In this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Yitro
Available online in streaming video, and for download in mp3 and mp4 (Ipod video) formats.
While Parshat Yitro is best known for our stand at Sinai and the recording of the Ten Commandments, less attention is devoted to the journey to Sinai, a journey that was not only physical, but also metaphysical, spiritual and emotional. The two verses that sum up the journey raise at least as many questions as they answer: “… On this day, they arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai. They journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the Wilderness; and Israel encamped (vayeechan) there, opposite the mountain.”
Our first question is the obvious one. Why the repetition of information we already know. Further, why is the order reversed, the arrival followed by the point of departure? Based on these questions, what is the Torah trying to teach us? Rashi, the super commentator par excellence, notes that the Torah juxtaposes Rephidim with Sinai to show us that teshuvah, repentance and return to Hashem and Torah, was an integral part of leaving Rephidim just as it was an integral component of our stand at Sinai. Yet the Torah does not document teshuvah as part of that stand.
Rashi further comments that “they encamped” is written in the singular form of the verb, indicating that they encamped as a single person with a single heart and desire. This comment seems to parallel Rashi’s comment about the Egyptians who pursued Israel with one heart as one man. How can the two be compared this way?
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
NAALEH.COM and YU TORAH Arrival Accentuation Parshat Yitro 5774 By: Mrs. Shira Smiles
In this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Yitro
Available online in streaming video, and for download in mp3 and mp4 (Ipod video) formats.
While Parshat Yitro is best known for our stand at Sinai and the recording of the Ten Commandments, less attention is devoted to the journey to Sinai, a journey that was not only physical, but also metaphysical, spiritual and emotional. The two verses that sum up the journey raise at least as many questions as they answer: “… On this day, they arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai. They journeyed from Rephidim and arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the Wilderness; and Israel encamped (vayeechan) there, opposite the mountain.”
Our first question is the obvious one. Why the repetition of information we already know. Further, why is the order reversed, the arrival followed by the point of departure? Based on these questions, what is the Torah trying to teach us? Rashi, the super commentator par excellence, notes that the Torah juxtaposes Rephidim with Sinai to show us that teshuvah, repentance and return to Hashem and Torah, was an integral part of leaving Rephidim just as it was an integral component of our stand at Sinai. Yet the Torah does not document teshuvah as part of that stand.
Rashi further comments that “they encamped” is written in the singular form of the verb, indicating that they encamped as a single person with a single heart and desire. This comment seems to parallel Rashi’s comment about the Egyptians who pursued Israel with one heart as one man. How can the two be compared this way?
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