This is the model for Source Sheet #1
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, 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)
(ט) וַיִּקַּ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת־הַמַּטֶּ֖ה מִלִּפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּֽהוּ׃ (י) וַיַּקְהִ֜לוּ מֹשֶׁ֧ה וְאַהֲרֹ֛ן אֶת־הַקָּהָ֖ל אֶל־פְּנֵ֣י הַסָּ֑לַע וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם שִׁמְעוּ־נָא֙ הַמֹּרִ֔ים הֲמִן־הַסֶּ֣לַע הַזֶּ֔ה נוֹצִ֥יא לָכֶ֖ם מָֽיִם׃ (יא) וַיָּ֨רֶם מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־יָד֗וֹ וַיַּ֧ךְ אֶת־הַסֶּ֛לַע בְּמַטֵּ֖הוּ פַּעֲמָ֑יִם וַיֵּצְאוּ֙ מַ֣יִם רַבִּ֔ים וַתֵּ֥שְׁתְּ הָעֵדָ֖ה וּבְעִירָֽם׃ (ס)
(9) And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as He commanded him. (10) And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said unto them: ‘Hear now, ye rebels; are we to bring you forth water out of this rock?’ (11) And Moses lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their cattle.
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?
During this period in time, the Jews had escaped from slavery and they were wandering the desert in search for resources to stay alive. This text is important because it teaches the principles of patience and trust. At this time Moses and God's relationship was not fully developed for Moses to trust God completely. Also, the people in the desert were relying on Moses and Aaron to keep them safe.
During this period in time, the Jews had escaped from slavery and they were wandering the desert in search for resources to stay alive. This text is important because it teaches the principles of patience and trust. At this time Moses and God's relationship was not fully developed for Moses to trust God completely. Also, the people in the desert were relying on Moses and Aaron to keep them safe.
20:11 Water came out: For the first time in the Bible, a human has changed a miracle. This is an all important step in a gradual shift in the balance of control of miraculous phenomena in the Tanach. Adam, Noah, Abraham and Isaac perform no miracles. But Jacob manipulates the coloring of Laban's flock. Then Joseph interprets dreams. Then Moses and Aaron perform God's miracles. And now Moses changes a miracle. This shift will continue in the biblical books that follow the Torah, and it is one of the central developments of the Bible: Joshua will call for the sun to stand still in the skies. By calling for a miracle on his own, without direction from God, he goes even further than Moses. Later, Samson has powers implanted in him at birth, so that he is free to use them as he wishes all his life. Later, still, Elijah and Elisha use miracles for a variety of personal purposes. It appears that, starting with Moses, God is entrusting humans with even more responsibility and control in their destiny. By the end of the Tanach, miracles cease. Humans are forced to grow up and become more self reliant. (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? What is the important new question or meaning that the midrash added to the pshat?
This midrash is very meaningful to me because it talks about how Moses changed a miracle and how he was the first to do it. God gave Moses the most power out of everyone and this was proven when Moses changed a miracle. Although he did not follow God's exact orders he still got what he and the people wanted. This midrash adds a positive view to the pshat because of its ability to look at the good that came out of this text. Without this midrash I would have thought that Moses was a poor listener and disobedient but this midrash changed my view about his actions.
This midrash is very meaningful to me because it talks about how Moses changed a miracle and how he was the first to do it. God gave Moses the most power out of everyone and this was proven when Moses changed a miracle. Although he did not follow God's exact orders he still got what he and the people wanted. This midrash adds a positive view to the pshat because of its ability to look at the good that came out of this text. Without this midrash I would have thought that Moses was a poor listener and disobedient but this midrash changed my view about his actions.
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.
After all the tragedies that had hit the community, the community had no water and the city had become dry. As the connection to God, Moses was in power, so therefore he was being blamed for this. Moses was told to speak to a rock and from this rock water would come. Moses had chosen to go against what God said by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. Moses showed weakness in faith by striking the rock because he did not trust God's word. Moses had tried to show his independence by attempting to change a miracle, and with this attempt God granted independence to Moses. With doing this Moses showed insecurity within himself so he felt the need to assert his power by disobeying God and violently hitting the rock. This can relate to my life because when I lose faith in things it brings down my confidence. When I lose my confidence I become insecure on the inside. This story further reminds me of my life because when I get mad my physical actions seem to be more ambitious. If this miracle had not occurred Moses would have been disrespected by his people and would have lost all his confidence and turned in to nothing. In this situation God showed mercy on Moses by allowing the water to flow. By doing this God helped Moses sustain his power. Miracles appear every once in a while in to my life and it is these miracles that lift my spirits and make me confident. To conclude, this story teaches multiple lessons and it is overall one of my favorite stories.
After all the tragedies that had hit the community, the community had no water and the city had become dry. As the connection to God, Moses was in power, so therefore he was being blamed for this. Moses was told to speak to a rock and from this rock water would come. Moses had chosen to go against what God said by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. Moses showed weakness in faith by striking the rock because he did not trust God's word. Moses had tried to show his independence by attempting to change a miracle, and with this attempt God granted independence to Moses. With doing this Moses showed insecurity within himself so he felt the need to assert his power by disobeying God and violently hitting the rock. This can relate to my life because when I lose faith in things it brings down my confidence. When I lose my confidence I become insecure on the inside. This story further reminds me of my life because when I get mad my physical actions seem to be more ambitious. If this miracle had not occurred Moses would have been disrespected by his people and would have lost all his confidence and turned in to nothing. In this situation God showed mercy on Moses by allowing the water to flow. By doing this God helped Moses sustain his power. Miracles appear every once in a while in to my life and it is these miracles that lift my spirits and make me confident. To conclude, this story teaches multiple lessons and it is overall one of my favorite stories.