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Yaakov told them: "Hashem was matzil your father’s livestock and gave them to me" (Bereishit 31:9). They responded: "All of the riches that Hashem was matzil from our father is for us and our children, and now all that Hashem has told you, you shall do" (ibid. 16). Usually the root of matzil means to save, but how was he saving the flock?! Perhaps it relates to the later use of the animals in Yaakov’s attempt to be "matzil" him from Eisav (ibid. 32:12), but that still does not explain what the usage of matzil is here.
Rashi and the Radak interpret the root as meaning to set off to the side. Actually, even the word saving means separating the potential victim from the source of the danger that affects him. Here, then, it would mean that the flock that might have been with Lavan was now moved to Yaakov. The Ibn Ezra explains the similar form of the root in regard to the riches that Bnei Yisrael got from the Egyptians before they left (Shemot 12:36).
The root also comes up in Shmuel (II, 20:6). The context is that David’s forces were having difficulty handling the revolt of Sheva ben Bichri, and David expressed concern that he would escape to a fortified city and be "matzil our eyes." There, Targum Yonatan translates it as "they will cause us pain." My student and colleague, Rav Dayan Menachem Jacobowitz suggested that since in Aramaic the letters tzadi and lamed can be interchangeable, the word can be used like matzir, which would really mean to cause pain. It is also possible that it is related to the word tzel (shade), implying darkness, which is often a metaphor for painful times (see Yeshayahu 8:22 and Tzofnat Yeshayahu, p. 257).
Rashi explained in the opposite direction, saying that there is an implied but missing word, and the concern was that Sheva would save himself from before David’s troops’ eyes. The Radak adds possibilities: he will remove our sight and knowledge, i.e., draw the people’s heart after him. The Ralbag understands that this latter approach can also be applied to our pasuk about Yaakov and Lavan.
We humbly present another two suggestions in regard to David and Sheva ben Bichri. It can mean tzel but not from the perspective of darkness but of protection. It is also possible that the pasuk uses lashon sagi nahor, i.e., it is written as a positive, which is a hint of an opposite negative that the pasuk would rather not mention.
This word is one more example of the richness of the Hebrew used in Tanach, which makes the learning of p’sukim more challenging … and rewarding.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
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.
