[Par-reg] Haazinu - questions for self study
Menachem Leibtag
mleibtag at gmail.com
Mon Oct 7 09:22:54 EDT 2019
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THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org]
In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag
Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag
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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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