המעין
English
Table of Contents
The Initiation of a Youth, the Initiation of the Alter and the Initiation of the Temple 3
Great Are the Words of the Rishonim Even in Their Silence… / Rav A. Merzbach 5
The Songמצור באתה העיר (The City Came under Siege) and the Date of Composition
of מעוז צור (Ma'oz Tzur) / Avraham Fraenkel 9
Did Mattathias Indeed Say "Who is for the Lord – join me" (Mi lashem elai)?
/ Dr. Aryeh Olman 22
In the Matter of Absorption and Expulsion by Metal Utensils in Our Day –
in the Footsteps of the Shulchan Aruch and the Rema / Rav Shaul Bar-Ilan 28
In Which Language Did Our Father Avraham Converse? / Uriel Frank 43
The Doctrine of the Hazon Ish (Rav Avraham Yesha`ya Karelitz) regarding
the Rule "Talmudic Scholars Do Not Require Protection" / Dr. Yaakov Altman 56
Relationship of the Father to the Son – A Chapter in the Life of Re'iyah
Kook and His Son Rav Zvi Yehuda zt"l / Rav Yochanan Fried 64
Three Comments on the Text of Rashi at the End of Genesis / Rav Dr. C. Cohen 71
Memorials
"Joseph is yet alive" - Remarks in Memory of Our Teacher Maran
Ovadia Yosef ZT"L / Rav Eliezer Yenuka 74
Remarks on Parting from My Teacher, My Father-in-Law,
Rav Avraham Zuckerman ZT"L / Rav Mordechai Greenberg 79
Responses and Comments
Further in the Matter of a Visitor from Abroad Who Decides in the Midst
of the Second Day of a Festival to Become a Resident of the holy Land /
Rav Mordechai Alter; Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger 83
Regarding the Question of Whether the Directive to Settle the Land of Israel is
for the Righteous Alone / Rav Jacob Koppel Schwartz; Rav Michael Klein 87
Is There in Fact Significance to the Tests and Experiments in the Matter of
Absorption and Expulsion by Contemporary Utensils? / Rav Eitam Henkin 89
Further in the Matter of Abigail and David / Rav Yisrael Mordechai Peles 94
More on Tanakh (Bible) from the Level of the Superego / Dr. Yaakov Altman 95
"The peshat (Plain Sense) of the Story of Reuben" / Rav Uriel Banner 96
About Books and Authors
A Catalog of the Jewish Authors in Spain / Dr. Abraham David 99
Parshegen on Exodus / Rav Yaakov Koppel Reinitz 102
Editorial Review of Recent Torani Publications / Rav Yoel Catane 104
Abstracts
Rav Yoel Catane: The Initiation of a Youth, the Initiation of the Alter and the Initiation of the Temple
Some remarks from the Editor about education, victory and borders…
Rav Aharon Merzbach: Great Are the Words of the Rishonim (Early Authorities) Even in Their Silence… The Opinion of the SeMaG (R. Moses of Coucy) in the Understanding of a Difficult Law in Maimonides' Laws of Arakhin (Valuations)
Rav Merzbach, Rabbi of Kibbutz Sha`alvim and senior researcher in the Shlomo Aumann Institute – a Torani research institute attached to Yeshivat Sha`alvim – has been for many years occupied with preparing the new edition of the Sefer Mitsvot Gadol (Great Book of Directives) known by its acronym SeMaG composed by R. Moses ben R. Jacob of Coucy, France. This important work is divided into two sections, the first section dealing with injunctive commands [`Lavin`] and the second with directive commands [`Assin`]. Rav Merzbach, with a full staff of researchers, has already published two volumes of the book, and the third volume will come out, with G-d's help, this year. During the preparatory work for the coming volume, Rav Merzbach encountered an interesting question: what did R. Moses of Coucy intend when, while quoting from a specific topic related to the laws of 'Arakhin' and oaths to bring offerings, he quotes several laws from Maimonides' Code word for word – but for some reason skips one law? Rav Merzbach finds the omission of this law consonant with a consistent approach of the SeMaG which differs with Maimonides on a specific point of these laws, so that this is not 'simply' an omission for the sake of brevity as some of the commentators on the SeMaG hypothesized. This note is but one example of the depth of the research undertaken by the editors of the SeMaG, whose conclusion appears in a half line in the footnotes, while the reader does not realize how much effort was required to reach this clear, concise conclusion.
Avraham Fraenkel: The Songמצור באתה העיר (The City Came under Siege) and the Date of Composition of מעוז צור (Ma'oz Tzur)
After the city of Worms survived a siege in 1201, R. Menachem bar Yaacov composed a special song מצור באתה העיר (Matsor Ba'ta ha'Ir) to be recited at its anniversary upon the departure of the Sabbath. The structure of this piyyut (liturgical poem) is complicated, as it is constructed in a combination of both Ashkenazic and Sephardic styles. The well-known Hanukah song (Ma'oz Tzur Yeshuati – 'Strength Rock of my Salvation` ["Rock of Ages"]) has exactly the same unique structure, and was probably the model for R. Menachem B. Yaacov’s song. Ma'oz Tzur was therefore composed no later than 1201. The sixth stanza of Ma'oz Tzur, whose connection to the original song has been considered doubtful, can now be proven to be an organic part of the composition, as it influenced Matsor Ba'ta ha'Ir as well. Both poems, and additional Ashkenazic Sabbath zemirot (hymns sung at meals), belong to the same period – the second half of the 12th century – during which Ashkenazic Piyyutim were composed in combined Sephardic and Ashkenazic styles.
Dr. Aryeh Olman: Did Mattathias Indeed Say, "Who is for the Lord – join me" (Mi lashem elai)?
It is well known that Mattathias the Hasmonean cried out before the beginning of the revolt: “Who is for the Lord – join me!” quoting Moses during the incident with the golden calf (Exodus 32:26). But this slogan is absent in all ancient sources of the history of the Maccabean wars – the Books of Maccabees, the Talmud, the works of Flavius Josephus and so on. In popular literature, it first appears in Sefer ha-Hanuka (1934): not in historic records but in fiction. From where did their authors take it? It is lacking in all textbooks of Jewish history except the work of R. Zev Yavetz (1892). The path by which the slogan reached this textbook was very convoluted. These words (in many readings) are found in different manuscripts of Josippon, but they are proclaimed by Judah the Maccabee, not by Mattathias, and in the midst of the revolt, not at the beginning. Evidently Rav Yavetz conflated two traditions – that of Josippon and that of the First Book of Maccabees – and put the words in the mouth of Mattathias. It seems that this was done to highlight the religious importance of the incident in Modiin, to liken one spiritual leader (Mattathias) to another (Moses) and to link the non-biblical holiday (Hanuka) to the events of Bible.
Rav Shaul Bar-Ilan: In the Matter of Absorption and Expulsion by Metal Utensils in Our Day – in the Footsteps of the Shulchan Aruch and the Rema
Rav Shaul Bar-Ilan, Torah scholar and jurist from Rehovot, served until the expulsion from Gush Katif as head of the kollel in Kfar Darom. There he composed his book Malkat Sh'va on the laws of forbidden and permitted foods, a book which delves principally into the legal decisions of the Rema (R. Moses Isserlis) and compares his opinions in his annotations to the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), in his book Darchei Moshe on the Tur, and his work Torat Hatat (on kashrut), and his method of drawing conclusions according to the teachings of the sages of Ashkenaz (Germany), principally Rabbenu Jonah Ashkenazi, author of Isur ve-Heter ha-Arokh (Forbidden and Permitted Elaborated). Here, continuing the articles published in HaMa'yan on the subject of absorption by utensils during cooking, and the idea that perhaps in our day the reality is different from that which is described by our Sages z"l and decisors, Rav Bar-Ilan analyzes many laws found in Shulchan Aruch, and reaches the conclusion that in certain instances it is possible to be lenient after the fact and to rely on the finding that today's utensils absorb less than was once the case, yet according to the opinion of the Rema in no fashion is it possible to intentionally set out to rely on this.
Uriel Frank: In Which Language Did Our Father Avraham Converse?
Uriel Frank, educator and linguist from the settlement of Mitzpe Yeriho, raises for discussion an interesting question: in which language did our father Abraham and his family speak? It becomes clear that we have in hand no direct testimony how Abraham spoke, and the Tannaim (Mishnaic authorities) and Amoraim (Talmudic authorities) as well as our teachers the Rishonim (early medieval authorities) are divided on this question. All are agreed that our father Abraham spoke Hebrew in the land of Canaan: the question is whether he brought Hebrew with him from across the river, and in the course of time it became the unique language of the members of Abraham's household, or was Hebrew the spoken language of Canaan, and in Haran Abraham spoke Aramaic? This historic controversy reflects differing perspectives on the character of the sanctity of the Hebrew language: is the language intrinsically holy, or is its sanctity "acquired" after it is chosen as the language of the Torah and of prophecy? The author of the article, Rav Frank, is among the organizers of the annual conferences of the Shoharei Leshon haQodesh (Seekers of the Holy Tongue) and also publishes an absorbing blog entitled "Maane Lashon" (Eloquence – "answer of the tongue" Proverbs 16:1; http://blog.maanelashon.org) which deals with subjects connected with the Holy Language.
Dr. Yaakov Altman: The Doctrine of the Hazon Ish (Rav Avraham Yesha`ya Karelitz) regarding the Rule "Talmudic Scholars Do Not Require Protection"
Dr. Altman, lamdan (Torah scholar) and psychologist, analyzes the doctrine of Rav Avraham Yesha`ya Karelitz, the 'Hazon Ish', in the matter of the proper relationship between Torah scholars and the unversed, and the mutual obligations the two groups have towards each other. The article also deals with the limits of relying upon G-d in the opinion of the Hazon Ish and its relationship to required personal initiative, and touches upon additional rights which halakha accords to Torah scholars engaged in Torah for the sake of Heaven in such a way that they thereby fulfill their obligations to the community.
Rav Yochanan Fried: Relationship of the Father to the Son – A Chapter in the Life of Re'iyah (Rav Abraham Isaac haCohen) Kook and His Son Rav Zvi Yehuda zt"l
Rav Fried, among the senior students of Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook zt"l at the Mercaz haRav Yeshiva, has served for many years as the Rabbi of the moshav (agricultural village) of Beit Meir near Jerusalem, he is among those who head the Halacha Brura Institute, and more. In this article, he depicts the close connection and the warm relationship which prevailed between the young Rav Zvi Yehuda and his father Rav Kook, then Rabbi of Jaffa, and the path of study of Rav Zvi Yehuda in the yeshivot in which he studied in Jerusalem. He investigates the guidance which Rav Kook offered his son, and the academic and educational progress of the adolescent Rav Zvi Yehuda. Absorbing and moving.
Rav Dr. Carmiel Cohen: Three Comments on the Text of Rashi at the End of Genesis
Three comments on the text of Rashi's commentary on the Pentateuch at the end of Genesis by Rav Dr. Cohen, educator and researcher in Maale Adumim. He bases his research on the excellent version of the Rabbinic Bible Mikraot Gedolot 'HaKeter' of Bar Ilan University, and demonstrates that there is still room for additional corrections and completions. We are speaking of a sampling of an entire compilation of textual annotations on Rashi's commentary on the Pentateuch found in the work-in-progress of Rav Cohen.
Memorials
Rav Eliezer Yenuka: "Joseph is yet alive" - Remarks in Memory of Our Teacher Maran (Our Master) Ovadia Yosef ZT"L
Rav Yenuka, head of a kollel in the settlement of Hashmonaim and among the younger students of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt"l, tearfully depicts the unique character of his teacher, his greatness as a Torah personality and a human being, his special relationship with his students, his devotion to Torah, his enormous stature as a Torah scholar, and much much more. We are all his students. The memory of the just is a blessing.
Rav Mordechai Greenberg: Remarks on Parting from My Teacher, My Father-in-Law, Rav Avraham Zuckerman ZT"L
The principal of Yeshivat Kerem b'Yavneh, Rav Greenberg, is the son-in-law of the elder statesman of Religious-Zionist Rabbis, Rav Zuckerman, founder of Yeshivat Kfar haRoeh together with Rav Neriah zt'l, and head of the Mercaz (Central Organization of) Yeshivot Bnei Akiva for many decades. Many educational institutions and many of those educated may be credited to the influence of Rav Zuckerman, who combined in rare fashion humility with assertiveness, shrewdness with innocence, diligence and vigor with equanimity, and more, and merited to raise up a 'blessed upright generation' (dor yesharim mevurakh). Rav Greenberg depicts his character both as one of the leading rabbis and as the head of a family, and conveys to the readers his amazement with and admiration of his father-in-law, into whose home he entered fifty years ago.
Responses and Comments
Rav Mordechai Alter, Jerusalemite Talmud scholar, and Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger, Rabbi of the neighborhood of Gilo in Jerusalem and head of the Kashrut System of the Municipal Rabbinate, deal again with the question of the rule for an overseas visitor who decides in the midst of the Second Day of a Festival to become to a resident of the Land of Israel, and they debate the issues with the author of the article in the previous issue, Rav Dr. Michael Avraham. Rav Jacob Koppel Schwartz of the United States takes issue with the remarks of Rav Michael Klein in the previous issue which challenged the words of the Satmar Rebbe zt"l who claimed that the directive to settle the Land of Israel is addressed solely to tzadikim (the righteous), and Rav Klein replies briefly. Rav Eitam Henkin, resident of the Neriah settlement in Binyamin, and among the leaders of the rabbinic Institute attached to Yeshivat Kiryat Arba, demonstrates that there is no value in the clarifications made recently (even those in the pages of HaMa'yan) in the matter of absorption by contemporary metal utensils, since we are not comparing them directly with absorption by earlier metal utensils, wooden utensils and so forth. In his opinion, the sense of taste has been impaired in the course of generations, and this is the reason for the vast gulf between the rules of kashrut and the absorption actually sensed in all categories of utensils. Rav Peles comments on the matter of Abigail and her seemingly improper remark to David, containing strong intimations that in the future he will marry her – and this, while she is still a married woman! – and suggests several answers to this anomaly. The abovementioned Dr. Altman deals again with the proper perspective on the 'errors' of our Biblical ancestors, and Rav Uriel Banner, Ram (teacher) in Yeshivat Sderot, also addresses the same topic.
About Books and Authors
Dr. Abraham David: A Catalog of the Jewish Authors in Spain
Dr. Abraham David, historian, and among the senior staff of the National Library in Jerusalem, reviews Norman Roth's Dictionary of Iberian Jewish and Converso Authors (Aben Ezra Ediciones Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, Madrid Salamanca 2007; 765 pages). He notes that Sephardic Jewry during the generations preceding the Expulsion of 1492 excelled in its ramified literary output in all its facets, in point of fact in all areas of medieval culture. The influence of a not insignificant number of Jewish authors of those days is recognizable in the general Jewish ouevre: they are the ones who forged many paths for coming generations up until this very day. Professor Roth assembled the materials for his work, according to his own testimony, throughout the course of many years, and strove to present a comprehensive panorama of complete works, as well as of short essays, letters, sermons, novellae, poetic literature and various musings. Our author includes in each entry the identity of the author, his location and dates, as well as a brief description of the work, and even details of early printed editions (including incunabula), along with modern and critical editions, including as well facsimiles of Spanish manuscripts published in the course of recent generations. Not only that: this is an annotated bibliography, which incorporates relevant references to research literature in Hebrew and European languages concerning the various personalities, which include monographs and brief studies (articles) which the author collected insofar as he was able. However, in the opinion of Dr. David, this work is not adequately edited, and it has many lacunae. The author ignores, here and there, various authors and works, and at times even publications about these works. The work evidences confusion in authorial names, as well as in Hebrew titles, and often ignores works of converts who generally wrote their works in Spanish or in Latin, in contrast to what is stated in the title of the book. Despite the many deficiencies of this work, its purpose should not be neglected: to present a complete bibliographic picture which will reveal the cultural universe of Iberian Jewry. This book deserves a new edition, brought up to date and edited from the ground up, free of error.
Rav Yaakov Koppel Reinitz: Parshegen on Exodus
Rav Reinitz, Torah scholar and longtime contributor to HaMa'yan, reviews the new volume of the work entitled Parshegen – a comprehensive commentary on the Aramaic translation of Onkelos on the Pentateuch by the educator and Jerusalemite researcher Rav Rafael Binyamin Posen. The study of targum (Aramaic translation) was an avocation which became the principle occupation of Rav Dr. Posen, who expresses surprise in his introduction to the book, and in this surprise he is joined by Rav Reinitz, that while myriads study the translation weekly, few among them attempt to plumb its depths. It is to this that the comprehensive work Parshegen is devoted, as it contains the best of all explanations written upon it from the days of our sagesthrough our own day.
The issue closes, as usual, with reviews of new Torani books by the editor.
ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר!