{"id":74461,"date":"2018-07-09T17:47:48","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-1097\/"},"modified":"2023-12-14T18:17:53","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T16:17:53","slug":"wall-1097","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-1097\/","title":{"rendered":"weekend-from-20231210-to-20231216"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"weekend","wall_id":"1097","date_from":"20231210","date_to":"20231216","book":"Ezekiel","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"39635","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"\u201cWho Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?\u201d ","post_title":"\u201cWho Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?\u201d","slug":"who-lives-who-dies-who-tells-your-story","old_id":"39635","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34235,"post_title":"Marc Gitler","slug":"marc-gitler","old_id":"34235","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Gitler","description":"Rabbi Marc Gitler, a recipient of the Wexner Fellowship, was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and earned an MPA from NYU . The founder of Fast for Feast, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. He used to work for 929 North America.\r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Marc Gitler, founder of Fast for Feast, lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34236,"alt":"","title":"Marc Gitler","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","width":407,"height":407,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","medium_large-width":407,"medium_large-height":407,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","large-width":407,"large-height":407,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","1536x1536-width":407,"1536x1536-height":407,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","2048x2048-width":407,"2048x2048-height":407,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","post_full_size-width":407,"post_full_size-height":407,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","home_baner-width":407,"home_baner-height":407}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"41","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Each of us are responsible for how we describe others and tell their stories","post_main_content_content":"

\u201cWho lives, who dies, Who tells your story?\u201d - Lin Manuel Miranda.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Joseph knows, perhaps even determines, who lives and who dies through his interpretation of dreams. Yet he waits and waits and waits languishing in prison as nobody tells his story. His version of events, as he described in the last chapter to the Pharaoh\u2019s cupbearer, is one of complete innocence \u201cI was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, nor have I done anything here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yet when his story is finally related by the cupbearer to Pharaoh only one important detail about the protagonist remains \u201ca Hebrew lad, a servant to the chief steward.\u201d Pharaoh is desperate to understand his incomprehensible dreams, but if the cupbearer is truly sorry for forgetting Joseph up to this point, and wants to convince Pharaoh to release a convicted felon, he might mention that this interpreter of dreams is a kind and decent person. One that despite being in jail he claims innocence\u2026yet the only detail he mentions is his ethnicity. \u00a0Sadly, this is not the only instance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When Joseph rebuffs the advances of Potiphar\u2019s wife she tells her servants \u201cLook, he brought us a Hebrew (<\/span>letzachek<\/span><\/i>) to dally with us.\u201d When Joseph invites the brothers to eat a meal with him they are served and eat separately \u201cbecause the Egyptians could not dine with the Hebrews, since that would be abhorrent to the Egyptians.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Racism is pervasive in Egypt. People are described by the color of their skin, not by the content of their character.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

To Pharaoh\u2019s credit, the racism is not in the palace. Following Joseph\u2019s interpretation of the dreams and economic plan Pharaoh exclaims \u201cCould we find another like him, a man in whom is the spirit of God?\u201d Pharaoh recognizes Joseph\u2019s abilities (due to God) and allows him to run the country. Joseph wears the finest Egyptian clothing, rides around in the poshest wagons, and Pharaoh even serves as Joseph\u2019s matchmaker, marrying him off to the daughter of a priestly family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yet, while the overt racism may disappear when a Hebrew is in charge and helping the country reach unprecedented economic power, when it is not quashed it remains underground and it is only a matter of time until Joseph is an unknown, and his people are \u201cthe fifth column\u201d ready to bring down the ruling party.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Who lives and who dies are questions that many of us leave to the Almighty, but each of us are responsible in the way we describe others, how we frame, describe and tell stories.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":103624,"alt":"","title":"-6249851ea7f6f--6249851ea7f70gen41-racism different black 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Leadership in an Age of Anxiety ","post_title":"Joseph: Leadership in an Age of Anxiety","slug":"joseph-leadership-in-an-age-of-anxiety","old_id":"39628","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38437,"post_title":"Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield","slug":"rachel-jacoby-rosenfield","old_id":"38437","first_name":"Rachel ","last_name":"Jacoby Rosenfield ","description":"Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield is Executive Vice President at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Previously, she served as Director of Experiential Education at American Jewish World Service (AJWS) and as the founding Director of the Jewish Greening Fellowship. Rachel was a fellow in the national Selah Leadership Program, and the Muehlstein Fellowship for Jewish Professional Leadership, and a member of Advancing Women Professional\u2019s Action Learning Team for social justice professionals. She lives in Riverdale, NY, with her family.","short_description":"Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield is Executive Vice President at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38438,"alt":"","title":"Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","width":200,"height":179,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","medium_large-width":200,"medium_large-height":179,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","large-width":200,"large-height":179,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","1536x1536-width":200,"1536x1536-height":179,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","2048x2048-width":200,"2048x2048-height":179,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","post_full_size-width":200,"post_full_size-height":179,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Rachel-Jacoby-Rosenfield-e1534961736337.jpg","home_baner-width":200,"home_baner-height":179}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"41","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Acknowledging the fear, while tapping into human ingenuity and faith","post_main_content_content":"

We walk through the world with the knowledge that bad things will happen. That\u2019s the nature of mortality. And yet, we largely live in a healthy state of denial that allows us to enjoy and make meaning in the present and to dream about the future. However, denial can go too far. We humans have a mixed track record on how to respond to clear and present danger. Maybe the specter is too frightening to \u201cbelieve,\u201d or too abstract \u2013 not clear and present enough. Perhaps we lack the leaders who can guide us through an anxious time with a sure hand and a clear and optimistic vision. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Take climate change for example. For decades scientists have given us the gift of identifying this phenomenon coupled with concrete advice on how to respond. Alas, as a species we have been wildly and disastrously unresponsive. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Against this backdrop, Pharaoh\u2019s hasty and unequivocal embrace of his Hebrew prisoner\u2019s dream interpretation is particularly astonishing. \u00a0What leader would so willingly embrace bad news?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The answer lies in Joseph\u2019s astute leadership at this moment of intense anxiety. First, Joseph diminishes Pharoah\u2019s confusion and anguish by \u201cshrinking the change\u201d\u2014don\u2019t be overwhelmed, these are not two dreams but one. There is one distinct message here and this advanced knowledge a gift from God. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Next, he delivers the bad news clearly and directly: seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine. To be sure, this is terrible news, and if Joseph had stopped here, Pharaoh very well may have sent him back to prison. \u00a0But Joseph insists on the interpretation reiterating that \u201cthe matter has been determined by God\u201d and then, without missing a beat, offers a full blown strategic plan for the next fourteen years including a chain of command, staffing structure, set of procedures and an inspired vision for the outcome. Confronted with both the inevitability of God\u2019s plan and the possibility that Joseph\u2019s vision and leadership suggests, Pharaoh and his entire court accept the bad news and embrace Joseph\u2019s response.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Joseph models leadership during a time of anxiety, at once acknowledging the overwhelm and fear and at the same time, tapping into the possibility of human ingenuity and faith. 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Rabbi Sacks passed away on 7th November 2020, aged 72. He was one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the 20th century, who bridged the religious and secular world through his ground-breaking canon of work.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"short_description":"Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z\"k (1948-2020) was the former Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth, and the International 929 president.","link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36222,"alt":"","title":"JSacks","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","width":437,"height":548,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-239x300.jpg","medium-width":239,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-768x448.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":448,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-1024x597.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":597,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","1536x1536-width":437,"1536x1536-height":548,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","2048x2048-width":437,"2048x2048-height":548,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594.jpg","post_full_size-width":437,"post_full_size-height":548,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JSacks-e1532858712594-335x420.jpg","home_baner-width":335,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"41","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Appearances deceive. Clothes betray. Deep understanding needs the ability to listen","post_main_content_content":"

After twenty-two years and many twists and turns, Joseph and his brothers meet. \u201cAs soon as Joseph saw his brothers, <\/span>he recognised <\/span><\/em>them<\/span><\/i>, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them \u2026 <\/span>Joseph recognised his brothers, but they did not recognise him<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i>\u201d Joseph was wearing the uniform of an Egyptian of high rank. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Previously Pharaoh said to Joseph, \u2018I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.\u2019 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph\u2019s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain round his neck. \u00a0He made him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, \u2018Make way.\u2019 Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. (Gen. 41: 41-43)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Stories about garments teach that <\/span>things are not necessarily as they seem<\/span><\/em>. Appearances deceive. The Hebrew word for garment, <\/span>b-g-d<\/span><\/em>, is also the Hebrew word for \u201cbetrayal,\u201d as in the confession formula, <\/span>Ashamnu, bagadnu<\/span><\/em>,<\/span><\/i> \u201cWe have been guilty, we have betrayed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Judge by appearances and you will miss the deeper truth about situations and people. You will even miss God Himself, for God cannot be seen, only heard. That is why the primary imperative in Judaism is <\/span>Shema Yisrael<\/span><\/em>, \u201cListen, O Israel,\u201d and why, when we say the first line of the <\/span>Shema<\/span><\/i>, we place our hand over our eyes so that we cannot see.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Appearances deceive. Clothes betray. Deep understanding, whether of God or of human beings, needs the ability to listen.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":52015,"alt":"","title":"deut29-clothes","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","width":200,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes-200x300.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","medium_large-width":200,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","large-width":200,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","1536x1536-width":200,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","2048x2048-width":200,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","post_full_size-width":200,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","home_baner-width":200,"home_baner-height":300}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Joseph the Listener","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Appearances deceive. Clothes betray. Deep understanding needs the ability to listen","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":52015,"alt":"","title":"deut29-clothes","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","width":200,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes-200x300.jpg","medium-width":200,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","medium_large-width":200,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","large-width":200,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","1536x1536-width":200,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","2048x2048-width":200,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","post_full_size-width":200,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/deut29-clothes.jpg","home_baner-width":200,"home_baner-height":300}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"41","chapter_main_number":"41","date":"20251026","wall_id":"41"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"354","name":"Rabbi Sacks","old_id":"754"}]},{"order":4,"id":"39679","color":"#effaea","size":"2","name":"Of Revealing and Revelation ","post_title":"Of Revealing and Revelation","slug":"of-revealing-and-revelation","old_id":"39679","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33859,"post_title":"Avidan Freedman","slug":"avidan-freedman","old_id":"33859","first_name":"Avidan","last_name":"Freedman","description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. He is an activist advocating for moral limits on Israeli arms exports, and on behalf of African refugees, and a proud husband and father of 5. He received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York, and from the Israeli chief rabbinate.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Rabbi Avidan Freedman is the Rabbi of Hevruta, the Shalom Hartman Institute's post high school program for Israelis and North Americans, and an educator in the institute's high school. ","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33860,"alt":"Avidan Freedman","title":"Avidan Freedman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","width":856,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-251x300.jpg","medium-width":251,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-768x919.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":919,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-856x1024.jpg","large-width":856,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","1536x1536-width":856,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365.jpg","2048x2048-width":856,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-800x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Avidan-Freedman-e1532029306365-351x420.jpg","home_baner-width":351,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"42","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Like Tamar, Joseph's ingenious schemes lead the brothers to reveal themselves","post_main_content_content":"

\"You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!\" Why is this the accusation Joseph decides to fabricate? While there may be concrete, historical explanations to offer, it's fascinating to note the literary elements that have run all through the story that Joseph combines as the story comes to a head.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

There is revealing that brings revelation, but there is also revealing that brings deception.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Joseph's accusation resonates first and foremost with his own traumatic experience with the brothers. They thought that to strip him of the coat that represented his special, preferred status, would reveal the absurdity of his dreams, and expose Joseph as a fraud. Instead, they were the ones who needed to deceive Jacob into false recognition- \"Recognize, please, is this your son's coat or not?\" This deception is echoed in the episode with Potiphar's wife, where she too, aims to reveal, but ends up deceiving.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Any time a person seeks to force another to \"reveal themselves\", from within their own perspective, their own needs, and their own fears, what inevitably ensues is violence, and deception.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Joseph, too, is trying to reveal. His accusation of the brothers is also a projection- if anyone is acting like a spy in this story, it is he, eavesdropping on conversations he's not supposed to understand, hatching complicated plots, playing mind games. But the revealing he seeks is not one that he will violently impose on his brothers, but one that he will bring them to undertake themselves. Like Tamar, who used the same call to \"recognize, please\" as the brothers had earlier, but allowed Judah himself to make the decision to uncover his sin, Joseph's ingenious schemes lead the brothers to reveal themselves. Only this can bring about a true revelation and a return to brotherhood.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":103666,"alt":"","title":"-624a7b42ec4a0--624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph brothers.jpg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg.jpg","width":1024,"height":660,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg-300x193.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":193,"medium_large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg-768x495.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":495,"large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg-1024x660.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":660,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":660,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":660,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":660,"home_baner":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624a7b42ec4a0-624a7b42ec4a2gen42-joseph-brothers.jpg-652x420.jpg","home_baner-width":652,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Of Revealing and Revelation","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Like Tamar, Joseph's ingenious schemes lead the brothers to reveal themselves","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":3157,"alt":"","title":"","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450.jpg","width":1280,"height":825,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450-300x193.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":193,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450-768x495.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":495,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450-1024x660.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":660,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":825,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":825,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450-1200x773.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":773,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/preview-3450.jpg","home_baner-width":652,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"42","chapter_main_number":"42","date":"20251027","wall_id":"42"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"523","name":"Joseph","old_id":"923"},{"term_id":"541","name":"Revelation","old_id":"941"}]},{"order":5,"id":"39583","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"Who Are You, Asenath? ","post_title":"Who Are You, Asenath?","slug":"who-are-you-asenath","old_id":"39583","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36692,"post_title":"Avigdor Shinan","slug":"avigdor-shinan","old_id":"36692","first_name":"Avigdor ","last_name":"Shinan","description":"Prof. Avigdor Shinan is Professor Emeritus in the departments of Hebrew Literature, Yiddish and Comparative Jewish Folklore at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Shinan has served as head of the departments of General Studies, and of Hebrew Literature and as Dean of the Hebrew University.\r\n","short_description":"Prof. Avigdor Shinan is Professor Emeritus in Hebrew Literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.","credit":"","image_url_old":"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/project929\/image\/upload\/v1473328034\/author\/60.jpg","hide_writer":false,"image_url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/uploads\/2019\/07\/60-5.jpg","link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36693,"alt":"","title":"avigdor shinan","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","medium-width":150,"medium-height":150,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","medium_large-width":150,"medium_large-height":150,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","large-width":150,"large-height":150,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","1536x1536-width":150,"1536x1536-height":150,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","2048x2048-width":150,"2048x2048-height":150,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","post_full_size-width":150,"post_full_size-height":150,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/avigdor-shinan.jpg","home_baner-width":150,"home_baner-height":150}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"41","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Egyptian wife becomes a veritable light unto the nations","post_main_content_content":"

The Tanakh reports in dry language that Pharaoh gave Joseph \"for a wife Asenath daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On\u201d (Genesis 41:45). The Tanakh itself, in Deuteronomy (23: 8-9) forbids the marriage of an Israelite man to an Egyptian woman. But one who wishes to claim that this marriage was before the giving of the Torah would find sufficient justification for this marriage that was made by two tribes in Israel, Ephraim and Menasheh. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Our Sages solved this issue of marriage in a different way, seeing Asenath as the daughter of Dinah, Jacob\u2019s daughter who was raped by Shechem son of Hamor, who had miraculously made it to Egypt and was adopted by a childless couple, Poti-phera and his wife. \u00a0Thus, Asenath became a proper Israelite woman married to Joseph, her mother's brother (See, for example, the midrash in Pirkei D\u2019Rabbi Eliezer Chapter 37).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But a more fascinating answer to this problem is provided by an ancient book, \"Joseph and Asenath,\" written in Greek by a group of Jews in the first centuries CE, possibly in Alexandria, Egypt. This book tells of a rich Egyptian girl, an idol worshiper, who fell in love with Joseph and was charmed by his personality. She decides to correct her ways, destroy the statues she worshipped, fast and pray, and in that way develop a relationship with the God of Israel and eventually to marry Joseph. The story is full of dramatic turning points and plot twists that cannot be summed up in a few sentences, but it seems that its purpose was to encourage women in the Hellenistic world to develop a relationship with the Jews and the Torah by presenting Asenath as a kind of ancient convert worthy of walking in her path. \u00a0Thus, Asenath - whom the Torah has little to do with - became a powerful personality, a light unto the nations.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":103633,"alt":"","title":"-624992a179b29--624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","medium-width":150,"medium-height":150,"medium_large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","medium_large-width":150,"medium_large-height":150,"large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","large-width":150,"large-height":150,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","1536x1536-width":150,"1536x1536-height":150,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","2048x2048-width":150,"2048x2048-height":150,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","post_full_size-width":150,"post_full_size-height":150,"home_baner":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/624992a179b29-624992a179b2agen41-asenath.jpg.jpg","home_baner-width":150,"home_baner-height":150}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Who 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Belated and Lackluster Leadership ","post_title":"Reuben: Belated and Lackluster Leadership","slug":"reuben-belated-and-lackluster-leadership","old_id":"39780","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":39778,"post_title":"Aliza Libman Baronofsky","slug":"aliza-libman-baronofsky","old_id":"39778","first_name":"Aliza Libman ","last_name":"Baronofsky ","description":"Aliza Libman Baronofsky is a first-year student in the Advanced Kollel at Yeshivat Maharat and teaches at Charles E. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":39779,"alt":"","title":"aliza baronofsky","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky.jpg","width":1425,"height":1794,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky-238x300.jpg","medium-width":238,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky-768x967.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":967,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky-813x1024.jpg","large-width":813,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky.jpg","1536x1536-width":1220,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky.jpg","2048x2048-width":1425,"2048x2048-height":1794,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky-953x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":953,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/aliza-baronofsky-334x420.jpg","home_baner-width":334,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"42","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Lessons on how to lead - from one who fails","post_main_content_content":"

In a more ordinary family, Jacob\u2019s eldest son Reuben might have assumed he\u2019d inherit the leadership mantle of the family. The fact that he is not chosen as leader is less surprising in light of Ishmael\u2019s rejection in favor of Isaac and Esau\u2019s rejection in favor of Jacob.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The general reason for Reuben\u2019s disqualification from leadership is the incident with Bilhah recounted in 35:22, but his statements and actions in chapters 37 and 42 also indicate a general lack of suitability for leadership.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After Joseph the vizier demands the brothers bring him Benjamin, the brothers generally reckon that their actions against Joseph have lead to punishment (v. 21) Reuben takes the opportunity to say \u201cI told you so\u201d in verse 22, responding \u201cDid I not tell you, \u2018Do no wrong to the boy\u2019? But you paid no heed. Now comes the reckoning for his blood.\u201d What might Reuben hope to accomplish with a statement of this nature?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Later, when the family returns home and Jacob is confronted with the news that Benjamin must go to Egypt so that Simeon can be returned and so the family can secure further provisions, Reuben tries to convince his father to send Benjamin in his care. He says, \u201cYou may kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will return him to you.\u201d (v. 37)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This declaration belies a cavalier disregard for human life and a lack of understanding of Jacob\u2019s suffering. Does Reuben really believe that killing his sons will make Jacob forget the deaths of his?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

To be successful, leaders must earn their mantle. Reuben would need to build the trust of his brothers, father and children in order to lead the family, something he does not do in this chapter. Leaders must not gloat and they must not take lightly the lives of the people they lead.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54934,"alt":"","title":"jud1-leadership","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership.png","width":1280,"height":812,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-300x190.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":190,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-768x487.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":487,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-1024x650.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":650,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":812,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":812,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-1200x761.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":761,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-662x420.png","home_baner-width":662,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Reuben: Belated and Lackluster Leadership","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Lessons on how to lead - from one who fails","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54934,"alt":"","title":"jud1-leadership","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership.png","width":1280,"height":812,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-300x190.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":190,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-768x487.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":487,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-1024x650.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":650,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":812,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":812,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-1200x761.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":761,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jud1-leadership-662x420.png","home_baner-width":662,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"42","chapter_main_number":"42","date":"20251027","wall_id":"42"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"402","name":"Leadership","old_id":"802"}]},{"order":7,"id":"39731","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"MiliMiliM - The Hebrew Corner - Gen 42 ","post_title":"MiliMiliM - The Hebrew Corner - Gen 42","slug":"milimilim-the-hebrew-corner-gen-42","old_id":"39731","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34011,"post_title":"Jeremy Benstein","slug":"dr-jeremy-benstein","old_id":"34011","first_name":"Jeremy","last_name":"Benstein","description":"Dr. Jeremy Benstein is the managing editor of 929-English. 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42:7 - When Joseph saw his brothers, <\/span>he recognized them, vayakirem<\/i><\/strong>;<\/strong> but he <\/strong><\/span>acted like a stranger toward them vayitnaker<\/i><\/strong>, and spoke harshly to them\u2026<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>8 - For though Joseph <\/span>recognized vayaker<\/i> <\/strong>his brothers, <\/span>they did not recognize him lo hekeruhu<\/i><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The idea that a word could mean a thing and its opposite sounds patently absurd. How could we ever communicate if things meant both yes and no, black and white, up and down? But there are indeed such words, called contranyms (or auto-antonym). Three quick examples in English: cleave means both \u201csplit apart,\u201d and \u201ccling to;\u201d sanction can mean \u201cpermit\u201d and \u201cprohibit\u201d (or \u201cpunish\u201d); and if an alarm goes off, well, if it was on, it went off, but if it was off, it went on. See what I mean?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

We have an example of this phenomenon in our chapter. We are familiar with the root \u05e0-\u05db-\u05e8, <\/span>n-ch-r<\/span><\/em> (often manifesting without the letter\u00a0<\/span>nun<\/span><\/em>) from words such as <\/span>lehakir<\/span><\/em>, \u201cknow, recognize\u201d <\/span>mukar<\/span><\/em>, \u201cfamiliar,\u201d and three of the four verbs emphasized above. In fact, that family of words has appeared 10 times in the last 6 chapters, and famously ties together the stories of Joseph in the pit (and the request that Jacob \u201crecognize\u201d the bloodstained tunic) and Judah and Tamar (that he \u201crecognize\u201d the staff and cord that he left with her). Here, too, a central part of the story, as made explicit in verse 8, is that Joseph of course knew the brothers, but they did not, could not, recognize him. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

But we have the additional use of the root here in a different form: <\/span>vayitnaker<\/span><\/em>, as translated here: \u201che acted like a stranger.\u201d \u00a0That is, precisely one who is not recognized or familiar. According to the authoritative Even Shoshan dictionary, this is the base meaning of the root, and also familiar to us from words like <\/span>nochri<\/span><\/em>, \u201cstranger, foreigner.\u201d (See also Ruth 2:10 for this root with its two meanings used together). The modern word for alienation, <\/span>nikkur<\/span><\/em>, is derived from this meaning. The other meaning of \u201crecognition\u201d is listed there in the etymological note as a derivation of this meaning - \u201cin the opposite sense!\u201d (rare lexicographer\u2019s exclamation point in the original - !). So, there you have it, in Hebrew, a root at least, can mean a thing and its opposite. But rather than confound and confuse, it enriches the text with deep allusions and interconnections.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":103644,"alt":"","title":"-6249c0174764a--6249c0174764cgen42-milim hikir.jpg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg.jpg","width":960,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg.jpg","large-width":960,"large-height":720,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg.jpg","1536x1536-width":960,"1536x1536-height":720,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg.jpg","2048x2048-width":960,"2048x2048-height":720,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg.jpg","post_full_size-width":960,"post_full_size-height":720,"home_baner":"https:\/\/cetwpuploads.blob.core.windows.net\/wp929\/uploads\/2018\/09\/6249c0174764a-6249c0174764cgen42-milim-hikir.jpg-560x420.jpg","home_baner-width":560,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"

Artwork by: Ben Schachter<\/p>","tile_top_caption":"MiliMiliM - The Hebrew Corner","tile_main_caption":"\u05d4\u05db\u05d9\u05e8 - Hikir - Recognize","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"... a word from the daily chapter...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":103644,"alt":"","title":"-6249c0174764a--6249c0174764cgen42-milim 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cried, and it was then that the healing could begin","post_main_content_content":"

No matter how old or accomplished we may become, somewhere inside we remain a child, forever seeking the love and reassuring presence, pride and comfort of our parents. We want to share with our mothers, and our fathers, our hard-earned successes and achievements in life.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

So how sad it is when our parents \u2013 for whatever reason - are not there to see them, not there to heap blessings and encouragement and love on us when we finally make it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This was the one major tragedy of Joseph\u2019s life \u2013 that the grandeur of his station was unknown to his parents, that he knew his mother would never see how he had grown and it was unclear if his father ever would. Inside this man who was second-only-to-Pharaoh lived an unfulfilled \u00a0little boy - eager to show his parents what he had become, eager to make them proud of him, eager to bask in and be the source of their tender feelings.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

All this was no doubt swirling around inside Joseph as he once again saw his brothers, and especially Benjamin. No doubt Benjamin awakened this yearning child in Joseph. For Benjamin was not only his full brother, but a reminder to Joseph of himself as a child, and the blessings of which he was deprived. For Benjamin, unlike Joseph, lived a lifetime in his native land, speaking his native language, in the midst of a loving father and a slew of brothers, all of whom doted on and cared for him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The emotions must have been building in Joseph for all the months he had been anticipating this encounter. \u00a0And then, seeing Benjamin, he spoke those three tender words (v. 29): \u201cMay-God be-gracious-to-you, my-son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In a flash, this mighty man who had buried so many feelings of pain, fear and loss over the years was now overcome with emotion \u2013 so he ran from the room to cry.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Why just then? What was it about that moment, those words? It was no doubt in part the special feelings he had for Benjamin, unique among all the brothers. But perhaps it was also because those words \u2013 which slipped seemingly spontaneously from his mouth - were echoes of words he had often heard, words his mother and father would say to him. \u00a0And all of a sudden, it must have seemed that it wasn\u2019t Benjamin standing there before him, but himself \u2013 the beloved lost child of Rachel and Jacob.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

So the dam broke, and Joseph cried. He cried for his lost childhood; for the cuddling, comforting intimacy that was stolen from him as a boy; for the loving touch of his mother \u2013 and perhaps father \u2013 that he would never feel again; for the man he never got to show them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He cried, and it was then that the healing could begin.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":103697,"alt":"","title":"-624b48c02dedb--624b48c02dedcgen43-joseph wept 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you reed me?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

In chapter 29, Ezekiel delivers a prophecy of the future destruction of Egypt. God is angry at Egypt\u2019s arrogance, and how Egypt regularly encouraged Israel to rebel against the Mesopotamian empires (Assyria and Babylonia), promising help that never arrived.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The allegory that Ezekiel uses is one of a reed: \u201cThen all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know That I am the LORD. Because you were a staff of reed To the House of Israel: When they grasped you with the hand, you would splinter, And wound all their shoulders, And when they leaned on you, you would break, And make all their loins unsteady.\u201d (29: 6-7)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

We\u2019ve seen this imagery before. Rabshakeh, the Assyrian general, warned Hezekiah not to rely on Egypt\u2019s help against Assyria by warning: \u201cYou rely, of all things, on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which enters and punctures the palm of anyone who leans on it! That\u2019s what Pharaoh king of Egypt is like to all who rely on him.\u201d (Kings II 18:21)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The choice of reeds to symbolize Egypt is sensible, since reeds commonly grow around the Nile (Moses was hidden among them as a baby.) Usually reeds are strong and flexible, but a broken reed provides no support, and will hurt the person relying on it \u2013 as happened to Israel after relying on Egypt.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The word Ezekiel uses for reed is the Hebrew <\/span>kaneh<\/span><\/em>. Later, in Ezekiel 40:3, the prophet mentions a \u201cmeasuring rod\u201d \u2013 a <\/span>kaneh hamidah<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i> The reed was six cubits long (40:5), and this became a standard unit of measurement.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The <\/span>kaneh<\/span><\/em>\u00a0was also used to measure weight. Isaiah 46:6 uses the phrase, \u201cto weigh out silver on the balance,\u201d and <\/span>kaneh<\/span><\/em> is the word for balance, since rods (like reeds) were used to balance the scales. Some scholars have deduced from here that the Hebrew word <\/span>kanah<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u2013 \u201cto buy\u201d derives from <\/span>kaneh<\/span><\/em>\u00a0meaning \u201creed.\u201d A purchase involved weighing out money on the balance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Greek borrowed <\/span>kaneh<\/span><\/em>\u00a0from Hebrew or some other Semitic language as their word for reed \u2013 <\/span>kanna<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i> From there it entered Latin as <\/span>canna<\/span><\/em>, and passed to the European languages, including English. Many English words derive from those Greek or Latin roots, including canal, cane, channel, cannon, and canyon.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The modern Hebrew word for shopping mall is <\/span>kanyon<\/span><\/em>. It comes from the root <\/span>kanah<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u2013 \u201cto buy\u201d but sounds a lot like the English word \u201ccanyon.\u201d In fact, one of Israel\u2019s largest malls is the \u201cGrand Kanyon\u201d mall in Haifa. Most people would assume that these two words were merely homonyms. But now you know they are actually related!<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":74745,"alt":"","title":"ez329-reeds","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds.png","width":1920,"height":1440,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-300x225.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-768x576.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-1024x768.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":768,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1152,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1440,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-1200x900.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":900,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-560x420.png","home_baner-width":560,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Don\u2019t Lean On That Broken Staff","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Do you reed me?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":74745,"alt":"","title":"ez329-reeds","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds.png","width":1920,"height":1440,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-300x225.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-768x576.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-1024x768.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":768,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1152,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1440,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-1200x900.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":900,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez329-reeds-560x420.png","home_baner-width":560,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"481","date":"20270704","wall_id":"481"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":10,"id":"74742","color":"#efefef","size":"2","name":"My Nile Is My Own ","post_title":"My Nile Is My Own","slug":"my-nile-is-my-own","old_id":"74742","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":58418,"post_title":"Naomi (Jaffe) Eini","slug":"naomi-jaffe-eini","old_id":"58418","first_name":"Naomi (Jaffe)","last_name":"Eini","description":"Naomi (Jaffe) Eini is an educational psychologist, lecturer and workshop facilitator, and author of the book, \"Journey To The Real World\" (Hebrew). She is a graduate of Mandel School For Educational Leadership, works at Midreshet Lindenbaum, and is writing a doctorate in psychology at Bar Ilan University.","short_description":"Naomi (Jaffe) Eini is an educational psychologist, lecturer and workshop facilitator, and doctoral candidate in psychology.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":58420,"alt":"","title":"naomi eini","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","width":960,"height":1135,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-254x300.jpg","medium-width":254,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-768x908.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":908,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-866x1024.jpg","large-width":866,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","1536x1536-width":960,"1536x1536-height":1135,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","2048x2048-width":960,"2048x2048-height":1135,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini.jpg","post_full_size-width":960,"post_full_size-height":1135,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/naomi-eini-355x420.jpg","home_baner-width":355,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"481","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

The daily chapter deals with Ezekiel's prophecy about Egypt. Forty years of waste are decreed on the land that challenged God and humans.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cSpeak these words: \u2018Thus said the Lord GOD: \u2018I am going to deal with you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, mighty monster, sprawling in your channels, Who said, My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.\u2019\" (29: 3)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"The River is for me to water my fields and I have no need for water from heaven\" (Metzudat David)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I am the ruler, says Pharaoh. The abundance of life is in my hands, and I do not want or need a Higher Being above me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Pharaoh, in his worldview, sees himself as \"the head of the pyramid.\"\u00a0 This position supposedly takes full responsibility for life, and expresses daring, self-confidence and courage. In some contexts, it can be interpreted as an expression of independence and leadership.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But the Prophet teaches us that his position \u201cMy Nile is my own\u201d is not an expression of a leadership ideology of independence or responsibility, but the opposite. This position is a defiant attitude towards God and humans, as it robs human beings of the right to be dependent on the Creator and the obligation to take responsibility for their lives.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know That I am the LORD. Because you were a staff of reed To the House of Israel.\" (v. 6)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The people of Israel are leaning tactically, but also ideologically, on Egypt, which resembles \u2018a staff of reed.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Prophet identifies danger in Egypt and fights this dependency.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

According to Jewish thought, dependence is an existential human position, as in the blessing said every morning: \u201cI thank you, living and enduring King, for You have graciously returned my soul within me. Great is your faithfulness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Our world has one Ruler, and we are His subjects. From this dependence, we learn to acknowledge, congratulate and rejoice that we have been privileged to be part of the world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As for the dependence on human beings, we pray (in Grace after Meals) not to be dependent on it: ...\"<\/span> Lord our God, please do not make us dependent upon the gifts of mortal men nor upon their loans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While the Egyptian view strives for the position of \"responsible adult\" and one omnipotent ruler, the Jewish view teaches us the concept of mutual responsibility - \u201dAll of Israel are responsible for one another\u201d - along with the values of justice, compassion and mercy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As parents and educators, we are required to grapple daily with questions of dependency and independence<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Prophet's words guide us to stay away from negative behavior of \"I have\u00a0 it all\",\u00a0 as reflected in an assumption of totalizing and harmful responsibility, by a single person (\"leave it to me\", \"trust me\", \"I am the one who knows\"), and thus \u201cstealing it\u201d from a son, daughter, partner, spouse and even from God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Translated by: Chava Wilschanski<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"My Nile Is My Own","tile_main_caption":"Totalizing responsibility robs everyone else of the possibility of mutual responsibility, and the values of justice, compassion and mercy","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"481","date":"20270704","wall_id":"481"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":11,"id":"74767","color":"#e0e9ef","size":"1","name":"Painfully Vivid Metaphor ","post_title":"Painfully Vivid Metaphor","slug":"painfully-vivid-metaphor","old_id":"74767","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":54356,"post_title":"Robert Alter","slug":"robert-alter","old_id":"54356","first_name":"Robert ","last_name":"Alter","description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. He has written over twenty books, focusing on such topics as the European novel from the 18th century to the present, contemporary American fiction, and modern Hebrew literature. He has also written extensively on the literary aspects of the Bible. His most recent work is his monumental three volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019 - from which the selections in 929 are taken. ","short_description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, and author of the three-volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":54357,"alt":"","title":"robert alter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","width":184,"height":275,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium-width":184,"medium-height":275,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium_large-width":184,"medium_large-height":275,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","large-width":184,"large-height":275,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","1536x1536-width":184,"1536x1536-height":275,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","2048x2048-width":184,"2048x2048-height":275,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","post_full_size-width":184,"post_full_size-height":275,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","home_baner-width":184,"home_baner-height":275}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"482","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Breaking Egypt\u2019s \u201carms\u201d\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

30:21 \u201c\u2018Man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and look, it has not been bound up to heal, to put a dressing on it to bind it for strengthening it to grasp a sword.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The prophecy is a striking instance of the rhetorical strategy of resuscitating a dead metaphor. Repeatedly, \u201carm\u201d is a term for \u201cstrength\u201d or \u201cpower.\u201d That is what it means here, but the literal sense of the word becomes salient: the arm is broken, it has been given no medical attention to heal it; dangling broken, it can no longer grasp a sword; then the other arm is broken, and the damaged one is broken a second time. The devastation of Egypt as a military power in this way is made painfully vivid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, The Hebrew Bible<\/em>, vol. 2: Prophets, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc. By permission of the author.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"From Robert Alter's Bible Translation and Commentary","tile_main_caption":"Painfully Vivid Metaphor","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Breaking Egypt\u2019s \u201carms\u201d","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"30","chapter_main_number":"482","date":"20270705","wall_id":"482"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":12,"id":"74867","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"The Allegory Of The Conceited Cedar ","post_title":"The Allegory Of The Conceited Cedar","slug":"the-allegory-of-the-conceited-cedar","old_id":"74867","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"483","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"It\u2019s fate was an omen, a lesson and a warning\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

As noted, the second part of the previous chapter bears the date of \u201cthe eleventh year, on the seventh day of the first month\u201d (30:26). The current chapter is dated approximately two months later: \u201cIn the eleventh year on the first day of the third month\u201d (1). Moshe Greenberg recorded this date as 21 June 587 (Anchor Bible: <\/span>Ezekiel<\/span><\/i>, 636).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Here, the prophet likened the impending fate of Egypt to that which was suffered in an earlier era by Assyria. His oracle, which has three parts, begins and ends with a complementary literary envelope: \u201cO mortal, say to Pharaoh and his hordes who was comparable to you\u201d (2) and \u201cWho is comparable to you\u2026 Pharaoh and all his hordes\u201d (18).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The first part of the oracle (3-9) uses the metaphor of a cedar tree of Lebanon to which all creatures were drawn, and which was the envy of all the trees of Eden. Part two (10-14) describes the disastrous consequences of the cedar\u2019s arrogance: it was cut down, dismembered, and abandoned. In part three (15-18), the cedar met up in Sheol (the netherworld) with the other trees that ultimately shared its fate.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A cedar of Lebanon figured prominently in an earlier prophecy (17:3), suggesting that Ezekiel was using it here as a symbol of the type of hubris detested by God. As in 19:12, the downfall of the haughty is likened to the snapping off of a tree limb, and the other trees, that serve here as a foil to the cedar, are also featured earlier (17:24), representing lower order kingdoms. The subsequent descent to Sheol, too, made a prior appearance in the prophecy about Tyre (26:19 ff.) and is also reminiscent of Isaiah 14:9-10:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cSheol below was astir to greet your coming\u2014 rousing for you the shades of all earth\u2019s chieftains, raising from their thrones all the kings of nations. All speak up and say to you, \u2018So you have been stricken as we were, you have become like us!\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Indeed, cedars also feature prominently in Isaiah (see 2:13, 14:8, 37:24, and, particularly, 10:33-34) suggesting that Ezekiel was familiar with that imagery and saw in it an allusion to the downfall of Assyria.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":70560,"alt":"","title":"jer22-cedar","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar.jpg","width":1920,"height":1281,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1025,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1281,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-1200x801.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":801,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Allegory Of The Conceited Cedar","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"It\u2019s fate was an omen, a lesson and a warning","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":70560,"alt":"","title":"jer22-cedar","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar.jpg","width":1920,"height":1281,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1025,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1281,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-1200x801.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":801,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jer22-cedar-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"31","chapter_main_number":"483","date":"20270706","wall_id":"483"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":13,"id":"74894","color":"#e6f5f3","size":"1","name":"Heaven And Hell Are In The Details ","post_title":"Heaven And Hell Are In The Details","slug":"heaven-and-hell-are-in-the-details","old_id":"74894","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"484","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Inspiring dread in the land of the living\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The oracle in this chapter bears the date of \u201cthe twelfth year, the twelfth month, on the first of the month\u201d (1). This situates it in March 585, some seven months after the destruction of the Temple (in July-August 586), and some two months after news of that event reached Ezekiel in Babylonia\u2014according to 33:21. The fact that the Septuagint version of our chapter altered the year from twelve to eleven, however, may be an attempt to maintain strict sequencing in these consecutive chapters rather than reflecting an alternate reading of the biblical text.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

To complicate the chronology yet further, v. 17 of the current chapter is dated \u201cthe twelfth year on the fifteenth of the month\u201d without the month itself stipulated. Eliezer of Beaugency wrote that it was the same month\u2014the twelfth\u2014noted in the opening verse, and Radak and Malbim both concurred.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The combination of dates and opening formulas (such as \u201cthus said the Lord\u201d) allows us to divide the chapter into two parts. Vs. 1-16 constitute a \u201cdirge (<\/span>kinah<\/span><\/i>) over Pharaoh\u201d (2) and further subdivides into v.2, the dirge itself, 3-11, a prophecy of doom directed to Pharaoh, and 11-15, a similar prophecy directed at Egypt in general. V.16, \u201cthis is a dirge and it shall be intoned\u2026 declares the Lord God,\u201d serves as both a literary envelope and an effective closure.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Part Two (17-32) depicts Pharaoh\u2019s descent to Sheol (the Netherworld) and can be subdivided in three. Following its own date formula (17, as noted) and address to the prophet (\u201cO mortal,\u201d18), vs. 19-21 consign Pharaoh to Sheol, 22-28 have him joined there by groups of other gentile dead, and 29-32 have Pharaoh consoling himself by the presence, in the Netherworld, of the rulers of Edom and \u201cthe princes of the north\u201d (i.e., Phoenicia).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Moshe Greenberg noted: \u201cThe passage [29-32] as a whole is one of the most detailed descriptions in Scripture of the condition of the dead\u201d (Anchor Bible: <\/span>Ezekiel<\/span><\/i>, 669), and characterized Ezekiel\u2019s view of non-Jewish kingdoms as \u201cessentially insolent encroachers on God\u2019s dominion\u2026 For His kingship to be established, the earthly kings and their forces must be annihilated,\u201d and he concluded his comments to this chapter with a citation of v.32: \u201cFor I will inspire dread of me in the land of the living.\u201d<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":74898,"alt":"","title":"ez32-heaven-hell","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell.jpg","width":1920,"height":1261,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-300x197.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":197,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-768x504.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":504,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-1024x673.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":673,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1009,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1261,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-1200x788.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":788,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-639x420.jpg","home_baner-width":639,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Heaven And Hell Are In The Details","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Inspiring dread in the land of the living","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":74898,"alt":"","title":"ez32-heaven-hell","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell.jpg","width":1920,"height":1261,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-300x197.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":197,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-768x504.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":504,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-1024x673.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":673,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1009,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1261,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-1200x788.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":788,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez32-heaven-hell-639x420.jpg","home_baner-width":639,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"32","chapter_main_number":"484","date":"20270707","wall_id":"484"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":14,"id":"74919","color":"#f7e9e9","size":"1","name":"Ezekiel The Watchman ","post_title":"Ezekiel The Watchman","slug":"ezekiel-the-watchman","old_id":"74919","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"485","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Failing to perform his assigned function - he becomes culpable for the sins of others\u00a0\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Our chapter begins the third major section of the Book of Ezekiel, which includes oracles of restoration along with more oracles against foreign nations. At the beginning of our chapter, Ezekiel is recommissioned as God\u2019s \u201cwatchman\u201d (<\/span>tzofeh<\/span><\/em>) for the House of Israel: \u201cNow, O mortal, I have appointed you a watchman for the House of Israel. And whenever you hear a message from My mouth, you must transmit My warning to them\u201d (33:7). Here the prophet\u2019s commission is being renewed (see 3:17). Elsewhere a \u201cwatchman\u201d is described as walking on the roof of the gate of the city wall or on a tower to call down a report of anyone approaching (see 2 Samuel 18:24-27, 2 Kings 9:17). In our Chapter, Ezekiel, the prophetic watchman, is equipped with a shofar with which to sound a warning to the people. If the watchman fails to sound the shofar when he sees danger approaching, the watchman will be destroyed by God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Midrash Sifre Devarim Pisqa 13 elaborates on the watchman\u2019s responsibility and culpability if he fails to perform his assigned function. \u201cAnd I will appoint them as your heads -- ve-asimem be-roshekhem (Deuteronomy 1:13) can be read as \u201ctheir guilt is upon your heads \u2013 ve-ashamam be-roshekhem\u201d. This teaches that Israel\u2019s guilt hangs on the heads of their judges if they have not sufficiently warned Israel. As God said to Ezekiel: \u201c...[if] you have not spoken to warn the wicked man against his way, he, that wicked man, shall die for his sins, but I will demand a reckoning for his blood from you\u201d (Ezekiel 33:7-8).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Midrash Pesiqta de-Rav Kahana Shuvah (24:1) preserves a parable about the importance of \u201cearly warning\u201d. An old man raised the warning of approaching foreign forces. Those who heeded the warning were saved, but those who ignored the warning were killed. As God says to Ezekiel: \u201cI have appointed you a watchman for the House of Israel\u2026if you have warned the wicked man to turn back from his way, and he has not turned from his way, he shall die for his own sins\u2026\u201d (Ezekiel 33:7-9). Similarly, \u201cShall a shofar be sounded in a city, and the people not tremble?\u201d (Amos 3:6). This refers to the shofar sounded on Rosh HaShanah causing Israel to tremble. For \u201cCan misfortune come to a city, if the Lord has not caused it?\u201d (Amos 3:6). But, the Holy One, blessed be He, does not seek the death of the wicked, as God instructs Ezekiel to say to Israel: \u201cAs I live\u2014declares the Lord God\u2014it is not My desire that the wicked shall die, but that the wicked turn from his [evil] ways and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, that you may not die, O House of Israel!\u201d (Ezekiel 33:11).<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":74927,"alt":"","title":"ez33-watchman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman.jpg","width":934,"height":1373,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-204x300.jpg","medium-width":204,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-697x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":697,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-697x1024.jpg","large-width":697,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman.jpg","1536x1536-width":934,"1536x1536-height":1373,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman.jpg","2048x2048-width":934,"2048x2048-height":1373,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-816x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":816,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-286x420.jpg","home_baner-width":286,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Ezekiel The Watchman","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Failing to perform his assigned function - he becomes culpable for the sins of others\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":74927,"alt":"","title":"ez33-watchman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman.jpg","width":934,"height":1373,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-204x300.jpg","medium-width":204,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-697x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":697,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-697x1024.jpg","large-width":697,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman.jpg","1536x1536-width":934,"1536x1536-height":1373,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman.jpg","2048x2048-width":934,"2048x2048-height":1373,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-816x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":816,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-watchman-286x420.jpg","home_baner-width":286,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"33","chapter_main_number":"485","date":"20270708","wall_id":"485"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":15,"id":"74931","color":"#eceffa","size":"1","name":"Do We Possess Free Will To Change Immutable Decrees? ","post_title":"Do We Possess Free Will To Change Immutable Decrees?","slug":"do-we-possess-free-will-to-change-immutable-decrees","old_id":"74931","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46656,"post_title":"Molly Morris","slug":"molly-morris","old_id":"46656","first_name":"Molly ","last_name":"Morris ","description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"485","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Resolving some challenging contradictions\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The parable of the watchman in Ezekiel Chapter 33 speaks to a tension between divine providence and free will. Ezekiel is speaking to those of the Jewish nation remaining in Jerusalem (after the majority have been exiled to Babylonia) and relates a prophetic parable about action, consequences and responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

God has made it abundantly clear that the nation has transgressed, and the consequence is exile and the destruction of Jerusalem, along with those transgressors who remain. And yet, God has Ezekiel relate a prophecy in which Ezekiel is cast as a watchman over the city, warning the residents of imminent attack. If God has already decreed the end result, then why bother with a warning?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabbi Gideon Rothstein (OU Torah) points out that the Ramban (Nachmanides) provided an idea that warning people of God\u2019s plan refers specifically to when human lives are at stake. In the story of the ten plagues on Egypt, only some of the plagues were preceded by a warning to Pharaoh. Those plagues that came with no warning (namely lice, boils and darkness) were not a direct threat to human life. Furthermore, whenever there was a warning, it was coupled with an \u201cunless\u201d statement. In the case of the plagues the warning included \u201cunless you, Pharaoh, let my people go.\u201d In the case of Ezekiel\u2019s warning the underlying message is \u201cunless you repent and change your ways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

We are told in this prophecy that the demise of the people is unequivocally a result of their own transgressions. But the responsibility to warn is so imperative that the prophecy also includes the indictment that should the watchman fail to warn the residents of an impending attack, some blame for the outcome also lies on the head of the watchman. We cannot change God\u2019s edict, but we are responsible for doing whatever is in our power to change the need to enact it. The purpose of Ezekiel\u2019s warning was to provide a pathway to redemption, so that this decree of death and destruction could be circumvented.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The parable is followed by God\u2019s reminder that \u201cif a wicked person turns back from his wickedness and acts with justice and righteousness, he shall live\u201d (33:19). God\u2019s decree of punishment for the transgressions at hand is irrevocable, but humans, with each others\u2019 help, have the free will to repent, and thus nullify their transgressions and void the decree.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":74933,"alt":"","title":"ez33-change","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change.jpg","width":1920,"height":678,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-300x106.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":106,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-768x271.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":271,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-1024x362.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":362,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":542,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":678,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-1200x424.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":424,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-1189x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1189,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Do We Possess Free Will To Change Immutable Decrees?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Resolving some challenging contradictions","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":74933,"alt":"","title":"ez33-change","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change.jpg","width":1920,"height":678,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-300x106.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":106,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-768x271.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":271,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-1024x362.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":362,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":542,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":678,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-1200x424.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":424,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-change-1189x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1189,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"33","chapter_main_number":"485","date":"20270708","wall_id":"485"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":16,"id":"74960","color":"#f7f7f5","size":"1","name":"Turn Back, Turn Back! ","post_title":"Turn Back, Turn Back!","slug":"turn-back-turn-back","old_id":"74960","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":62571,"post_title":"Yaakov Bieler","slug":"yaakov-bieler","old_id":"62571","first_name":"Yaakov ","last_name":"Bieler ","description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University in 1974. He has lectured and written extensively on Modern Orthodoxy, and blogs daily at https:\/\/yaakovbieler.wordpress.com ","short_description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":62572,"alt":"","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","width":141,"height":180,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler-141x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":141,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium-width":141,"medium-height":180,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium_large-width":141,"medium_large-height":180,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","large-width":141,"large-height":180,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","1536x1536-width":141,"1536x1536-height":180,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","2048x2048-width":141,"2048x2048-height":180,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","post_full_size-width":141,"post_full_size-height":180,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","home_baner-width":141,"home_baner-height":180}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"485","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"But the people think they are in the right, and will ignore him, only to realize once it\u2019s too late\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The metaphor that the prophet employs in the first portion of chapter 33 is that of a watchman who sees danger approaching and whose responsibility it is to warn individuals who are potentially under threat. Verse 7 states how this parable applies directly to the personal situation of Ezekiel, and for that matter, that of any true prophet:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cNow, O mortal, I have appointed you a watchman for the House of Israel; and whenever you hear a message from My Mouth, you must transmit My warning to them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Failure to deliver the message, however unpopular confronting evil-doers in this manner may prove to be, places the prophet into the category of \u201c<\/span>koveish et nevuato<\/span><\/em>\u201d (\u201cone who squelches his prophecy\u201d), and for whom dire consequences are prescribed, not unlike what is stated in Ezekiel 33:6, 8 itself: \u201cA person who is \u201c<\/span>koveish et nevuato<\/span><\/em>\u201d\u2026 his death will be by the hand of Heaven, as it is said: (Deuteronomy 18:19) \u201c\u2026And I will demand it of him\u201d (Mishna Sanhedrin 11:5, Bavli Sanhedrin 89a).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But a significant difference regarding God\u2019s \u201cwatchmen\u201d when compared to others assigned such a role, is that the former\u2019s aim is not simply to clearly warn individuals marked for potential destruction of impending danger, but to get them to actually change their ways. (see Jonah 3-4). In the most famous verse of the chapter, a reprise of Ezekiel 18:32, God states his overall intention: \u201cAs I live\u2014declares the Lord GOD\u2014it is not My desire that the wicked shall die, but that the wicked turn from his [evil] ways and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, that you may not die, O House of Israel!\u201d (verse 11).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Unfortunately, no one wants to change; but the prophet proclaims God\u2019s expectations, regardless of what others consider \u201cfair\u201d or \u201cunfair\u201d (v. 20).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While verse 11 is extremely similar to 18:32, there is a key difference in word selection. In 33:11, the phrase is \u201c<\/span>bemot harasha<\/span><\/em>\u201d (that the wicked shall die\u2026), whereas in 18:32 the text reads: \u201cbemot hameit\u201d (that the dead shall die). Yerushalmi Berachot 2:3 asks the obvious question: \u201cCan the (already) dead, die?\u201d and responds, \u201cEvil-doers, even during their lifetimes, are referred to as (spiritually) dead,\u201d a sort of metaphysical \u201cdead man walking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The middle section of chapter 33 (verses 21-9) is directed at the Jewish people dwelling in the land of Israel, apparently believing that their claim to the land is sacrosanct, regardless of how immorally they may be conducting their lives. God charges the prophet to tell the people that they are in for a rude awakening, should their transgressing continue.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The chapter concludes with Ezekiel being told to expect his predictions to be ignored, again like so many other prophets, with the people treating him as little more than a source of rude entertainment rather than a harbinger of the truth, something they will realize only once it is too late.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Turn Back, Turn Back!","tile_main_caption":"But the people think they are in the right, and will ignore him, only to realize once it\u2019s too late","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"33","chapter_main_number":"485","date":"20270708","wall_id":"485"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":17,"id":"74935","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"Ezekiel The Individualist ","post_title":"Ezekiel The Individualist","slug":"ezekiel-the-individualist","old_id":"74935","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":64460,"post_title":"Vincent Calabrese","slug":"vincent-calabrese","old_id":"64460","first_name":"Vincent ","last_name":"Calabrese ","description":"Vincent Calabrese is a doctoral student in Jewish thought at the University of Toronto and a rabbinical student at the Hadar Institute","short_description":"Vincent Calabrese is a doctoral student in Jewish thought at the University of Toronto and a rabbinical student at the Hadar Institute","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":64461,"alt":"","title":"vincent calabrese","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese.jpg","width":2117,"height":2504,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese-254x300.jpg","medium-width":254,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese-768x908.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":908,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese-866x1024.jpg","large-width":866,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese.jpg","1536x1536-width":1299,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese.jpg","2048x2048-width":1731,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese-1015x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1015,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/vincent-calabrese-355x420.jpg","home_baner-width":355,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"485","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"He doesn\u2019t care who your daddy was\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

One of the ideas which pervades Jewish liturgy is that of <\/span>zechut avot <\/span><\/i>\u2014 the merit of the ancestors. This idea appears in the most quotidian and the most dramatic moments of our prayers: we begin the daily <\/span>amidah <\/span><\/i>by invoking \u201cour God and the God of our fathers: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob\u201d; and in the fraught climax of the Rosh Hashanah liturgy we implore God to remember the extraordinary merit of Abraham, willing to offer his precious son up to God, and to judge us favorably on Abraham\u2019s account. This positive, constitutive connection with the deeds of our ancestors is one of the most enduring themes of Jewish thought. Even those who may not feel particularly \u2018religious\u2019 are often reluctant to discard their connection to the Jewish tradition at least in part because this sense of an ancestral claim is so deeply resonant.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A moment in the 33rd chapter of Ezekiel seems to call this entire way of thinking into question. Israelites remaining in the land connect their claim of sovereignty \u2014 unchanged, in their view, by the political reality of Babylonian rule \u2014 to the merit of Abraham. \u201cAbraham was but one man,\u201d they say, \u201cyet he was granted possession of the land. We are many; surely, the land has been given as a possession to us\u201d (verse 24). The prophet, in turn, forcefully rejects the arrogance which he sees as animating this claim: \u201cYou have relied on your sword, you have committed abominations, you have all defiled other men\u2019s wives\u2014yet you expect to possess the land!\u201d (verse 26). Whether the remaining Israelites have a claim on the land of Canaan depends not on the merit of their ancestor, but on their own conduct, which is sorely lacking.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This shocking rejection of the doctrine of <\/span>zechut avot <\/span><\/i>is perhaps but the most climactic moment of a tendency to be found throughout the Book of Ezekiel. Again and again in Ezekiel\u2019s prophecies we find a moral theory which is both individualist and perfectionist: \u201cThe righteousness of the righteous shall not save him when he transgresses, nor shall the wickedness of the wicked cause him to stumble when he turns back from his wickedness. The righteous shall not survive through his righteousness when he sins\u201d (33:12). Each person\u2019s relationship to God is considered individually, rather than as a part of the people, and Ezekiel places demands on the individual which seem impossibly strict \u2014 we are all on a narrow bridge, and not only are the deeds of the ancestors of no help, even our own past merits are irrelevant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Generally speaking, Ezekiel\u2019s ethics have not furnished the lines along which most Jewish moral thinking, which stresses the importance of the collective, has developed. But his doctrine offers a stark challenge to the ways in which this corporate morality can so often serve as a source of excuses and a means of avoiding difficult questions about our own conduct.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":74937,"alt":"","title":"ez33-difference","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference.jpg","width":1920,"height":1298,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-300x203.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":203,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-768x519.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":519,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-1024x692.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":692,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1038,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1298,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-1200x811.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":811,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-621x420.jpg","home_baner-width":621,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Ezekiel The Individualist","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"He doesn\u2019t care who your daddy was","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":74937,"alt":"","title":"ez33-difference","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference.jpg","width":1920,"height":1298,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-300x203.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":203,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-768x519.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":519,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-1024x692.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":692,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1038,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1298,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-1200x811.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":811,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ez33-difference-621x420.jpg","home_baner-width":621,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"Ezekiel","chapter":"33","chapter_main_number":"485","date":"20270708","wall_id":"485"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":"","link_teaser":"","listen_link":"","other_title":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/74461"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}