- Torah and Jewish Thought
- General Questions
Three questions in Tanach
Question
1) Since God is "Almighty," why didn’t God deliver the children of Israel much, much sooner than to wait over 350+ years to bring them out of Egypt.
2) Psalm 115:18 (Joseph’s) feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron. Exactly what is the meaning of "Soul entering the iron."
3) Job 1:6, 2:1 .... who exactly were the "sons of God" that presented themselves before the Lord.
Answer
1. It’s written explicitly why: “because the iniquity of the Emori (will) not yet be full” (Breishit 15, 16), and accordingly, we had to wait. It’s true the people of Israel are the Chosen People, but by no means does that mean that God doesn’t take into account the needs, the reward, punishment and challenges of other nations, as well. As for Israel, the oral tradition details that there were different levels of bondage and hardship over the years (e.g. the slavery itself was only 210 years), and therefore our fathers received the precisely beneficial amount of challenges. Accordingly, the element of time was relatively insignificant.
2. The correct source is 105, 18, is more correctly translated, ‘he was put in iron” The term “nefesh”, is usually literally translated as “soul”, but is often a poetic way to refer to the person involved (“he”, as in Isa. 29, 8). From the context (Joseph being locked up), it’s clearly referring to physical locking, i.e. “he (his body) was put (=locked) in iron”.
3. It’s referring to the “entourage” of God, commonly called: “angels”.

relating the hands to the mind
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 27, 5780

Reading Secular Books
Rabbi David Sperling | Elul 6, 5773
Being Jewish
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Nisan 24, 5770

What are angels and Satan in Judaism?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 22, 5782

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Goyim at Shul/hashkafah of Shul
Adar II 1, 5771

Evils Spirits & Ghosts
Adar II 25, 5771

Birkat Hamazon - extra verses
Adar II 25, 5771

Kri u'ktiv
Adar II 25, 5771

Jews murdering prophets
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 2, 5780

Do non-Jews or non-Noahides go to heaven?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 7, 5779

Jews and Santa Claus
Rabbi David Samson | 3 Shevat 5763

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Acquaintances who support our enemies?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 7, 5784

Is it worth debating for Israel at work?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 17, 5784

Understanding AntiSemitism & What's the Solution?
Rabbi Ari Shvat |
