Ten Minutes of Torah

with

Rabbi Chaim Weiner

Bo - 5766

שמות יא:ב

דַּבֶּר-נָא בְּאָזְנֵי הָעָם וְיִשְׁאֲלוּ אִישׁ | מֵאֵת רֵעֵהוּ וְאִשָּׁה מֵאֵת רְעוּתָהּ כְּלֵי-כֶסֶף וּכְלֵי זָהָב:

Exodus 11.2

Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow from his neighbour, and every woman from her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

The school of Yannai stated - Na is an expression of request. Said the Holy One blessed be He to Moses: Please keep on reminding Israel to ask the Egyptians for gold and silverware so that that righteous man (Abraham) shall not say: his promise to “serve and afflict them” he did keep but not that of “afterwards they shall leave with great wealth.” They answered him: Just let us get out.

The situation may be compared to a man who was in prison. People said to him: Tomorrow you will be released and be given plenty of money. He answered them: Just let me get out today; I don’t ask for anything more!

QUESTIONS

1. What anomaly in the wording prompted the above Midrash?

2. Several commentators ask the following question: What kind of argument is “that the righteous man (Abraham) should not say”? Surely even if he had no complaint to make it was still God’s duty to keep his promise?

Answers to last week’s questions:

(To access last week’s study sheet, visit the archives page on www.tenminutesoftorah.supanet.com .)

1. What problem in the verse are the commentators addressing?

The commentators are explaining the meaning of the phrase “the finger of God” – whenever the Torah describes God in human terms, the commentators understand it as a metaphor. Rashi says that through the force of the miracles of the plague, the magicians had come to recognise God. Rashbam understands the term they way we use ‘an act of God’ in modern usage – i.e. and act of nature.

2. Is Ramban addressing the same problem as Rashi and Rashbam?

Typically, Ramban is taking a broader look at the story as a whole. Beyond explaing the meaning of the phrase ‘the finger of God’ – he explains why the magicians have come to recognise God only now, and also why they use the phrase ‘the finger of God’ and not the more common metaphore ‘the hand of God’.

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Ten Minutes of Torah was prepared by Rabbi Chaim Weiner, based on the methods of Prof. Nechama Leibowitz. Rabbi Weiner studied and corresponded with Prof. Leibowitz for several years.

· I endeavour to reply to everyone who sends their answers to me.

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· This study sheet, and archives of previous study sheets are available at www.tenminutesoftorah.supanet.com .

· Please send any comments or questions (including technical questions, or problems you have accessing the material) to tenminutesoftorah@supanet.com.

Jewish Journeys

Off the Beaten Track Jewish Adventures

With Rabbi Chaim Weiner

Trip to

Lisbon, Castello De Vide, Tomar

March 2 – 5, 2006

Led by Rabbi Chaim Weiner

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In December 1496, King Manuel I of Portugal signed the decree expelling the Jews from his country. This started the long saga of the Crypto-Jews of Portugal, the effects of which still are being lived by the descendants of the Crypto-Jews in Portugal today.

The highlight of our trip will be our Shabbat in Lisbon. We will be hosted by the Beit Israel community – made up of descendants of the Crypto-Jews who are rebuilding their Jewish life today. In addition we will visit the beautiful town of Castello De Vide, where there are still remnants of Crypto Jewish life, and Tomar – home of the oldest synagogue in the country.

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For Further Details Contact:

Rabbi Chaim Weiner

www.jewishjourneys.supanet.com

jewishjourneys@supanet.com

+44 20 7870 7959