יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל עַל־לִבּ֛וֹ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה תָּמִֽיד׃ (ס)
“Inside the breastpiece of decision you shall place the Urim and Thummim, so that they are over Aaron’s heart when he comes before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall carry the instrument of decision for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD at all times.”
Sforno asks on this pasuk, what does it mean ״את משפט בני ישראל על לבו״? What does it mean that Aaron will carry the instruments of decision for Bnei yisrael over his heart? Sforno answers that this means that Aaron will pray for Bnei Yisrael on their behalf so that they will be declared innocent.
1) what other answers do other מפרשים give to what the pasuk of ״את משפט בני ישראל על לבו״ means?
2) why is it that the leaders always have to pray to Hashem on behalf of Bnei yisrael? Why can’t Bnei yisrael daven for themselves?
3) what other things has Aaron done to try and help Bnei yisrael in the past?
According to the Chizkuni, the phrase ״ ונשא אהרון את משפט בני ישראל״ means that Aaron will inform Hashem of the needs of Bnei Yisroel in order that he can help them. I really like this answer because it shows how much Aaron wants to help Bnei Yisroel and will take his time to inform Hashem when they have a problem.
ReplyDeleteThe iben Ezra says that the breast plate was made with human hands and they were made of gold or silver. Iben Ezra also says that it was simular to what astrologers used to understand communications of zodiac signs. And so to Aaron was able to use it to communicate with hashem. In another commentary I read it said that in his outfit he could not lack hashem name so here the Breast plate gives him thE name of hashem that he needs to wear. I like half of this answer. I don’t think that there should be a connection between the astronomers with zodiac signs to Aaron talking to hashem since zodiac signs are not a religious thing to believe in. But I do think it’s beautiful to always carry hashem name and presence in everything that we wear especially because it’s aaron, it’s good he’s wearing something to always be reminded of hashem.
ReplyDeleteIn the pasuk it talks about something called a mishpat - What does mishpat mean and what does it do? Rashi explains that Mishpat literally means judgment, which works perfectly because it’s job is to pardon people from their sins/ mistakes. I really like this answer because it is straight to the point, it’s job has to do with what it is called and I think that is nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat other things has Aharon done to help Bnei Yisroel in the past?
ReplyDeleteAlthough we generally think that Moshe was appointed the leader of the Beni yisroel, Sforno explains that BOTH Aharon and Moshe were appointed as leaders. While Hashem only revealed himself to Moshe and said that would he redeem Bnei Yisroel, Aharon is the one who ultimately conveys this to the nation. Furthermore, when Moshe and Aharon confront Pharaoh for the first time, Aharon serves as the spokesman because Moshe has a speech impediment/stutter and does not feel confident talking to Pharaoh. Without Aharon, Moshe would have struggled to lead Bnei Yisroel and stand up to Pharaoh. I like this insight because it recognizes Aharons importance is helping to lead the Jewish people and that it wasn’t just Moshe on his own.