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Beit Midrash
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Let us start by looking at the discrepancy between 400 and 430 years, both mentioned in explicit p’sukim. Mechilta D’Rashbi (Shemot 12:40) and Targum Yonatan (ad loc.), whose explanation is adopted by Rashi (Bereishit 15:13) and the Rashbam (Shemot, ibid.), explain that the 400 years are to be counted from the birth of Yitzchak, even though he personally did not go down to Egypt. The 430 years is from the time that the Brit Bein Habetarim was made with Avraham, when he was 70 years old. (That raises a question of timing, considering that Parashat Lech Lecha begins with Avraham being 75 years old (see Bereishit 12:4); we will discuss this in the soon-to-be-published Tzafnat Shmuel).
The Abarbanel cites an opinion that the exact number of years was that which is mentioned in Shemot – 430 years. The number 400 was an approximation. However, the Abarbanel continues with an explanation he prefers to the above. The decree was that which is found in Bereishit – 400 years. In practice, the exile was extended beyond its minimum because the Jewish People destroyed their proper path and allowed themselves to slip into acts of the abominations of the Land of Egypt. Therefore, 30 years were added on to their stay in Egypt. This is because all divine decrees are on the condition that they can be affected by the subsequent positive or negative behavior of the subject of the decree. Thus, 400 is what should have been under normal circumstances, and 430 was what was necessary as things transpired.
Based on this final approach, we can understand the Rabbinic tradition regarding the mistake of the Sons of Ephrayim. They tried to leave Egypt earlier than the rest of the nation and were killed on the "path of the Land of the Plishtim" (see Shemot 13:17 and Divrei Hayamim I,7:20-21). The gemara (Sanhedrin 92a) claims that the bones that Yechezkel brought back to life were those of the murdered Sons of Ephrayim, who left early. If the 400 years that Avraham was told had already passed, we can understand why they felt confident that they would be successful in leaving.
(According to the Psikta Zutrata, Shemot 12:40, that the actual time spent in Egypt was 210 years, neither 400 nor 430 years was meant in the literal manner we might expect, which lessens the apparent contradiction. We will continue with this next week.)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
