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One of our loyal readers asked us to explain the word dat, which comes several times in Megillat Esther, and we are happy to oblige. Our main focus will be on the word as it appears in the sefarim of Tanach that correspond to the Persian Empire period (Esther, Daniel, Ezra), although the word also comes up prominently in the beginning of V’zot Haberacha.
Throughout Esther, dat refers to the law, as Ibn Ezra explains on the pasuk: "The drinking was according to the dat, there was no coercion …" (Esther 1:8). Therefore, it should be no surprise that Rabbeinu Bachyei (Devarim 16:18) explains "all those who know dat and din" (Esther 1:13) as: "judges – those wise people who know the laws and give rulings on them"
Rav Yosef Elbo (Sefer Ha’ikarim 1:7) explains why a set of rules in the religious realm is also called dat. He says that dat can refer to any set of rules of behavior that bands a large group of people together. The origin and purpose of this set of rules can be divine (Elokit), as we find in the "fire of dat" in Devarim (33:2). The dat can consist of humanly agreed upon rules of behavior (nimusit), as we find in the dat of Persia. Finally, dat can refer to natural rules of behavior and ethics (tiv’it).
Rav Elbo explains that a religious dat can be instructions for proper behavior that are passed on by prophets, such as Adam and Noach. Avraham was a classic example of someone who taught a dat, which was focused on getting people used to serving Hashem and doing that which He mandated. Of course, for us, it includes the very elaborate set of rules that Moshe set forth before Bnei Yisrael.
He explains that a dat tiv’it refers to rules that distance people from clear moral failings, such as theft and murder. This allows a society to avoid phenomena that can rip it apart from within. A dat nimusit refers to those rules that a given society agree upon, which help the society function in an effective way, avoiding matters that are deemed by the society to be detrimental or bothersome. It includes such matters as rules of road safety, taxes, and commercial laws.
According to Rav Elbo, there is no deep connection between the dat of Persia and dat as we use it today, as a generic term for religion. The latter is religious and divine in nature, whereas the former is a group of decision by the Persians for the convenience and tastes of the Persians. The dat of V’zot Haberacha was presented by Moshe, the "man of Hashem," to teach flesh and blood how to cling to Hashem and become special and spiritual.
May the month of Adar inspire us to reaccept the Torah, as our forefathers did at the time of Achashveirosh, and give deeper meaning to our lives.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
