• S

  Sara -3 years ago

  A general question about midrashim

  I know they have different perspectives, but often they seem contradictory. So how are we supposed to know which one is the truth? Or maybe that's not the important part of a midrash, that's it's true or not true. Can you explain the purpose of midrashim and whether they are true or not and when they conflict with one another, what should we believe?

  Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

• S

  Sara -3 years ago

  You stressed the fact that

  the relationship between two sisters should not be undermined. And that is one or the main reasons a man should not marry two sisters. The chumra of Yaakov wanting to be strict with his observance, but not when it violated his promise to Rivka, but what about the fact that the Torah said it was asur?

  You explained that someone should not be chumra at the expense of another. I understand that, but what about the relationships between the two sisters? That argument of not undermining the relationship between 2 sisters became null and void for the sake of Rivka? What about Leah and what about the relationship between them?

  I guess my question is which is more important, keeping a promise or following the mitzvah. As I understood what you said, you and the Rebbe say a promise is more important than being strict for the sake of being strict, but what is more important keeping a promise or not undermining the relationship between the two sisters? 

  Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

• S

  Sara -3 years ago

  Yaakov marrying two sisters was assur

  according to Torah. Yaakov knew that, but he did it anyway. The different reasons that the sages came up with for that to be ok are interesting for sure. But also disturbing (at least to me). Ramban said that observing the 613 mitzvot is more obligatory (my words of his words) to be done in Eretz Yisrael than outside of Eretz Israel because the avot were more meticulous to observe them in Eretz Yisrael, but not so much outside?

  Shouldn't we all regardless of where we live be observing the mitzvot, not just so that we will be prepared to observe them "correctly" in Israel? It sounds like an excuse not to. 

  But his explanation was so very interesting, that Rachel dies outside of Israel so that Yaakov could be said to be observing the mitzvot in Eretz Yisrael. A side question, wasn't it also said (in midrash?) that Rachel died outside of Eretz Israel so that the Jews would pass her grave as they traveled into exile and she would be able to pray for them? I'm thinking that both reasons for her passing outside Eretz Israel could be true.

  Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

• S

  Sara -3 years ago

  You gave a few examples

  of how Avraham and Yitzchak "observed" the intent of the 613 mitzvot. Are there no examples of Avraham or Yitzchak not observing "the energy of " any of the 613 (or applicable for those times) mitzvot?

  Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

• S

  Sara -3 years ago

  GD goes through the list...

  until HE gets to Dovid who accepts doing the bracha. Who else was on the list and for what reasons did they decline to do the brahca?

  Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

Vayetzei Women's Class

Rabbi YY Jacobson

• November 24, 2020
• |
• 8 Kislev 5781
• |
• 1961 views

Related Classes

• 

  2 min

  YY Moment

  The Bond Between Two Sisters