21:1 וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּשִׂ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃
In משפטין we start of by saying that “these are the rules that you shall set before them. Rashi answers the question of why it starts off with ״ואלה״ as if it was adding on. He answers that Wherever אלה, these, is used it cuts off the section beforehand from what it’s introducing now. However when the Torah writes ״ואלה״ and these it is used to add something to the previous subject. So here too this topic adds to the previous subject because both of those subject are on rules that were given at Har Sinai.
Question:
1)What other reason does it start with “ואלה?
2) where else does this rule apply to “ואלה״?
3)where else does it day ״ואלה״?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat other reason does it start with ואלה?
ReplyDeleteThe Tur Haorach says that since there is a vav at the beginning of the word it means that it is a continuation of what was before it. What comes after is new laws that had not been told yet at Marah. I like this answer because when people say “and” it’s usually in the middle of something and connecting two things or adding on. And is a connecting word and here that is the purpose of it before the word.
The chizkuni comments on this pasuk. First he quotes Rashi and explains that no one should argue with Rashi. Then he continues by quoting Rabbi Avahu, quoting Rabbi Yossi ben Zimra said that the word אלה is showing a break from the previous Perek, but if you add the letter ו then it expresses a type of fluidity between the פרקים. The chizkuni then continues by answering the question of why do we list these specific topics together, one after the other? He gives 2 different interpretation, 1) first the Torah spoke about being G-d fearing, then it goes on to explain rules about living in the land of Israel. The way I see they connect is that in order to live in Israel we had to have gotten the Torah and be god fearing Jews. and 2) that first it explains different laws and then it goes on to continue talking about laws, but also add the punishments. I agree with his answer becasue I like that he gives multiple interpretations to the words, which give people the ability to understand the words more.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Ora Hachaim, the reason the word ואלה is needed to in order to link these commandments to the עשרה הדברות. Thus, telling us that these commandments are also of divine origin. Furthermore, Moshe has to put the commandments before Beni Yisrael in a way they would understand so he wouldn’t have to repeat it. I like this answer because it shows us the responsibility of a leader to make sure his subjects understand his commandments.
ReplyDeleteAccording to By RABBI LEIBY BURNHAM, the reason there is vav is because in yitro, the parsha talked about our service to hashem. However, mishpatim deals with laws that are an essential part of the torah, laws about being a responsible citizen. Hashem juxteposes these two ideas for a specific reason, being that it is not enough to just focus on being a good Jew or being a good citizen, but rather you need to be a good Jew and a good citizen. I agree with this and think it is extremely important to focus on both and not just one because just because you daven, go to shul, etc doesn’t mean you are a good Jew if, for example, you are committing fraud. You need a balance of both to be a good Jew and it is an important lesson for us all today.
ReplyDeleteThe Sforno says that by using the word ואלה which means and these, it indicates a transition/contrast. Previously, the Torah talks about the prohibition of coveting property that belongs to someone else which involves no actual action, rather just the intention. Here, the Torah begins to talk about laws that deal with “אשר לרעך,” situations that deal with interaction between one and his fellow man.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhere else does it say ואלה
ReplyDeleteThe first word in shmot is ואלה and rashi says that the letter ו was used to show hashems love for Beni Yisroel because he counted them again and when you count something it shows your love for it. I like this answer because we see how it connects with the pasha before which also talks about the names of Beni yisroel