One, using "pshat" and "midrash" that we have studied in class.
Use either the Bamidbar (The Scouts or Moses Strikes the Rock)
or Vayikra (Holiness Codes Texts)
One, from Shmot or Devarim, where you will use the pshat that we have studied,
a midrash that you must find, and your own personal midrash.
Use either the Bamidbar (The Scouts or Moses Strikes the Rock)
or Vayikra (Holiness Codes Texts)
One, from Shmot or Devarim, where you will use the pshat that we have studied,
a midrash that you must find, and your own personal midrash.
Add the "pshat text" (2 or 3 pasukim) that you will be creating this Source Sheet for here. Add the text in both Hebrew and English (in Sefaria). From the + (blue circle, press add and then type in the book, perek and pasuk (i.e. Breisheet 1:1 or Shemot 2:2)
(טו) וְהֵמַתָּ֛ה אֶת־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּ֖ה כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמְע֥וּ אֶֽת־שִׁמְעֲךָ֖ לֵאמֹֽר׃ (טז) מִבִּלְתִּ֞י יְכֹ֣לֶת יְהוָ֗ה לְהָבִיא֙ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֣ע לָהֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁחָטֵ֖ם בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ (יז) וְעַתָּ֕ה יִגְדַּל־נָ֖א כֹּ֣חַ אֲדֹנָ֑י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ לֵאמֹֽר׃
(15) now if Thou shalt kill this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of Thee will speak, saying: (16) Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which He swore unto them, therefore He hath slain them in the wilderness. (17) And now, I pray Thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according as Thou hast spoken, saying:
Context: Explain where this text comes within the story of Torah. What is important about this "pshat"? What is the contextual meaning of your text that is important?
This pshat is important because it talks about what makes God who he, and why he is able to tell us what to do. It creates credibility for God, and without it, the rest of the Torah would just be laws we have no reason to follow. In this text we learn why we should listen to God, and why he should be important in our lives. Moses brings up the idea that God is omnipotent because of his ability to forgive his people. This idea that without the power to forgive above all else, God would not be the divine power that he is, made me think about how this applies to my life. Moses uses his knowledge that God wants to be perceived as a kind and loving divine power, as a way to show him that he is being too harsh on the Jewish people.
Type in the commentary/midrash here that you think is a really great commentary. Be sure to include who the author of the commentary is.
14:17 let my Lord's power be great. Moses suggests that it is more powerful to be merciful than to punish. In some circumstances, compassion is weakness. In others, it requires enormous strength. (Richard Elliot Friedman)
Explain why you believe that the midrash that you chose is so meaningful or important. What does the midrash add to the pshat? Explain something about the commentator as part of this section.
I think this midrash is very meaningful because of the alternative perspective it provides for us to view God in. Usually, he is this great powerful being who will easily punish those who defy him, and I have a hard time connecting to someone like that. However, when Richard Elliot Friedman suggests that he is so powerful not because of his mercilessness, but because of his compassion. This helps me relate to God on a personal level and strengthen my bond with him. This commentary opened my eyes to see God in a different light, in a light of kindness and in a way that I can respect and love him more. Though he may sometimes seem harsh, this reminds us that he is only doing that out of love and the want for our best.
Type in your personal midrash here regarding this text here. Minimum of 250 words. Be sure to include how your study of the pshat and midrash could impact your life today, and why you chose this text from all of the choices that were available to you.
To me, this story is an example of how staying true to your beliefs can benefit yourself and others despite the adversity you may face, and that forgiveness is a powerful quality. This is the first story in the Torah we have learned about where arguing with God makes a difference in his situation and saves lives. After God offered Moses to be the new Noah, it would have been much easier for him to accept and start a new Jewish people. However, Moses decides to take the high road and argue with God, persuading him to do the right thing: to save the Jewish people rather than killing them off every time they do something wrong. Moses uses two main contentions to convince God; the first is what others will think of God, and the other is to remember that his power lies in his ability to forgive. From learning about this story, I took away many lessons that I can apply to my life. I learned that staying true to yourself is very important. Even when others around you are all doing one thing, it is important to do what you know is right. For example, Caleb and Joshua did not follow the crowd when the 10 other chieftains and the people didn't listen to God. Because they stayed loyal to God, they were rewarded with not being affected by the plague. If we listen to this lesson in our daily lives and only do what we know to be right rather than what everyone else is doing, we can better our lives. The other lesson this story teaches is to forgive others, no matter how wronged we feel. It is important to not let others affect us and our behavior, and to understand that people make mistakes. As long as they did not have malicious intents, letting things go can help both you have less stress in your life, and also can help others learn from their mistakes.