A thought on פרשת וזאת הברכה
"...sefunei temunei chol...""... what is buried, hiding in the sand..." (33:19)
Moshe Rabbeinu alludes to the Torah as a treasure hiding beneath the sands. The image is alluring and striking yet begs interpretation.
The Ralbag offers that something buried in the sand can lurk hidden for ages and ages yet be untarnished, unharmed and unstained. Once unearthed, it is as fresh and preserved as if it were new. It maintains its worth and value.
There are many faiths and doctrines which have come and gone. They have been lost to civilization and when unearthed by an explorer or researcher, they offer views about life which are outdated, antiquated, superstitious or infantile by scientific and contemporary standards.
Torah is not that way! Those who have maintained its traditions for centuries continue to thrive and grow with them. Those who have discovered them more recently as they sift through the sands in search of wisdom and truth, find the Torah's treasures alive, relevant and perfect. They are untarnished by time and immutable throughout the changing eras and shifting sands. This is Moshe's vision of Torah: it is "that which is buried yet still hiding in the sand" in its full and original, timeless form.
* * * * *
This ends my year of study with the commentary of Rabbeinu Levi ben Gershom zt'l. I have labored over his writings, which are often long and detailed. He has presented an approach to the Torah which offers clarity in understanding concepts by way of elucidating words. He has also offered novel angles for fathoming many of Chazal's principles, and how they echo principles laid down within the Written Torah. He gives perspectives on how many Torah lessons and commandments give us spiritual, philosophical and practical tools for living according to the Divine plan.
I feel good about accomplishing this learning, for it has been a productive year in looking into the thinking of a great but less studied rishon. His commentary is one of the Torah treasures which has been hidden in the sand, yet is glowing and as rich with insight as when he crafted it centuries ago. I will miss the Ralbag and may the zchus of learning his Torah endure for all of us.
The challenge for this new year of 5770 is selecting the next rishon. We have merited the study of Rashi, Ramban, Ibn Ezra (short version), Ibn Ezra (long version), Chezkuni, Rabbeinu Bachya, Rabbeinu Yona, Rabbeinu Avraham ben Rambam, Recanati, Radak, Seforno, Rashbam, Rabbeinu Efraim, Ralbag... Sadly, there are few remaining published rishonim whose writings might illuminate our study of Torah. Let us see what parshas Bereishis brings to our weekly parsha emails with the loving help of HaShem.
Wishing you a good yom tov and good Shabbos. D Fox
Moshe Rabbeinu alludes to the Torah as a treasure hiding beneath the sands. The image is alluring and striking yet begs interpretation.
The Ralbag offers that something buried in the sand can lurk hidden for ages and ages yet be untarnished, unharmed and unstained. Once unearthed, it is as fresh and preserved as if it were new. It maintains its worth and value.
There are many faiths and doctrines which have come and gone. They have been lost to civilization and when unearthed by an explorer or researcher, they offer views about life which are outdated, antiquated, superstitious or infantile by scientific and contemporary standards.
Torah is not that way! Those who have maintained its traditions for centuries continue to thrive and grow with them. Those who have discovered them more recently as they sift through the sands in search of wisdom and truth, find the Torah's treasures alive, relevant and perfect. They are untarnished by time and immutable throughout the changing eras and shifting sands. This is Moshe's vision of Torah: it is "that which is buried yet still hiding in the sand" in its full and original, timeless form.
* * * * *
This ends my year of study with the commentary of Rabbeinu Levi ben Gershom zt'l. I have labored over his writings, which are often long and detailed. He has presented an approach to the Torah which offers clarity in understanding concepts by way of elucidating words. He has also offered novel angles for fathoming many of Chazal's principles, and how they echo principles laid down within the Written Torah. He gives perspectives on how many Torah lessons and commandments give us spiritual, philosophical and practical tools for living according to the Divine plan.
I feel good about accomplishing this learning, for it has been a productive year in looking into the thinking of a great but less studied rishon. His commentary is one of the Torah treasures which has been hidden in the sand, yet is glowing and as rich with insight as when he crafted it centuries ago. I will miss the Ralbag and may the zchus of learning his Torah endure for all of us.
The challenge for this new year of 5770 is selecting the next rishon. We have merited the study of Rashi, Ramban, Ibn Ezra (short version), Ibn Ezra (long version), Chezkuni, Rabbeinu Bachya, Rabbeinu Yona, Rabbeinu Avraham ben Rambam, Recanati, Radak, Seforno, Rashbam, Rabbeinu Efraim, Ralbag... Sadly, there are few remaining published rishonim whose writings might illuminate our study of Torah. Let us see what parshas Bereishis brings to our weekly parsha emails with the loving help of HaShem.
Wishing you a good yom tov and good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 12:42 PM
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