story of Yehuda and Tamar." But perhaps the story should be understood a bit differently: "the story of the trials and travails of Yehuda."
How does this story connect to the larger picture of Chumash at this time? We look at the end of Chapter 38 – the internal difficulty ends with the story of the birth of twins to Tamar. The content and language echoes another story where younger replaces the older: its literary parallel is the story of Yaakov and Esav. But when we look closer, we find another parallel - between Yehuda and Yosef, both of whom have exile stories with challenges of a similar nature, and both of whose descendants become kings of Israel.
Royal propaganda in the story of Yehuda and Tamar
Dr. Brachi ElitzurWithin this overall narrative, we find some episodes that appear, at first glance, to be of marginal importance, and their contribution to the advancement of the plot is not immediately apparent. The most obvious example is the story of Yehuda and Tamar. Other than the identity of the characters involved, which anchors this episode within the family history of Yaakov's sons, there is no clear connection between this narrative and the sale of Yosef with its significant repercussions in Chevron and in Egypt. Ancient midrashim and later commentators alike tried to find some link between the narratives, proposing both psychological explanations (describing Yehuda's pangs of conscience and consequent depression as the motivation behind the story) and the connection between the sin and its punishment (with Yehuda's embroilment in the affair concerning Tamar viewed as repayment for his dominant role in the sale). Nevertheless, the seeming out-of-place story demands some explanation indicating a broader connection with the surrounding plot.
We address this question after examining the unique midrashic approach to the story of Yehuda and Tamar.
Widows: Windows to Mashiach
Rabbi Moshe Millerתאריך פרסום: 2023 | | 55 minutes
Why does the mitzvah of yibum play a central role in Megillat Ruth? As a special example of the mitzvah of hesed and an ancient concept predating matan Torah, yibum is critical to resolving Creation's oldest paradox, how to continue a family line after tragedy strikes. Yehudah, Tamar, and King David are among the actors in this compelling drama.
To Life! A Model of Female Biblical Heroism
Dr. Yosefa (Fogel) Wrubleתאריך פרסום: 2023 | | 56 minutes
This lecture looks at different ways women are represented in Tanakh, By comparing the narratives of Esther, Rut, and Tamar, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the different ways women wielded power in the biblical world and what meaning that can provide us with today.