YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Time after time, the Torah presents the sons as Shem, Cham, and Yefet, in that order. However, there is significant complexity on their age order. In Bereishit 10:21, in describing Shem, the pasuk calls him "the brother of Yefet, the gadol (bigger?)." It can be read that Shem is older or that Yefet is. According to the latter possibility, the regular order is inaccurate, if it refers to age. Also, when the Torah details the descendants of these sons (Bereishit, ch. 10), Yefet’s descendants are presented first, followed by Cham’s; Shem’s descendants are presented last.
A lot may depend on what "gadol" means. Rashi posits that it means the oldest and that it refers to Yefet, like the detailed lineage section implies. In this, he follows Targum Onkelos and is followed by Ibn Ezra. If so, the five times the order is different are stressing that it is not the age that interests us but the spiritual significance, which is why Shem is mentioned first. The question then begs why Cham, the cursed son, comes before Yefet. Therefore, the Ramban posits that "the gadol" actually refers back to Shem, who was indeed the oldest son.
All agree that Cham was not the oldest. Indeed, in the aftermath of Cham’s sin against Noach, it says that Noach knew that which his katan (little) son did (ibid. 9:24). Rashi, who posits that Cham was not the youngest, explains that it means that he was a lowly person. (Ibn Ezra explains differently.)
This discussion brings us to a central theme in Sefer Bereishit – the struggle over firstborn rights. We find this matter regarding: Yishmael and Yitzchak, which prompted Sarah to send away Yishmael; Eisav and Yaakov, in which Eisav was unwilling to give up his claims, even though he sold his status to Yaakov; the firstborns of Leah and of Rachel, an episode that has a great impact on the second half of the sefer.
Unfortunately, throughout human history, one with claims to the throne would try to enhance his status by taking, including by force, a wife from an important family. We find this with the "bnei haelohim" (ibid. 6:2) and by Shechem the son of Chamor in regard to Yaakov’s daughter, Dina (ibid. 34:2). This is also related to Reuven’s action of "tampering with Yaakov’s bed" (ibid. 35:22).
If so, we can present the following explanation of Cham’s terrible sin against Noach, with the help of Cham’s son C’na’an. This was his way of asserting Cham’s claim to the leadership of mankind, when his father would die. The result was that for his sin, he received the opposite, not leadership but slavery, putting his descendants under the dominion of the children of his more principled brothers (see ibid. 9:25-27). Despite Noach’s curse, Cham (as expressed by the actions of descendants) still tried to assert himself. The first emperor in the world was his descendant, Nimrod. Cham’s descendants took control of the most important land, Eretz Yisrael. At the end, though, the one who ultimately received that land by divine decree is Avraham, the choice descendant of Shem.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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.
