Dry Bones

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1. On the Resurrection of the Dead - Part 1

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Vague allusions to the resurrection of the dead exist in the Torah. More substantial ones are found in Yeshayahu and Yehezkel. Daniel is the first to mention the resurrection explicitly. The Torah’s war against murder and human sacrifice may be the reason the Torah hid the concept of resurrection in the fear that it might minimize the severity of these sins. However, sacrificing one’s life to sanctify God’s Name that Daniel and his companions introduce in advance of the religious wars waged against the Jews by the Greek empire necessitated the stressing of this concept. The resurrection and other principles of faith that were not existent in an immediate reality needed to be transferred in Oral Law and not in the Torah.

2. The Vision of the Dry Bones

   Dr. Tova Ganzel

   God’s status and His power stand at the center of Yehezkel's prophecy. The nation’s past, present and future is clarified by its relationship with God. Indeed, from the prophet's perspective it is altogether possible that not a single survivor of the nation will remain. Therefore, for the observer of the vision of the dry bones the outcome is not clear. The prophet therefore has no indication as to the future of these dry bones based on prior knowledge or principles such as the covenant, the merit of the forefathers, desecration of God’s Name, or the like. The answer will depend only on God’s own decision.

   The description in the book of Yirmitahu of human bones that are strewn outside of their graves expresses more than just the great number of deaths during the years of siege and destruction. The withholding of burial dishonors the dead, and the removal of bones from their burial place likewise shows contempt. In light of this, Yehezkel’s encounter with a valley full of bones may testify to the disgrace of the people, and not necessarily to its future revival. How will the situation develop?  That depends entirely on God.

   What unfolds is a slow process of rebirth that is realized in stages. Whether the description in the book of Yehezkel is of an actual occurrence or an allegory, it is clear that in the Jewish national consciousness, this prophecy remains timeless. For our generation, seeing the establishment and prospering of the State of Israel after the horror of the Holocaust, this consciousness of the redemption being bound together with the vision of dry bones is greatly amplified.

    

3. The Future of the Kingdom of Israel

   Dr. Tova Ganzel

   The future unification of the exiles of Israel with the exiles of Yehuda is a rather surprising prophecy. Up until now, Yechezkel has not mentioned the exiles of Israel. This arose from the fact that as, as far as we know, the exiles of Israel, unlike the exiles of Yehuda, did not live in exile as a community with a separate, independent identity. The prevailing philosophy among them was the pagan world-view which assumed that as well as obeying the local administration, exiled groups would also show loyalty to the local deity. Therefore, this prophecy concerning the reunification of the kingdom of Israel with the kingdom of Yehuda is both a notable and significant development.

   Thus, it appears that the prophecy of the Dry Bones earlier in the chapter refers to the Kingdom of Israel. The 150 years that have passed since the exile of the Kingdom of Israel are not proof of their annihilation, and the nation receives a Divine promise of Divine revival.

   Our prophetic unit concludes with Yehezkel conveying the promise that the revival of the people, in all its various manifestations – Land of Israel, leadership, covenant, and the Beit HaMikdash - will be eternal.

4. Prophecies of Redemption in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel

   Dr. Tova Ganzel | Hour and 4 minutes

   The prophecies of redemption of Yehezkel, Yirmiyahu and Yeshayahu each have unique characteristics that define them, influenced by their context - both time and place- within which they were said. By closely examining these prophecies we can understand each of their unique content and appreciate the historical context that lies in the background of each of these prophecies. 

5. "HaTikva" Then and Now

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   The prophet Yechezkel speaks about an exiled nation mired in despair; they are thus compared to corpses that are not only lifeless but whose flesh and skin have decomposed and whose bones have been scattered. "Ha-Tikva" likewise describes a nation in exile, but the soul of this nation is alive and its eyes look towards Zion.  Hope has another aspect to it, as expressed in the words of Iyov. Elements from Tanakh are compared to their references in HaTikva and to other Jewish sources about hope for the return to Zion.