A thought on Parshas Naso
A Thought on Parshas Naso
"...va'yishma es ha'kol m'daber elav..."
"...and Moshe could hear the Voice speaking to him..." (7:89)
The Torah describes how Moshe had the singular experience of approaching the sacred place within the mishkan and then hearing words of the Divine as if a voice was speaking.
The Rambam (Igeres l'Rabbi Chisdai HaLevi; Moreh HaNevuchim 1:21, 37) explains that the words which Moshe heard were in a sound-form which he associated with a Voice. Moshe had a different form of prophetic encounter than all others. Some would have visions and some had dreams which embodied symbols and allusions of HaShem's will. Moshe, however, was able to apprehend the Divine word while remaining alert and focused. Thus, the verse tells us that when he underwent a prophetic visitation, it was in the form of spoken words. He understood that as a verbalization, which was "the Voice of HaShem speaking to him."
The Rosh observes that the verse goes on to tell us that this Voice was heard as if it was resonating from between the two golden keruvim and from the tapestry which covered the ark within the mishkan.
The Rosh ponders the intangible nature of sound and the ineffable nature of the Divine word. As we know, the concept of that which is hallowed and sacred refers to an abstract entity which occupies no space yet fills all space. It is somewhat easier to relate to the concept of a prophet experiencing a vision within his mind since that vision is filtered through the structure of his brain. We can grasp, in our way, the notion of a vision occupying that space within one's mind and body.
It is more difficult to relate to a concept of that message being enveloped within a vocalized sound, and for that sound to resonate from an area in space, such as the place between the keruvim. We tend not to give dimensionality to anything associated with HaShem.
The Rosh offers that the verse means that when Moshe was outside of the mishkan, which is where the Divine Presence could be sensed, he would have prophetic experience. He would encounter the Voice as if it were emanating from within, and as if it was emerging from that space somewhere between the winged keruvim and the ark-covering tapestry.
According to the Rambam, then, our verse is helping us fathom Moshe's experience upon being attuned to the will of HaShem. He experienced that as if it were a voice speaking to him. The Rambam is explaining something about the nature of that "Voice." He is explaining what Moshe experienced.
According to the Rosh, our verse is helping us fathom Moshe's experience upon being attuned to that Voice. He experienced it as if it originated in a particular place. The Rosh is explaining the sensation, rather than the nature, of that Voice. He is explaining how Moshe experienced it.
Kol HaShem ba'koach. I am sending this out early because Shauvos will be here soon. Good Shabbos. D Fox
"...va'yishma es ha'kol m'daber elav..."
"...and Moshe could hear the Voice speaking to him..." (7:89)
The Torah describes how Moshe had the singular experience of approaching the sacred place within the mishkan and then hearing words of the Divine as if a voice was speaking.
The Rambam (Igeres l'Rabbi Chisdai HaLevi; Moreh HaNevuchim 1:21, 37) explains that the words which Moshe heard were in a sound-form which he associated with a Voice. Moshe had a different form of prophetic encounter than all others. Some would have visions and some had dreams which embodied symbols and allusions of HaShem's will. Moshe, however, was able to apprehend the Divine word while remaining alert and focused. Thus, the verse tells us that when he underwent a prophetic visitation, it was in the form of spoken words. He understood that as a verbalization, which was "the Voice of HaShem speaking to him."
The Rosh observes that the verse goes on to tell us that this Voice was heard as if it was resonating from between the two golden keruvim and from the tapestry which covered the ark within the mishkan.
The Rosh ponders the intangible nature of sound and the ineffable nature of the Divine word. As we know, the concept of that which is hallowed and sacred refers to an abstract entity which occupies no space yet fills all space. It is somewhat easier to relate to the concept of a prophet experiencing a vision within his mind since that vision is filtered through the structure of his brain. We can grasp, in our way, the notion of a vision occupying that space within one's mind and body.
It is more difficult to relate to a concept of that message being enveloped within a vocalized sound, and for that sound to resonate from an area in space, such as the place between the keruvim. We tend not to give dimensionality to anything associated with HaShem.
The Rosh offers that the verse means that when Moshe was outside of the mishkan, which is where the Divine Presence could be sensed, he would have prophetic experience. He would encounter the Voice as if it were emanating from within, and as if it was emerging from that space somewhere between the winged keruvim and the ark-covering tapestry.
According to the Rambam, then, our verse is helping us fathom Moshe's experience upon being attuned to the will of HaShem. He experienced that as if it were a voice speaking to him. The Rambam is explaining something about the nature of that "Voice." He is explaining what Moshe experienced.
According to the Rosh, our verse is helping us fathom Moshe's experience upon being attuned to that Voice. He experienced it as if it originated in a particular place. The Rosh is explaining the sensation, rather than the nature, of that Voice. He is explaining how Moshe experienced it.
Kol HaShem ba'koach. I am sending this out early because Shauvos will be here soon. Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 10:00 PM
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