[Par-reg] HAAZINU - Questions for self study

Tue Sep 26 04:40:33 EDT 2006

*************************************************************
        THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org]
  In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag
 Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag
*************************************************************

PARSHAT  HAAZINU

PART I - QUESTIONS FOR THE 'SHABBOS TABLE' 

BARUCH HU U-VARUCH SHMO 
1.  We are all familiar with the custom of answering 'baruch Hu,
u-varuch shmo' whenever we hear a 'bracha' of 'baruch ata Hashem'. 
    Are you aware of the source for this custom? 
    In case you aren't, first - attempt to understand the meaning of
the statement baruch hu u-varuch shmo'. 
Then, read the opening three lines of 'shirat Ha'azinu" (32:1-3),
paying special attention to 32:3! 
    As you can translate 32:3, be sure that you understand its
context.  Relate this pasuk to the above question. 
    Then, see Rashi on 32:3.  According to Rashi, how would he have
answered the above questions?  See also the commentaries of Rashbam &
Seforno on 32:3. 
    Finally, see Mishna Brura - Hilchot Tefilla 124#5 note 22. 

'BRICKS or LADDERS' 
2.  Note the 'style' of shirat Ha'azinu as it appears in a Sefer
Torah, i.e. the 'ladder'-like manner in which its psukim are written.
Then, compare that style to the style of shirat ha-yam, i.e. Shmot
chapter 15.  Similarly compare these styles to the styles of: 
    shirat ha-melachim in Yehoshua chapter 12, 
    shirat Devora in Shoftim chapter 5, and 
    shirat David in Shmuel II chapter 22. 

    Notice how we find two types of 'style' in this regard.  Can you
relate the 'style' of each shira to its content? 
    Can you explain how these 'songs' relate to key events in Jewish
history? 

SHIRAT HA'AZINU & NEVI'IM 
3.  Compare the opening two psukim of Sefer Yeshayahu with the opening
pasuk of shirat Ha'azinu. 
    In your opinion, is Yeshayahu using this parallel to the opening
lines of shirat Haazinu for simply 'poetic' reasons, or does this
carry thematic significance as well? 
    In your answer, relate to both the primary theme of shirat
Ha'azinu and the primary message of Yeshayahu's prophecy. 
    [See Chizkuni on 32:1!] 

4.  Compare 32:36 [and its context] with II Melachim 14:23-28,
especially 14:26!
    Would you say that the navi's use of the phrase 'efes atzur
ve-efes azuv' is intentional?  Relate this to the prosperity which
Israel enjoys during the time period of Yerov'am ben Yoash. 
    Note the mention of the prophet Yona ben Amitai in Melachim II
14:25!  In your opinion, is this the same prophet Yona of Trei Asar
(that we read for Maftir on Yom Kippur)? 
    If so, can you relate this prophecy to that Sefer? 

PART II - QUESTIONS FOR PREPARATION (for weekly shiur) 
1.  Review 31:14-30, noting how these psukim form the introduction to
"shirat Ha'azinu" - which follows in chapter 32. 
    Noting especially 31:17-21 and 31:28, according to these psukim,
what should be the primary purpose of shirat Ha'azinu?  
    How will 'knowing this song' help Am Yisrael cope with (and
resolve) future situations of distress? 

2.  Next, review the opening psukim of the shira (i.e. 32:1-9).  In
your opinion, which psukim serve as an 'introduction', and what pasuk
actually begins the shira itself?
[In other words, after the introduction, what pasuk[im] serves as its
'opening statement'?] 

    Relate this 'opening statement' to your answer to the above
question.  Could you consider 32:7 as another type of 'opening
statement'?  Can you explain its thematic importance as well?  How
does it relate to 32:4-6?

3.  Now, study the remainder of shirat Ha'azinu, and try to divide it
into clear units. 
    In addition to translating each pasuk, attempt to follow its theme
and flow by identifying the primary topic of each unit.  Be sure to
relate this theme to your answer to the above questions (and to the
topic of its introduction in 31:17-21). 
    Be sure to see Ramban & Seforno on 31:17. 
[Do these commentaries support your conclusions?] 

4.  Finally, review the concluding psukim: 32:44-47.  How does
32:44-45 relate to 31:14-30? 
    In your opinion, does 31:46-47 relate only to the shira or to the
entire book of Devarim (or possibly to the entire Torah)?  Relate to
the word 'ha-devarim' in 32:46 and to the simple pshat of 32:47
(compare w/5:28-6:3). 
    Based on these psukim, explain the thematic connection between
shirat Ha'azinu and the main speech of Sefer Devarim. 

5.  Note Chizkuni on 42:44. 
    Then see Ibn Ezra on 42:44.  Relate this to Ibn Ezra on 31:1. 

PART III - PARSHANUT 

B'ETZEM HA'YOM HA'ZEH
1.  Note the phrase 'be-etzem ha-yom ha-zeh' in 32:48. 
Compare with Breishit 7:13 and Shmot 12:51. 
Can you find a thematic connection between these three psukim and
their context? 
    See Rashi on 42:48. 

BACK TO BREISHIT
2.  In relation to the Torah's use of the phrase 'shamayim va-aretz'
in 32:1, relate 32:1 to 30:19, 31:28, and 11:10-17. 
Then, see Rashi & Rashbam on 32:1, noting how these psukim can help
you appreciate their commentary. 
Can you explain why they both quote 11:17. 
See also Rashi on 30:19! 
[See also Ibn Ezra & Chizkuni on 32:1.  In what manner are their
commentaries different than Rashi's?] 

    Now see Ramban on 32:1.  Relate to Ramban on 30:19! 
Note how his peirush differs with Rashi's. 
    Can you explain what Ramban considers 'derech ha-pshat' and
'derech ha-emet' in this regard? 
    What is the difference between them in approach?  In your opinion,
do these two approaches contradict or complement one another? 

IBN EZRA & OLAM HA'BAH
3, Review 32:39, noting God's statement regarding life and death.
Which comes first in this pasuk [life or death]?  Can you explain why?
 Then see commentary of Ibn Ezra on "amit v'achya" in the middle of
his commentary on 32:39.  Note how he quotes opinions that this pasuk,
along with several others, indicates that there must be a world to
come.  
 Note how Ibn Ezra himself relates to that proof, and how he offers
his own explanation in regard to the existence of a 'world to come',
and how one achieves that reward.
 How can this Ibn Ezra help you appreciate why the Ibn Ezra himself
was so dedicated to Torah study?

    be-hatzlacha, 
menachem 

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