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Rachel and the Idols

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  1. The Defeat at the Hands of the Pelishtim and the Death of Eli (II)

    Chapter 4 (Part II)

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    The epilogue to chapter 4 discusses the death of Pinhas's wife during the birth of Ikhabod. This story is a supplement to the nation's defeat in their battle against the Philistines, emphasizing the messages of the entire chapter.

  2. Family Healing

    Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes

    Yosef acts like a hostile stranger when his brothers come to Egypt. Even if one could understand his behavior toward his brothers, he must know that his charade causes pain for Yaakov. How could he do this to his father, and why does Yosef frame Binyamin? Ultimately, the story touches upon mistakes of long ago and offers a chance for renewal and atonement.

  3. Why Does Yosef Return the Money to the Sacks of the Brothers?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  4. Targum Onkelos

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    In this first lesson of the series Targum Onkelos is examined. There is no doubt that Targum Onkelos succeeded, for over a millennium, in maintaining its honored place in the Jewish community as the authoritative translation of the Torah.  In every publication of the Torah with commentaries, Targum Onkelos maintains its place of honor, and throughout the Jewish world, the weekly study of the Targum is a halakhic obligation.

    The challenges, difficulties and limitations of any translation of the Bible are visited as well as the specific overarching principles of Targum Onkelos that include:

    • Simple translation of the text without details from the Midrash
    • Avoids the anthropomorphization of God
    • Explanation – not translation – of metaphors
    • Explanation – not translation – of biblical poetry
    • Varying translations of similar terms in different contexts in order to avoid the desecration of God’s name
    • Maintain the dignity of the leaders of the Jewish nation, often concealing questionable actions
    • In accordance with Halakha

  5. Rashi

    Part 4 - The Moral and Educational Philosophy of Rashi (II)

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    In his commentaries, Rashi displays great sensitivity towards the people in society who are indigent or powerless, who have no defenders.  This compassion for the disadvantaged is expressed in numerous ways.

    Rashi expresses great affection for the forebears of Israel, the Patriarchs, the Matriarchs, and the Twelve Tribes. This regard is expressed in two areas.  The first is an attempt to minimize — to the level of obscuring the very progression of the biblical text — the negative traits or acts which are attributed in Scripture to Israel’s forebears and its role models. The second is the glorification of acts that seem to be insignificant.

  6. R. Avraham ibn Ezra

    Part 3

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    Ibn Ezra believes that it is inconceivable for the Sages’ halakhic tradition to contradict the peshat of the verses. On this point, he argues with the Rashbam, who goes as far as to explain the halakhic verses against the tradition of the Sages. As we have explained in the previous lessons, Ibn Ezra supports the view of philological pashtanut and exerts great effort to explain the verses in accordance with the rules of grammar and topical logic. However, when there is a contradiction between the peshat and the Sages’ tradition in Halakha, ibn Ezra pushes the simple meaning of the words so that it will fit with the Sages’ view, while striving to have it dovetail with the rules of grammar and language.

    Despite these words of Ibn Ezra expressing the unquestionable authority of the Sages in Halakha, many times ibn Ezra veers in his interpretation from the interpretation of the halakhic ruling.

    ·       It may be that ignorance of the halakhic ruling – due to poverty and wandering - is what causes him to interpret verses differently than the Sages.

    ·       Alternatively, while the ibn Ezra sees himself as bound by the Sages’ legal authority, the Sages themselves do not believe that this is the verse’s intent, but they tie the law to the verse.

    While ibn Ezra had a profoundly negative view of the Karaites, it is important to note that he does not hesitate to cite their interpretations if he believes they are correct. According to his view, the truth of the Oral Torah may be established not only by finding its laws in the verses of Written Torah, but by confronting the reality of the absence of many laws in the Written Torah. These exigent rules are only found in the Oral Torah, and without their existence there is no significance at all to the laws of the Written Torah.

    Ibn Ezra was aware of Rashi’s status in France. Therefore, in his commentary to the Torah, ibn Ezra keeps his silence despite the fact that he disagreed with him.

    Ibn Ezra conceals issue in his commentary; he embraces the phenomenon of "sod" with regard to deep concepts, issues regarding the authorship of Torah and sins of great Biblical figures.

  7. What are Lavan's Terafim and Why did Rachel Steal Them?

    Rabbi Daniel Wolf

    תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour

    There is an interesting side story in the midst of Yaakov's flight from Lavan's household. Rachel steals her father's terafim, and Lavan accuses Yaakov. Yaakov unwittingly curses the thief, and Rachel dies. Why did Rachel steal them? What are the terafim? We look at different places in Tanakh where terafim are mentioned, and consider different opinions regarding their purpose: are terafim used as an idol worship device, or as a divination tool? 

    As we trace the terafim and the motivations of those who use them, we notice patterns that crop up. What emerges is a message about deceit: though on some occasions it may  be necessary, deceit has a price - sometimes a steep one.
     

  8. Matot: Why Is The End of Bamidbar So Anticlimactic?

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    The Torah is a book of great drama, why does the narrative ends with a seemingly-unnecessary story about a random conquest of some towns? In this week and next week, Rabbi Fohrman paints a picture of epic connections to the stories of Jacob, Joseph and Judah.

     

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  9. Masei: Why Is The End of Bamidbar So Anticlimactic? II

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In this video, we still ask, why does the Torah end the narrative sections with the story of Yair ben Menashe conquering some towns? In finding the answer, Rabbi Fohrman teaches us about true reconciliation: brothers taking care of brothers.

     

    If you enjoyed this video, please visit AlephBeta.org to watch more.

  10. Parshat Vayetze Part 5: Pledging Allegiance

    Rabbi Gad Dishi | 25 minutes

    The first part of Perek 31 details Yaakov’s departure from Charan, his subsequent meetup with Lavan, and Rachel’s deception in stealing the terafim. These episodes parallel the earlier narratives of Yaakov arriving in Charan, his first meeting with Lavan, and the deception of the switch between the sisters.  

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com