Treatment of the Stranger
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Love for the "Ger"
Rabbi Yehuda RockThe Torah relates to the "ger" as one who dwells among Am Israel; but commentators views the ger as a convert - a "ger tzedek." The Oral Torah divided the ger into two types - one who is obligated in all of the commandments of the Torah. We are obligated to love this ger - the "Ger Tzedek" - and s/he is considered fully Jewish, as opposed to the "Ger Toshav" who is obligated in the seven commandments of Noah's sons, and is permitted to live in Israel.
Vision and Details
Rabbi Jonathan SacksParshat Mishpatim takes us through a bewildering transition. Until now in Shemot we have been carried along by the sweep and drama of the narrative: the Israelites’ enslavement, their hope for freedom, the plagues, Pharaoh’s obstinacy, their escape into the desert, the crossing of the Red Sea, the journey to Mount Sinai and the great covenant with God.
Suddenly, now, we find ourselves faced with a different kind of literature altogether: a law code covering a bewildering variety of topics, from responsibility for damages to protection of property, to laws of justice, to Shabbat and the festivals. Why here? Why not continue the story, leading up to the next great drama, the sin of the golden calf? Why interrupt the flow? And what does this have to do with leadership?
Through an examination of some of the laws in Parshat Mishpatim, we understand the necessity of both law and historical narrative. Neither historical events nor abstract ideals – not even the broad principles of the Ten Commandments – are sufficient to sustain a society in the long run. Hence the remarkable project of the Torah: to translate historical experience into detailed legislation, so that the Israelites would live what they had learned on a daily basis, weaving it into the very texture of their social life. In the parsha of Mishpatim, vision becomes detail, and narrative becomes law.
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.
Vision and Details (Audio)
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 8 minutesParshat Mishpatim takes us through a bewildering transition. Until now in Shemot we have been carried along by the sweep and drama of the narrative: the Israelites’ enslavement, their hope for freedom, the plagues, Pharaoh’s obstinacy, their escape into the desert, the crossing of the Red Sea, the journey to Mount Sinai and the great covenant with God.
Suddenly, now, we find ourselves faced with a different kind of literature altogether: a law code covering a bewildering variety of topics, from responsibility for damages to protection of property, to laws of justice, to Shabbat and the festivals. Why here? Why not continue the story, leading up to the next great drama, the sin of the golden calf? Why interrupt the flow? And what does this have to do with leadership?
Through an examination of some of the laws in Parshat Mishpatim, we understand the necessity of both law and historical narrative. Neither historical events nor abstract ideals – not even the broad principles of the Ten Commandments – are sufficient to sustain a society in the long run. Hence the remarkable project of the Torah: to translate historical experience into detailed legislation, so that the Israelites would live what they had learned on a daily basis, weaving it into the very texture of their social life. In the parsha of Mishpatim, vision becomes detail, and narrative becomes law.
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.
Rashi
Part 4 - The Moral and Educational Philosophy of Rashi (II)
Dr. Avigail RockIn 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.
The Chizkuni — R. Chizkiya ben Manoach
Dr. Avigail RockThe Chizkuni wrote a comprehensive commentary on the Torah, and his style is very clear and accessible.
It appears that the Chizkuni had three aims in composing his commentary on the Torah:
· To collect all the explanations in keeping with the peshat from the works of the commentators who preceded him.
· To explain Rashi’s’ commentary by adding or changing to Rashi's words, by resolving difficulties in Rashi, and by pointing out inconsistencies in Rashi’s commentary.
· To write an independent commentary on the Torah. Despite the fact that the Chizkuni utilizes many commentaries for the purposes of writing his work, there are more than a few original commentaries to be found in its lines, characterized mainly by his attempt to understand reality and the psychological motivations of the characters in each narrative.
Love the Foreigner - for You Were a Foreigner
Rabbi David SilverbergLove Is Not Enough
Rabbi Jonathan SacksA close examination of the myriad of laws in Leviticus 19 reveals their common theme- creating and sustaining social order, and humanizing that order through love – the love of neighbor and stranger.
This article is part the 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.
Love Is Not Enough (Audio)
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 11 minutesA close examination of the myriad of laws in Leviticus 19 reveals their common theme- creating and sustaining social order, and humanizing that order through love – the love of neighbor and stranger.
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.