Amos: 2:6-16 — The Punchline

Yaacov Bronstein
Amos

The final ten verses of the first speech in the sefer serve as the punchline to the elaborate setup with the seven nations, as we explained there. Beyond the formulaic 3+1 opener, this section does not follow the regular structure or patterns used for the other nations, and is considerably longer and more multifaceted. The “4th” crime here is not any single action, but a multiplicity of different offenses filling v7-8. This leads into v9-12, in which God lists ways in which he has historically attempted to distance the nation from sin, all of which have proven futile. v13-16 conclude the speech with foretold disaster...

Hashgacha Pratis (Part 2): There Is No Affliction Without Sin

Devir Kahan
Hashgacha

We left off last time with the following overview of the topic of Hashgacha from the Sefer HaChinuch:

  • There is no Hashgacha on inanimate objects.
  • There is only general Hashgacha on animals (species).
  • Only Homo Sapiens have Hashgacha on every entity, and every detail.

But this is all only as far as schar v’onesh/reward and punishment is concerned. That is all the Chinuch deals with. For now, I’d like to flesh out this point about reward and punishment just a bit more.

We turn now to Rambam’s Guide To The Perplexed 3:24 to see his words on the subject...

Modes Of Systematization Of Theological Assertion

Eliezer Berger
Kabbalah

You may or may not have known this, but there is a superstructure which is sort of like a hyper-dimensional crystal. It can be visualized as a Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) in which certain objectives are to be accomplished and innumerable elements can interact via complex algorithms, driven by innumerable consoles joined by a single server...

Parshas Toldos: Yaakov And The Real World

Devir Kahan
Parsha

We know that we should pay close attention to the first time something is mentioned in the Torah. Or at least so we are told. When it comes to Yaakov and Eisav it's not just a typical difference between brothers. They each have two completely separate ideas on how to view and approach the world. They are, in many ways, mutually exclusive. Yet the Torah is strangely silent about their differences. Most things we know come from Midrashic literature. There's a lot more explicit heroism in the Torah by Moshe, Dovid, Shlomo, Avraham, Yitzchak, and so forth. By Yaakov, however, we really only get business, dreams, stealing, brachos, and that's about it. It is not a life full of heroism. Eisav, too, is not so bad, seemingly, from the posukim alone. No murder. No rape. Not even theft. From the text alone, he seems like a decent guy, even...

Hashgacha Pratis (Part 1): Even A Leaf From A Tree?

Devir Kahan
Hashgacha, God

Here begins what I hope will become something of a mini-series on the topic of Hashgacha Pratis. Literally translated, it means “Detailed Supervision”, but it is otherwise known as “Divine Intervention” or “Divine Providence”. The question at hand is how often, and in what way, God intervenes in the world. When does God get involved in our state of affairs? Without getting too involved too quickly, it is enough to say that such a topic is, of course, fundamental to Judaism, and a proper understanding of the topic is of great importance. It is this that we endeavor to achieve in this series...

The Phoenix Of The Dawn

Eliezer Berger
Halacha, Tefillah

In the quarter of davening that comes before p’sukei d’zimra, one is meant to recite several passages of sacrificial law. One such passage would seem out of place. The rest of the introductory service (“korbanos”) is understandable: the first paragraph tells the kohanim to wash their feet and hands before service, the third concerns the daily korban (which is brought before and after all the others), the fourth speaks at length about the daily incense. Others passages about various offerings from the Talmud are presented afterwards...

Amos: 1:3-2:5 — (3+1 [sins]) x 7 nations

Yaacov Bronstein
Amos

The following piece is a classic demonstration of the dramatic oratory skill with which neviim spoke in order to emotionally impact their audience. The speech consists of a litany of seven nations neighboring Yisrael, including Yehuda, who will all be divinely punished as a result of some particularly unforgivable degree of sin. The basic purpose of the list format is to build a sense of self-assured safety and superiority in the minds of his northern audience, which is abruptly shattered when Amos climactically lists Yisrael as the eighth condemned nation...

The Hidden Fundamental Of Faith

Dovid Schwartz
Yom Kippur, Halacha, God

At the end of his introduction to Mishneh Torah, the Rambam lists all of the twenty-four sefarim that comprise his great Halachic work. He briefly discusses the content of each one and explains his rationale for each title. For example, he writes, “In the Third Book, I shall include all of the mitzvos which occur at determined times, such as Shabbos and the Holidays. I have called this book Sefer Zmanim (Book of Times).” While this classification seems eminently reasonable, the Rambam has a problematic description of the contents of Sefer Ha-mada (Book of Knowledge). He writes, “In the First Book, I shall include all of the mitzvos which pertain to the fundamentals of the Religion of our teacher Moshe, which a man must know before anything else — such as, for example, the Unity of His Name, blessed be He and the prohibition of idolatry.”...

Amos: 1:1-2 — Superscription and Preamble

Yaacov Bronstein
Amos

1: The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. 2: And he said: the LORD roareth from Zion, and uttereth His voice from Jerusalem; and the pastures of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither. (Translation doth cometh from Mechon Mamre (JPS 1917), which I feel best captures the optimally intimidating biblical voice.)

Parshas Lech Lecha: Avram’s Existential Crisis

Zach Sterman
Parsha

Parshat Lech Lecha takes us through the initial stories and challenges in the life of Avraham (then Avram), a character introduced in the closing posukim of Parshat Noach. Over the course of these episodes, starting from the opening posuk of the parsha, God interacts with Avraham, giving instructions, blessings, and prophesies. However, at certain points the interactions between God and Avraham become confusing and complicated. Here I will attempt to shed light on the structure and intent of God’s interactions with Avram. But before the question can even be asked, it is crucial to recognize and understand the structure of (the beginning) of Lech Lecha...

Some Notes About Moshiach

Devir Kahan

The following is what Rambam has to say in regards to speculating about the Messianic age, and speaking about when it will occur (emphasis added): "Regardless of the debate concerning these questions, neither the order of the occurrence of these events or their precise detail are among the fundamental principles of the faith. A person should not occupy himself with the Aggados and homiletics concerning these and similar matters, nor should he consider them as essentials, for study of them will neither bring fear or love of God"...

Amos: Introduction And Methodology

Yaacov Bronstein
Amos

This series will attempt to analyze a sefer of Tanach using the contemporary Literary-Theological analytical approach as has been developed and pioneered in recent decades. Our subject will be Sefer Amos (The Book of Amos), the third of the Trei Asar (Twelve minor prophets). This series will be delivered on two consecutive levels. The first will be my own analysis of the sefer using the Literary-Theological methodology. Having already completed a prior thorough surface examination, this level of the series will follow my analysis as I complete the requisite hermeneutical circle with a second examination of the entire sefer. The second level of updates will be my third examination of the sefer, this time with a systematic integration of traditional Jewish commentators, midrashim, as well as secular commentaries and academia. Therefore, the entire series will hopefully accomplish not only a thorough exposition of Sefer Amos, but also act as a demonstration of the new methodology, as well as the advantages of integrating traditional and secular commentators into that methodology...

You’re Already Looking For HaShem

Eliezer Berger
God, Kabbalah

Have you ever strolled alone or had a moment to stop and observe the world? Too often we categorize these experiences as “vacations” or “breaks”, meaning that we consider them to be aberrations from our usual drone of business. And yet, it is in these moments that wonderful, soul-freeing epiphany can occur...

Thoughts On “Not In God’s Name”, The Latest Book From Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Devir Kahan
Reviews, Books and Seforim

I recently finished reading Not In God’s Name, Rabbi Sacks’ book on the topic of religious violence, and his propositions in attempt to resolve it. Rabbi Sacks, apparently, has been working on this book (at least in some capacity) for the last 12 years, and I’ve been waiting for my copy for the last 8 months, ever since it was announced and released in Britain. As was to be expected from things out of Rabbi Sacks’ study, it was well worth the wait, and was an engaging, challenging, intriguing, intelligent, enjoyable read...

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