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Jewish Thought was a joint project of the Orthodox Union (OU) and Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim. This journal was released in Spring/Summer 5751.
UNDERSTANDING “AN EYE FOR AN EYE”: Where Peshat Contradicts Halacha
Rabbi Yehudah Copperman
While Chazal’s analysis of Scripture primarily involved derivation of the Halacha through MIdrashic expositions, they nevertheless taught us that “Scripture does not depart from its plain meaning.” But what function are we to ascribe to this “plain meaning,” considering that the Halacha frequently does not at all accord with this meaning? Through numerous citations from classic commentaries on the Torah, the author demonstrates that the “peshat” of Halachic statements in the Torah does indeed play a crucial role, comprising various levels of meaning that might otherwise have remained concealed from us.
HAMAN’S BRIBE AND ITS ANTIDOTE: Purim and the Machatzit HaShekel
Aryeh Naiman
According to the Talmud, the shekalim that were contributed by Yisrael to the sanctuary served as an antidote for the shekalim offered by Haman to Achashverosh in exchange for permission to exterminate the Jewish people. The association between the two sums of money appears elusive. In clarifying the Talmud’s intent, the author provides insight into the Mitzva of machatzit hashekel and various dimensions of Purim. Through these, the essay presents an incisive analysis of the Torah’s view of the relationship between the individual and the community and its ramifications regarding the Jewish concept of personal responsibility.
THE ANOINTMENT OF KING DAVID: “Ruddy with Beautiful Eyes”
Rabbi Yehoshua Bachrach z”l
In the Bible’s description of the anointment of King David, difficulties abound. Why does Shmuel “the seer” initially fail to discern which of Yishai’s sons is or is not fit for royalty? Why does Yishai seem to withhold his son David from the prophet? And why- after God’s reproach to Shmuel that “man sees the external appearance, but G-d sees the heart”- is David introduced with a detailed physical description? Weaving together varied statements by Chazal and later commentators, the author analyzes this glimpse of King David that the Bible offers and its implications for understanding his complex character and singular greatness as G-d’s chosen anointed.
MOSHE RABBEINU AND RABBI AKIVA: Two Dimensions of Torah
Rabbi Chaim Eisen
One of the most enigmatic aggadot in the Talmud juxtaposes Moshe Rabbeinu and Rabbi Akiva, the two historic figures in the infusion of Torah into the world. Moshe is shown Rabbi Akiva’s Torah- as an incomprehensible discourse- and Rabbi Akiva’s “reward”- as his flayed flesh being weighed in the meat market. Through both examination of textual subtleties and comparison with parallel sources, the author proposes a comprehensive analysis of this aggada’s underlying meaning and message. By doing so, the essay not only clarifies the distinct roles of Moshe and Rabbi Akiva but also suggests important insights into Torah’s relationship with man and the world- and into man’s dual struggle as receiver of the Torah of G-d and innovator in the Torah of man.
THE EMERGENCE OF MAN: A Mussar approach to Mizmor 19
Hillel Goldberg
Reared on the teachings of the Mussar movement, one learns to respond to the emotional-spiritual power of Tehillim. In applying this approach to Mizmor 19, the author offers a subjective commentary on the flow of the mizmor and insights into the unspoken spiritual ascent to which it alludes. In so doing, the essay traces the mizmor’s development from a seemingly universal approach expressed in its opening declaration- “The heavens tell the glory of the Lord”- to an intensely personal conclusion- “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing before you, G-d, my rock and my redeemer.”
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