DOCSLIB.ORG

The Chosen People

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Chosen People THE CHOSEN PEOPLE ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS Prepared by Ner Le’Elef THE CHOSEN PEOPLE ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS Prepared by Ner Le’Elef Publication date 05 November 2007 Permission is granted to reproduce in part or in whole. Profits may not be gained from any such reproductions. This book is updated with each edition and is produced several times a year. Other Ner Le’Elef Booklets currently available: AMERICAN SOCIETY BOOK OF QUOTATIONS EVOLUTION HILCHOS MASHPIAH HOLOCAUST JEWISH MEDICAL ETHICS JEWISH RESOURCES LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ORAL LAW PROOFS QUESTION & ANSWERS SCIENCE AND JUDAISM SOURCES SUFFERING THIS WORLD & THE NEXT WOMEN’S ISSUES (Book One) WOMEN’S ISSUES (Book Two) For information on how to order additional booklets, please contact: Ner Le’Elef P.O. Box 14503 Jewish Quarter, Old City, Jerusalem 91145 E-mail: [email protected] Fax #: 972-02-653-6229 Tel #: 972-02-651-0825 Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW 7 SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR THE CHOSEN PEOPLE 8 CHAPTER A: THE FACT OF OUR CHOSEN-NESS 9 and is a central tenet of תנ”ך i- The fact of our chosen-ness is clear throughout Judaism ii- Our chosen-ness is proven by numerous things a- Our survival despite anti-Semitism, size and dispersion b- Anti-Semitism תורה c- Historical verification of the d- Fulfillment of prophecies iii- Jewish contribution to civilization CHAPTER B: HOW WE CAME TO BE CHOSEN, AND IS THAT FAIR? 29 i- Equality of opportunity ii- Judaic ideal: no chosen nation, all man chosen iii- G-d chose Abraham because Abraham chose G-d a- We had to prove ourselves over many generations b- Had we not made this commitment, the world would have been destroyed iv- Even then, up to and including Sinai, nations could still choose central spiritual role non-Jews not ;תורה a- However, Jews predisposed to accepting the was still made תורה שבכתב the ,תורה b- Even though non-Jews rejected the available to them as a non-binding document c- After Sinai, spirituality through the Jews any individual could join the nation ,סיני v- Even after vi- Even as gentiles, can still fulfill themselves as individuals is the only legitimate source of universal rights צלם אלוקים vii- Belief in CHAPTER C: CHOSEN FOR WHAT? 40 i- Chosen for responsibilities; enormous consequences for non-fulfillment; not privileged in the normal sense ii- The land of Israel: A case-study in responsibility a- Given conditionally b- Relatively small c- Warned not to enter other lands d- Ongoing miracle of the Land e- Miraculous return and survival in modern times iii- The existence of the world is dependent on someone accepting this responsibility iv- Caring for the broader mission of the world אור לגויים-a b- Concern for the spiritual fulfillment of the world v- Judaism recognizes that spiritual completion involves the whole world; Jews the heart, non-Jews the body Page 3 CHAPTER D: RACIAL TOLERANCE 49 i- Jews comprise a complete cross section of races ii- Anyone can convert iii- Only one parent (the mother) is required for status attitudinal - גר that apply to the מצוות -iv CHAPTER E: RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE 52 i- Limitations to tolerance and freedom a- Absolute values b- Caring c- Other freedoms d- Other values ii- Followers of religions which are Noachide-consistent get the World to Come stresses this in three places רמב"ם -a b- Minimum civilized standards c- Applications (Christianity and Islam) d- Therefore, we minimize proselytization CHAPTER F: RESPECT FOR OTHER NATIONS 59 i- Different nations have different spiritual input to (נצוצות קדושה) ii- Ideally, each nation would contribute its spiritual creativity the whole the Jewish nation must draw this into themselves ,משיח iii- In practice, until גרים a- Through and energy of that nation into the מדות b- Through incorporating the positive practice of their own Yiddishkeit CHAPTER G: LAWS THAT GOVERN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NON-JEW 63 i- Introduction ii- Discriminatory laws רבית -a שמיטה b- Claiming a loan after c- Compensation discrimination השבת אבידה -d שבת e- Saving a life on f- Revenge g- Judging in the best interests of the Jew לשון הרע -h iii- Separating laws כשרות -a b- Intermarriage חקת העכו"ם -c מילה -d קרבן פסח e- Not to participate in the f- Not to appoint a gentile king יין נסך -g iv- Equalizing laws חסד -a b- Contribution to society Page 4 לא תחנם -c שלום וכבוד -d e- Honesty APPENDIX A: ANTI-SEMITISM 79 i- 11th century until today a- Expulsions b- The Crusades c- Blood libels d- Book burning e- Spanish Inquisition f- Pale of Settlement g- Pogroms h- Cantonment i- Anti-Zionist j- Genocide ii- Recent anti-Semitism a- Black anti-Semitism b- Feminism c- Christianity moves away from anti-Semitism d- Anti-Israel and modern anti-Semitism e- The far right f- Russia iii- Statements against the Chosen Nation idea a- Jewish b- Non-Jewish APPENDIX B: SEVEN NOACHIDE LAWS 131 i- The seven laws ii- Seven roots – many branches iii- Other laws APPENDIX C: EXCEPTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 144 i- Introduction מצרי ואדומי -a מואבי, עמוני -b כנעני -c עמלקים -d מצרי, אדומי, עמוני ומואבי -ii עמלק וכנענים -iii כנענים and to evict/destroy the עמלק a- Reasons for the need to destroy כנענים b- Reasons for the today עמלק c- The status of כנענים d- Current status of the APPENDIX D: OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NON-JEWS 152 דינא דמלכותא דינא -i דרכי האמורי/חוקת העכו"ם -ii Page 5 APPENDIX E: MISCELLANEOUS 155 i- Language, phrases, quickies ii- Readings a- Primary b- Secondary c- The Noachide laws iii- Audio INDEX 159 Page 6 OVERVIEW When dealing with the Chosen People, there are basically four major themes: 1. The ‘proofs’ that we are chosen – the amazing fact that we survived at all; our contribution to civilization; the uniqueness of anti-Semitism and the accurate predictions of the prophecies concerning us. 2. Chosen for what? We were chosen for obligations, not privileges; at least not privileges in the earthly sense of the word. 3. Given that we are chosen, we nevertheless have a very sensitive and responsible attitude towards the nations and religions of the world. 4. How do we deal with Jewish laws that discriminate against non-Jews? There are extreme cases of this, such as the mitzvah to kill Amalek; but there are also milder cases of discrimination, the most problematic of which is the prohibition to save a non-Jewish life on Shabbos. Page 7 SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR THE CHOSEN PEOPLE A- THE PRIMARY ARGUMENT 1- The fact of our chosen-ness: The four proofs of this (Chapter A) 2- Judaism believes in: (i) Equality of opportunity (Chapter B I V ii) (ii) Universalism (Chapter B ii) GIVEN THIS: 1- How did it happen that we came to be chosen? (Chapter B, iii-iv) 2- What were we chosen for? 3- What is our attitude to non-Jews? (i) How does the non-Jew fulfill himself? • Noachide laws (Chapter B vi, E ii) (Chapter B v; D iii-iv; F iii) גרות • • National and religious spirituality (Chapter F i and ii) (ii) Our obligation: (Chapter C iv) תקון עולם - Chosen-ness for the sake of the world • • Concern for spiritual fulfillment of the world (Chapter C v-vi) B- QUESTIONS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION:1 1- Racial (Chapter D) 2- National (Chapter F) 3- Religious (Chapter E) (Chapter G)מצוות Specific 4- 5- Why can the Jews not be un-chosen? (Chapter C ii, Appendix E iv) :that can be culled from these notes שעורים Suggested additional (See Index at back for more titles) ANTI-SEMITISM A ii c and Appendix A THE LAND OF ISRAEL C iii ISSUES OF EQUALITY E i (can also be used for women’s issues) Equality B Freedom and equality D ii, Appendix F viii NOACHIDE LAWS Appendix B THE ROLE OF NON-JEWS IN THE WORLD B ii, iv-vi; C vi DISCRIMINATORY LAWS G TOLERANCE D, E, F Absolute vs. relative values in particular E i, Appendix F in particular vii-ix UNIVERSALISM B iv; C v-vi; F PROOFS OF THE TORAH A ii (briefly referred to here; to be dealt with more extensively in a subsequent booklet) ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Many people don’t include this selection in a shiur on the Chosen People. However, these issues often come up during question time. Page 8 CHAPTER A: THE FACT OF OUR CHOSEN-NESS and is a central tenet of תנ”ך i- The fact of our chosen-ness is clear throughout Judaism ii- Our chosen-ness is proven by numerous things: a- Our survival despite anti-Semitism, size and dispersion 1- Miracle within miracle #1: Our size 2- Miracle within miracle #2: Dispersion 3- Miracle within miracle #3: Repetition of the miracles 4- Survival for a purpose b- Anti-Semitism תורה c- Historical verification of the 1- The Jews were historically hugely skeptical and therefore demanded a high level of proof 2- No other nation even attempted to make such a claim 3- The revelation was in front of the whole nation 4- The revelation was supported by miracles, which were characterized by unique factors d- Fulfillment of prophecies iii- Jewish contribution to civilization Page 9 CHAPTER A: THE FACT OF OUR CHOSENNESS In numerous .תנ”ך The reality of the Jews as the Chosen Nation is clear throughout .states that the Jewish Nation is separate, holy and G-d's treasured nation2 תורה places the תפילה This concept is also a central tenet of Judaism, as we see it displayed in many parts of and Jewish customs3.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • American Society
    AMERICAN SOCIETY Prepared By Ner Le’Elef AMERICAN SOCIETY Prepared by Ner LeElef Publication date 04 November 2007 Permission is granted to reproduce in part or in whole. Profits may not be gained from any such reproductions. This book is updated with each edition and is produced several times a year. Other Ner LeElef Booklets currently available: BOOK OF QUOTATIONS EVOLUTION HILCHOS MASHPIAH HOLOCAUST JEWISH MEDICAL ETHICS JEWISH RESOURCES LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT ORAL LAW PROOFS QUESTION & ANSWERS SCIENCE AND JUDAISM SOURCES SUFFERING THE CHOSEN PEOPLE THIS WORLD & THE NEXT WOMEN’S ISSUES (Book One) WOMEN’S ISSUES (Book Two) For information on how to order additional booklets, please contact: Ner Le’Elef P.O. Box 14503 Jewish quarter, Old City, Jerusalem, 91145 E-mail: [email protected] Fax #: 972-02-653-6229 Tel #: 972-02-651-0825 Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: PRINCIPLES AND CORE VALUES 5 i- Introduction 6 ii- Underlying ethical principles 10 iii- Do not do what is hateful – The Harm Principle 12 iv- Basic human rights; democracy 14 v- Equality 16 vi- Absolute equality is discriminatory 18 vii- Rights and duties 20 viii- Tolerance – relative morality 22 ix- Freedom and immaturity 32 x- Capitalism – The Great American Dream 38 a- Globalization 40 b- The Great American Dream 40 xi- Protection, litigation and victimization 42 xii- Secular Humanism/reason/Western intellectuals 44 CHAPTER TWO: SOCIETY AND LIFESTYLE 54 i- Materialism 55 ii- Religion 63 a- How religious is America? 63 b- Separation of church and state: government
    [Show full text]
  • ******Winter Pdf Page
    “the comforter.” All his life, my father quence quelled the rebellion, and he when it was my father’s turn to drive, Working with his close friend, Eliyahu kept a framed photograph of the Imrei remained in Danville for three more he was determined to get the children Kitov, he translated two of Kitov’s clas- Emes on his desk. years. Many of his congregants became to school on time, despite a terrible sic books, A Jew and His Home and The lifelong friends and loyalists. A surpris- pain in his side. In Norfolk, my father Book of Our Heritage. My father’s final ing number of Danville children were collapsed with what proved to be a resting place is on Har HaMenuchos, “Daddy, tell us again about inspired by my father to pursue careers ruptured appendix. The other father near that of his beloved friend. the shtetl where you grew up,” my sib- in kiruv, chinuch and the rabbinate. made no more threats, and all his chil- My youngest brother was born just lings and I used to joke. We knew our After leaving Danville, my father dren grew up to build Torah-true before the Six Day War, and soon after father was American-born, and he spoke served as YU’s mashgiach ruchani (spiri- homes. that my father became the rabbi of the English eloquently. Yet there was always tual advisor) for a short time. My father The following year, my father started Young Israel of Far Rockaway, a post something of the foreigner about him. ultimately moved away from the YU a day school in Newport News.
    [Show full text]
  • Daf Yomi Summary Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech 5780 ??- ?? ??????? EDITIO N: 32
    ?''? ? daf yomi summary parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech 5780 ??- ?? ??????? EDITIO N: 32 reflect a meaningful reduction. DO N'T WASTE A MO MENT The Talmud then moves back to a larger discussion which raises the idea of intention, a theme which dominated M asechet Shabbat. THANKS TO GREG NARUNSKY One can only carry in an enclosed area if the fence/wall was built with intention for a residential area. The idea of defining an area as private property leads to another conversation regarding land The Gemara relates on Daf 28b that when Rebbi Zeira became ownership of a convert. The issue surrounds the problem of what exhausted from his studies he would go and sit near the entrance of happens to land after a convert dies. When a Jew from birth passes, Rav Yehuda Bar Ami?s yeshiva so that when the Torah scholars came the land is automatically transferred to the next of kin. However, in and went from the yeshiva he would be able to stand for them. some instances, a convert?s land becomes ownerless. Anyone can Rebbi Zeira relates that he did this so that even if he couldn?t study come and claim it. because of exhaustion he was at least able to receive reward by To acquire a convert?s land one must make a direct improvement in rising for the Torah scholars. [We learn the obligation to rise for a the land. Plowing is an immediate benefit to the land and supersedes Torah scholar from a verse in Vayikra 19:32 which says: You shall rise the act of sowing and building a fence.
    [Show full text]
  • Alasdair Gray and the Postmodern
    ALASDAIR GRAY AND THE POSTMODERN Neil James Rhind PhD in English Literature The University Of Edinburgh 2008 2 DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis has been composed by me; that it is entirely my own work, and that it has not been submitted for any other degree or professional qualification except as specified on the title page. Signed: Neil James Rhind 3 CONTENTS Title……………………………………….…………………………………………..1 Declaration……………………………….…………………………………………...2 Contents………………………………………………………………………………3 Abstract………………………………….………………………………..…………..4 Note on Abbreviations…………………………………………………………….….6 1. Alasdair Gray : Sick of Being A Postmodernist……………………………..…….7 2. The Generic Blending of Lanark and the Birth of Postmodern Glasgow…….…..60 3. RHETORIC RULES, OK? : 1982, Janine and selected shorter novels………….122 4. Reforming The Victorians: Poor Things and Postmodern History………………170 5. After Postmodernism? : A History Maker………………………………………….239 6. Conclusion: Reading Postmodernism in Gray…………………………………....303 Endnotes……………………………………………………………………………..320 Works Cited………………………………………………………………………….324 4 ABSTRACT The prominence of the term ‘Postmodernism’ in critical responses to the work of Alasdair Gray has often appeared at odds with Gray’s own writing, both in his commitment to seemingly non-postmodernist concerns and his own repeatedly stated rejection of the label. In order to better understand Gray’s relationship to postmodernism, this thesis begins by outlining Gray’s reservations in this regard. Principally, this is taken as the result of his concerns
    [Show full text]
  • Ihlen (2004) Rhetoric and Resources
    For my parents Abstract The aim of this dissertation is to discuss the influence that organizations have on public policies through their rhetoric and use of resources. The empirical focus is on public relations strategies regarding the public policy area on energy and the environment. Two case studies are conducted, centering on what have been the two most controversial environmental conflicts in Norway; the first concerns a hydroelectric development and the second relates to the building of gas-fired power plants. The environmentalists lost the first conflict, whereas the latter plants have still not been built. The theoretical starting point for the dissertation is within the realm of rhetorical studies of public relations, but it is argued that these studies have seldom contained specific suggestions for how to go about broad-based analyses. Furthermore, it is claimed that the studies have remained ontologically underdeveloped, which means that they do not offer analytical frameworks that make it possible to account adequately for organizational actors’ influence on, for instance, matters of public policy. The dissertation thus contains a suggestion for a heuristic analytical device drawing on a wide range of rhetorical concepts, combined with a sociological analysis of resources like economic capital, degree of institutionalization, knowledge, networks, and social standing. Historical reconstructions are made of the two cases. The research material is a sample of public relations material from the organizational actors, including brochures and advertisements, but also other texts, such as applications for building permits, and comments made to newspapers. Furthermore, qualitative interviews were conducted with representatives of the organizations involved.
    [Show full text]
  • A Memorial Tribute on the First Yahrzeit
    THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET • www.OHR.Edu O H R N E T SHAbbAT PARSHAT SHEMINI • 20 AdAR II 5774 - MAR. 22, 2014 • VOl. 21 NO. 26 parsha INsIGhTs The prose aNd The passIoN “...a strange fire” (10:1) verything in this world is a physical parable of a spiritu - The halacha is our boundary, and even when one has al reality. Take the computer for example. The entire great passion to seek G-d, one must respect those bound - E“miracle” of the computer is based on the numbers ‘1’ aries. Rabbi Soleveitchik once said that if G-d had not given and ‘0’ placed in ever more complicated and elaborate us explicit permission we would not even be able to pray to sequences. If there’s a ‘0’ where there should be a ‘1’ or vice Him. What arrogance would it be for us to approach G-d? versa, even the simplest program will just not run. It will However, G-d not only allows, but even desires our prayers. probably send one of those delightful error messages like, Still, we must respect the distance that exists between us “Would you like to debug now?” No thank you, I’d like to fin - and G-d. ish this article which is already late! The desire for spirituality is often impatient with details, It’s not immediately apparent but serving G-d is some - rules, regulations and procedures. In looking at the big pic - what like a computer program. ture one might feel that paying attention to the small details In this week’s Torah portion the joyous event of the ded - is just not very important and even distracting.
    [Show full text]
  • Knessia Gedolah Diary
    THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN 0021-6615) is published monthly, in this issue ... except July and August, by the Agudath lsrael of Ameri.ca, 5 Beekman Street, New York, N.Y. The Sixth Knessia Gedolah of Agudath Israel . 3 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription Knessia Gedolah Diary . 5 $9.00 per year; two years, $17.50, Rabbi Elazar Shach K"ti•?111: The Essence of Kial Yisroel 13 three years, $25.00; outside of the United States, $10.00 per year Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky K"ti•?111: Blessings of "Shalom" 16 Single copy, $1.25 Printed in the U.S.A. What is an Agudist . 17 Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman K"ti•?111: RABBI NISSON WotP!N Editor An Agenda of Restraint and Vigilance . 18 The Vizhnitzer Rebbe K"ti•'i111: Saving Our Children .19 Editorial Board Rabbi Shneur Kotler K"ti•'i111: DR. ERNST BODENHEIMER Chairman The Ability and the Imperative . 21 RABBI NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Helping Others Make it, Mordechai Arnon . 27 JOSEPH FRJEDENSON "Hereby Resolved .. Report and Evaluation . 31 RABBI MOSHE SHERER :'-a The Crooked Mirror, Menachem Lubinsky .39 THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not Discovering Eretz Yisroel, Nissan Wolpin .46 assume responsibility for the Kae;hrus of any product or ser­ Second Looks at the Jewish Scene vice advertised in its pages. Murder in Hebron, Violation in Jerusalem ..... 57 On Singing a Different Tune, Bernard Fryshman .ss FEB., 1980 VOL. XIV, NOS. 6-7 Letters to the Editor . • . 6 7 ___.., _____ -- -· - - The Jewish Observer I February, 1980 3 Expectations ran high, and rightfully so.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ATROCITY PARADIGM This Page Intentionally Left Blank the Atrocity Paradigm
    THE ATROCITY PARADIGM This page intentionally left blank The Atrocity Paradigm A Theory of Evil CLAUDIA CARD 1 2002 3 Oxford New York Auckland Bangkok Buenos Aires Cape Town Chennai Dar es Salaam Delhi Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kolkata Kuala Lumpur Melbourne Mexico City Mumbai Nairobi São Paulo Shanghai Singapore Taipei Tokyo Toronto and an associated company in Berlin Copyright © 2002 by Claudia Card Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 www.oup.com Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Oxford University Press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Card, Claudia. The atrocity paradigm : a theory of evil / Claudia Card. p. cm. ISBN 0-19-514508-9 1. Good and evil. I. Title. BJ1401 .C29 2002 170—dc21 2001036610 987654321 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper To my teachers, whose example and encouragement have elicited my best efforts: Ruby Healy Marquardt (1891–1976) Marjorie Glass Pinkerton Marcus George Singer John Rawls Lorna Smith Benjamin This page intentionally left blank Preface Four decades of philosophical work in ethics have engaged me with varieties of evil. It began with an undergraduate honors thesis on punishment, which was followed by a Ph.D. dissertation on that topic, essays on mercy and retribu- tion, and a grant to study the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Tanya Sources.Pdf
    The Way to the Tree of Life Jewish practice entails fulfilling many laws. Our diet is limited, our days to work are defined, and every aspect of life has governing directives. Is observance of all the laws easy? Is a perfectly righteous life close to our heart and near to our limbs? A righteous life seems to be an impossible goal! However, in the Torah, our great teacher Moshe, Moses, declared that perfect fulfillment of all religious law is very near and easy for each of us. Every word of the Torah rings true in every generation. Lesson one explores how the Tanya resolved these questions. It will shine a light on the infinite strength that is latent in each Jewish soul. When that unending holy desire emerges, observance becomes easy. Lesson One: The Infinite Strength of the Jewish Soul The title page of the Tanya states: A Collection of Teachings ספר PART ONE לקוטי אמרים חלק ראשון Titled הנקרא בשם The Book of the Beinonim ספר של בינונים Compiled from sacred books and Heavenly מלוקט מפי ספרים ומפי סופרים קדושי עליון נ״ע teachers, whose souls are in paradise; based מיוסד על פסוק כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו upon the verse, “For this matter is very near to לבאר היטב איך הוא קרוב מאד בדרך ארוכה וקצרה ”;you, it is in your mouth and heart to fulfill it בעזה״י and explaining clearly how, in both a long and short way, it is exceedingly near, with the aid of the Holy One, blessed be He. "1 of "393 The Way to the Tree of Life From the outset of his work therefore Rav Shneur Zalman made plain that the Tanya is a guide for those he called “beinonim.” Beinonim, derived from the Hebrew bein, which means “between,” are individuals who are in the middle, neither paragons of virtue, tzadikim, nor sinners, rishoim.
    [Show full text]
  • Overviewof the Daf Distictive INSIGHT REVIEW and Remember
    י"ז שבט תשע “ ו Wednesday, January 27 2016 גיטין מ “ ה OVERVIEW of the Daf Distictive INSIGHT 1) Selling a slave to someone who lives outside of Eretz Yisroel The omen of the advice of the dove אמר כנסת ישראל כיונה מתילא, שמע מינה מתרחיש לי ניסא (.cont) The Gemara explains why R’ Anan did not know in which case Shmuel ruled that the money must be returned and in which case he T he daughters of Rav Nachman were captured, and Rav Illish was ruled that it does not have to be returned. captured together with them. One day during their ordeal, Rav Illish R’ Yosef suggests a rationale why when a slave is sold to outside was sitting next to a man who understood the language of the birds. of Eretz Yisroel, the purchaser is penalized rather than the seller. When a raven told Rav Illish to flee his captors, Rav Illish did not Abaye unsuccessfully challenges this explanation. trust the bird’s message, as he knew that ravens lie. However, when a The Gemara retells an incident of a slave who fled from his own- dove came and told him to flee his captors, Rav Illish declared, “The er to Eretz Yisroel. congregation of Israel is compared to a dove,” and he took this as a This incident leads the Gemara into a discussion of the proper sign from the heavens that a miracle would occur and he would be interpretation of a pasuk in Devarim. able to escape, and he did. Another incident involving a slave that fled from his owner in The Torah prohibits relying on superstitions or heeding omens.
    [Show full text]
  • Scrolls of Love Ruth and the Song of Songs Scrolls of Love
    Edited by Peter S. Hawkins and Lesleigh Cushing Stahlberg Scrolls of Love ruth and the song of songs Scrolls of Love ................. 16151$ $$FM 10-13-06 10:48:57 PS PAGE i ................. 16151$ $$FM 10-13-06 10:48:57 PS PAGE ii Scrolls of Love reading ruth and the song of songs Edited by Peter S. Hawkins and Lesleigh Cushing Stahlberg FORDHAM UNIVERSITY PRESS New York / 2006 ................. 16151$ $$FM 10-13-06 10:49:01 PS PAGE iii Copyright ᭧ 2006 Fordham University Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, me- chanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Scrolls of love : reading Ruth and the Song of songs / edited by Peter S. Hawkins and Lesleigh Cushing Stahlberg.—1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8232-2571-2 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8232-2571-2 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978-0-8232-2526-2 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8232-2526-7 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Bible. O.T. Ruth—Criticism interpretation, etc. 2. Bible. O.T. Song of Solomon—Criticism, interpretation, etc. I. Hawkins, Peter S. II. Stahlberg, Lesleigh Cushing. BS1315.52.S37 2006 222Ј.3506—dc22 2006029474 Printed in the United States of America 08 07 06 5 4 3 2 1 First edition ................. 16151$ $$FM 10-13-06 10:49:01 PS PAGE iv For John Clayton (1943–2003), mentor and friend ................
    [Show full text]
  • Neverness by David Zindell "Neverness Is an Exceptional Feat of Both World-Creation and Storytelling: Grand in Scope, Vivid
    file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/David%20Zindell%20-%20Neverness.TXT Neverness by David Zindell "Neverness is an exceptional feat of both world-creation and storytelling: grand in scope, vivid in evocation, inventive in its sure-handed marshalling of far-future detail, and genuinely moving as a human document. This book suggests that Zindell has just embarked on a major career in science fiction. I applaud his accomplishment and look forward to following his growth." -Michael Bishop, author of No Enemy But Time, Ancient of Days and Blood on Arachne "David Zindell's first novel has the big screen splash and color of Jack Vance, but with an epic complexity. His feat of universe crafting propels him instantly into the big leagues with the likes of Frank Herbert and Ursula K. LeGuin" -Edward Bryant author of Cinnabar and Particle Theory NEVERNESS A novel by David Zindell Donald I. Fine, Inc. New York Copyright 1988 by David Zindell All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Published in the United States of America by Donald I. Fine, Inc., and in Canada by General Publishing Company Limited. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 87-45104 ISBN: 0-917657-97-7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Zindell, David Neverness. 1. Title. PS3576.15183N4 1988 813.54 87-45104 ISBN 0-917657-97-7 (all paper) Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper. The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources.
    [Show full text]