Week 32 (Book 5): Securing Our Connection to the Land in the Face of the Enemy

SONG OF SONGS:

5. Your neck is like an ivory tower; your eyes are [like] pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-Rabbim; your face is as the tower of Lebanon, facing towards Damascus.

6. Your head upon you is like Carmel, and the braided locks of your head are like purple; the king is bound in the tresses.

7. How fair and how pleasant you are, a love with delights!

SEVENTY SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Jahleel

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 32 - Liability for Oaths

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 32

Week 32 in the Jewish calendar continues to be connected to Yom Ha’Atzma’ut. The verses of Shir HaShirim of this week also relate to praises made by the other nations towards the Jewish people. There are also many references to places in the region, where unfortunately many came to attack us: Heshbon (in Jordan), Lebanon, Damascus…

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-second mentioned is Jahleel. Jahleel means to wait for, to yearn for G-d. Yachel also contains the language of forgiveness, as well as nullification and desecration. Week 32 of Book 1 shows that this week is deeply connected to how other nations will finally acknowledge Israel after so many years. The week, related to Bilaam, is represented by the mule in Perek Shirah. Bilaam was trying to nullify the oath made by G-d to Abraham – he was, in many ways, the “anti-Abraham.” It is also related to the heart (32 is Lev). We yearn for Hashem with all our hearts and to return to our land, and in so doing, G-d nullifies those that fight against our connection to the Land of Israel.

Daf Lamed Beit (Folio 32) of Shevuoth continues to discuss cases in which people that are excluded from liability for a court oath. This again is related to the three oaths mentioned last week.

Chapter 32 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It again speaks openly of a time when the Jewish people would be able to return to its land, and the prophet Jeremiah himself is told to redeem his family’s portion of the Land by purchasing it:[1]

6. And Jeremiah said: The word of the Lord came to me, saying:  

7. Behold, Hanamel, the son of Shallum your uncle, is coming to you, saying: Buy for yourself my field that is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it. 

   

(…)

12. And I gave the deed of the purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah the son of Maaseiah in the presence of Hanamel my uncle and in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, in the presence of all the Jews who sat in the prison yard.  

13. And I charged Baruch in their presence, saying: 

14. So said the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Take these scrolls, this deed of purchase and the signed one and this open scroll, and put them into an earthen vessel so that they remain many years.  

15. For so says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be purchased again in this land.

(...)

36. And now, therefore, so said the Lord God of Israel concerning this city which you say, "It has been given into the hand[s] of the king of Babylon by the sword and by famine and by pestilence"; 

37. Behold I will gather them from all the lands where I have driven them with My anger and with My wrath and with great fury, and I will restore them to this place and I will cause them to dwell safely. 

38. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God.  

39. And I will give them one accord and one way to fear Me all the time, so that it be good for them and for their children after them.  

40. And I will form for them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from them to do them good, and My fear I will place in their heart, not to turn away from Me. 

41. And I will rejoice over them to do good to them, and I will plant them in this land truly with all My heart and with all My soul. 

42. For so said the Lord: As I have brought upon this people all this great evil, so will I bring upon them all the good that I speak concerning them.  

43. And the field shall be bought in this land, which you say, "It is desolate without man or beast; it has been given into the hand[s] of the Chaldeans." 

44. Men shall buy fields for money and inscribe deeds and sign [them] and appoint witnesses in the land of Benjamin and in the environs of Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah and in the cities of the mountain and in the cities of the lowland and in the cities of the southland, for I will restore their captivity, says the Lord.

---

[1] This contains the Haftorah for the Torah portion of Behar which often falls on this week as well.

Week 33 (Book 5): The Tzadik

SONG OF SONGS: 

8. This, your stature, is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like clusters [of dates].

9. I said: Let me climb up the palm tree, let me seize its boughs, and let your breasts be now like clusters of the vine and the fragrance of your countenance like [that of] apples.

70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Dinah and Asenath daughter of Poti-phera Chief of On.

TALMUD SHEVUOTH; Daf 33 - Becoming exempt from liability because of the action of others

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 33

Week 33 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Lag Ba’Omer. We effectively enter into a new period in the counting of the omer, in which most people stop all signs of mourning. The verses of Shir HaShirim of this week also change focus. Rashi states: “Until this point, the nations praise Him. From here on are the words of the Shechinah to reveal Israel, who are among the nations.” Lag Ba’Omer is a day of tremendous revelation – the day of the Tzadik Yesod Olam, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. The verses include many references to the date-palm tree, the Tamar. The Tamar is the ultimate metaphor for the upright Tzadik Yesod Olam (the vav, which represents the sefirah of Yesod, is also upright). In Perek Shirah, the verse of the Tamar is, “Tzadik KaTamar Yifrach, K’Erez BaLevanon Yizgueh.” The verses also mention the vine, a reference to the hidden Torah, and a reference to the fragrance of apples, which is the fragrance of Gan Eden, (known to be like an apple orchard).

           

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-third mentioned is Dinah, the last one directly descended from Leah. From this week on, we also start counting the descendants of Rachel, starting with Joseph’s family. The first one listed (other than Rachel, Joseph, and Binyamin, left for the end) is Joseph’s wife, Asenath daughter of Poti-phera Chief of On, which the Midrash teaches is in fact Dinah’s daughter.

The lesson of the Counting of the Omer and Lag Ba’Omer is all about love and respect for one another. Dinah is the ultimate example of this love. Leah foresaw that Dinah was originally going to be a boy. She prayed that she be turned into a girl, so that Rachel too could merit having to male children, founders of tribes of Israel.

Similarly, Asenath, daughter of Dinah (from Leah), and mother of Efraim and Menasheh (from Joseph son of Rachel) also represents this union and love.  Efraim and Menashe are the ultimate link between the two sides of the Jewish people; Rachel and Leah, Yehudah and Yosef. It is interesting that Jacob states that these two will be “like Reuven and Shimon” to him. (heard from my father-in-law, Raul Wainer)

Dinah endured so much suffering. Yet, she too is ultimately ultimately redeemed, marrying Shimon and having her daughter marry Joseph. Dinah means judgement, strictness. Yet, the “Hey” in the end of her name adds an element of mercy. Asenath is also related to harsh emotions: “And Dinah gave birth to a daughter and named her Asenat, saying, `To my woe did I bear her for Shechem the son of Chamor who had taken me by force to his house’” (Midrash Esther).^[1] Her name also has a Heh added to it, since she is not called Bat Potiphar, but rather Bat Potipherah.

Daf Lamed Gimmel (Folio 33) of Shvuot continues to discuss cases in which people that are excluded from liability for a court oath, particularly when there are two pairs of witnesses. There is a long discussion regarding liability for fines, as well as a discussion regarding claiming on behalf of someone else, and that oaths only apply to monetary claims. Lag Ba'Omer is a day in which we celebrate how the merit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son, Rabbi Elazar, spared the whole world of judgement. In Rabbi Shimon's days there was never a rainbow in the sky. The rainbow is a reminder to us of Hashem's oath never to destroy the world again - such a sign was unnecessary in the times of Rabbi Shimon. Interestingly, one of the main principles put forth in this daf involves an opinion by Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. The following daf also starts with words from Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

Chapter 33 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It speaks of joy after desolation, purification from sin. It also contains messianic themes connected to the House of David and the Kohanim (Lag Ba’Omer is Hod shebeHod), and even contains the idea of counting. Iyar is known as a month of healing, and Lag Ba’Omer known as a day of festivities, such as for weddings.

6. Behold, I will bring it healing and cure, and I will cure them, and I will reveal to them a greeting of peace and truth.

   

7. And I will return the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel, and build them up like at first.

8. And I will purify them of all their iniquity that they sinned against Me, and I will forgive all their iniquities that they sinned against Me and that they rebelled against Me.  

9. And it shall be to Me for a name of joy, for praise and for glory to all the nations of the earth who will hear all the good that I do for them and fear and tremble because of all the good and because of all the peace that I do for it.

10. So said the Lord: There shall again be heard in this place, concerning which you say, "It is desolate without man and without beast," in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate without a man and without an inhabitant and without a beast,  

11. the sound of mirth and the sound of joy, the voice of a bridegroom and the voice of a bride, the sound of those saying, "Thank the Lord of Hosts, for the Lord is good, for His loving-kindness endures forever," bringing a thanksgiving offering to the House of the Lord, for I will restore the captivity of the land as at first, said the Lord.  

12. So said the Lord of Hosts: There shall again be in this place that is waste without man or beast, and in all its cities a dwelling of shepherds resting [their] flocks. 

13. In the cities of the mountain, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the Negev and in the land of Benjamin and in the environs of Jerusalem and in the cities of Judah, flocks shall again pass under the hands of one who counts them, said the Lord.

14. Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, and I will establish the good thing that I spoke concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 

15. In those days and in that time I will cause to grow for David a plant of righteousness, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 

16. In those days, Judah shall be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell securely and this is the name that He shall call it, the Lord is our righteousness. 

17. For so said the Lord: There shall not be cut off from David a man sitting on the throne of the house of Israel.  

18. And of the Levitic priests, there shall not be cut off from before Me a man offering up a burnt offering, or burning a meal-offering or performing a sacrifice for all time.

---

Following the division of three verses of Shir HaShirim per week:

[8. This, your stature, is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like clusters [of dates].

9. I said: Let me climb up the palm tree, let me seize its boughs, and let your breasts be now like clusters of the vine and the fragrance of your countenance like [that of] apples.

10. And your palate is like the best wine, that glides down smoothly to my beloved, making the lips of the sleeping speak."

Verse 10 speaks of revelation, like that of Lag Ba'omer:

The verses of Shir HaShirim of this week also focus on wine, which is a metaphor for the inner secrets of the Torah. Those secrets are what gave life to the Jewish people in difficult times when they were spiritually asleep, bringing them back to life, making their “lips speak.” This is very much related to Lag Ba’Omer and the inner secrets of the Kabbalah revealed by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, as discussed in the previous week. It also appears connected to the healing qualities of the month of Iyar.

---

[1] http://www.jewishpress.com/sections/jewess-press/impact-women-history/dinah%e2%80%99s-daughter-a-vital-link/2011/12/08/

Week 34 (Book 5): Healing and Rabbi Shimon's "Wine"

SONG OF SONGS:

10. And your palate is like the best wine, that glides down smoothly to my beloved, making the lips of the sleeping speak."

SEVENTY SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Gad and Menasheh

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 34 – Oaths Taken Under Different Circumstances

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 34

Week 34 in the Jewish calendar is the last week of Iyar. As noted in Book 1, it represents the journey from Yaacov to Yisrael that started in Nissan and ends in Iyar, as we approach the giving of the Torah on Shavuot.

The verses of Shir HaShirim of this week also focus on wine, which is a metaphor for the inner secrets of the Torah. Those secrets are what gave life to the Jewish people in difficult times when they were spiritually asleep, bringing them back to life, making their “lips speak.” This is very much related to Lag Ba’Omer and the inner secrets of the Kabbalah revealed by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, as discussed in the previous week. It also appears connected to the healing qualities of the month of Iyar.

           

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-fourth mentioned is Gad, son of Zilpah. It is also connected with Menasheh, son of Joseph. Gad was known as a fierce warrior, and his name means “(good) luck.” Menashe’s name has at its root the verb “to forget,” a reference of Joseph “forgetting” the hardships of his past. Menashe also means to sustain, as Menashe was Joseph main assistant in sustaining Egypt and running the affairs of the empire. Again, there’s a connection to the healing qualities of Iyar, and the journey from hardship to strength and relative independence (See Book 1).

Daf Lamed Dalet (Folio 34) of Shvuoth continues to discuss the issue of oaths that only apply to monetary claims. It also discusses witnesses that did not see or know the facts, and deriving laws of oaths for a pikadon (gift) from the laws of court oaths. The overall theme appears again to be to be the journey from being in a poor and weak position, to one of strength and order. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is by far the most quoted rabbi on this daf, from beginning to end.  

Chapter 34 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It speaks of going from being a slave to be free, in the seven-year cycle of Sabbatical years.

8. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were in Jerusalem, to proclaim freedom to them;  

   

9. That every man should let his manservant and every man his maidservant, a Jew and a Jewess go free, that none should hold his Jewish brother as a slave.  

10. Now all the princes and all the people who had entered into the covenant hearkened that every one should let his manservant and everyone his maidservant go free, no longer holding them in slavery; then they obeyed and let them go. 

11. But afterwards they turned and brought back the manservants and the maidservants whom they had let free, and forcibly made them into manservants and maidservants.  

12. Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:

13. So says the Lord God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers on the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves, saying: 

14. "At the end of seven years you shall let go every man his brother Jew who has been sold to you, and when he has served you for six years you shall let him go free from you"; but your forefathers did not obey Me, nor did they incline their ear[s]. 

15. And now this day you turned and did what was right in My sight by proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before Me in the House upon which My Name is called.  

16. But then you turned and profaned My Name, and you took back, each man his manservant and each man his maidservant, whom you had let free to themselves, and forced them to be manservants and maidservants to you.  

17. Therefore, so says the Lord: You have not hearkened to Me to proclaim freedom, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor; behold I proclaim freedom to you, says the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine, and I will make you an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

---
Following three verses per week:

11. "I am my beloved's, and his desire is upon me.
12. Come, my beloved, let us go out to the field, let us lodge in the villages.
13. Let us arise early to the vineyards; let us see whether the vine has blossomed, the tiny grapes have developed, the pomegranates have lost their flowers; there I will give you my love.

These verses speak of closeness to G-d, "His desire is upon me." The tiny grapes that have developed and are now ready to give (and receive) Hashem's love at Mt. Sinai.

Week 35 (Book 5): Feeling Hashem's Desire

SONG OF SONGS: 11. "I am my beloved's, and his desire is upon me.

70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Ziphion and Ephraim

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 35 – the Holy Name of G-d

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 35

Week 35 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Yom Yerushalayim and Rosh Chodesh Sivan. The verse of Shir HaShirim of this week speaks of the close connection between the Jewish people and G-d, and how He desires us. This desire was certainly felt strongly at the time immediately prior to the giving of the Torah, and also when we were able to re-conquer Jerusalem.

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-fifth mentioned is Ziphion, son of Gad. This week is also connected with Ephraim, son of Joseph. Ziphion appears related to the verb Letzapot, to see into the distance, like the name of a mountain in Jerusalem, Har HaTzofim, one of the scenes of the greatest battles for Jerusalem in 1948 and 1967. Ephraim comes from the word to be fruitful and multiply – Israel’s size certainly multiplied after the Six Day War. Ephraim was the ancestor of Joshua, who conquered the Land of Israel for the first time. Ephraim, along with Menashe (previous week) were partners in a similar way as Issachar (connected to the month of Iyar) and Zevulun (Sivan). Of the two brothers, Ephraim is the most associated with spiritual pursuits and the acquisition of Torah, while Menashe was more concerned with running the affairs of the kingdom.

Daf Lamed Heh (Folio 35) of Shvuot discusses cases of exemptions, when oaths are not made, the wording of an oath, the holy names of G-d, and whether an oath must include Hashem’s name. The various names of Hashem mentioned appear related to the the revelation of Hashem and the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. The Torah itself comprises of one of Hashem’s names.

Chapter 35 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It contains the story of Rechabites, sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab, children of Yitro. The story tells of how they faithfully obeyed their father’s commands, including the one not to drink wine. Yithro’s story (that of a convert) is very much related to the giving of the Torah. In fact, it is in Parashat Yitthro that we read about the giving of the Torah. It also shows the unity of the children, all obeying their father’s wishes in unison. They themselves were converts, just like on Shavuot, when the entire Jewish people were like converts.

 

5. And I placed before the sons of the house of the Rechabites goblets full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, "Drink wine."

 

6. And they said, "We will not drink wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us saying, "You shall not drink wine, you or your children forever.

 

7. And you shall not build a house, neither shall you sow nor shall you plant a vineyard, nor shall you have [any], but you shall dwell in tents all your days in order that you live many days on the face of the land where you dwell.

 

8. And we hearkened to the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, to all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters.  

 

9. And not to build houses for our dwelling, and not to have a vineyard, a field, or seed.  

 

10. And we have dwelt in tents, and we have hearkened and done according to all that Jonadab our father has commanded us.


--
3 verses per week:

14. The pots [of figs] have given forth [their] fragrance, and on our doorways are all manner of sweet fruits, both new and old, which I have hidden away for you, my beloved."

1. "O, that you were like my brother, who sucked my mother's breasts! I would find you outside, I would kiss you, and they would not despise me.


2. I would lead you, I would bring you to the house of my mother, who instructed me; I would give you to drink some spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.  

Rosh Chodesh Sivan is zodiac sign of twins; "like me brother."
House of my mother, seems to be a reference to Jerusalem. 

Week 36 (Book 5): Chag (Festival)

SONG OF SONGS: 12. Come, my beloved, let us go out to the field, let us lodge in the villages.

70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Haggi and Bela

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 36 – a Gift

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 36

Week 36 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Shavuot. The verse of Shir HaShirim of this week talks of going to the field, lodging in the villages. The field and the villages appear to be references to Eisav, who was a man of the field. Rashi comments that Kefarim (villages) should be read (Kofrim) disbelievers. At the time of the giving of the Torah, Hashem offered it to the other nations, including Yishmael and Eisav, but they rejected it.

Shavuot is also specifically connected to the field, because it is also known as Chag HaKatzir (the Harvest Festival) and Chag HaBikkurim (the Festival fo the First Fruits).

           

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-sixth mentioned is Haggi. This week is also connected with Bela, son of Benjamin. Haggi appears to come from the the Chag, festival. Chagi means my festival, or Chag-Yud, the festival of G-d. The term Chag is used in the context of all festivals, but especially the ones that involve pilgrimage to Jerusalem, such as Shavuot, Pessach and Sukkot.

Bela means “swallowed up” – a reference to how Joseph disappeared from Benjamin when he was still a child. Benjamin’s naming his sons after Joseph is evidence of the brotherly love that existed (and still exists) among the Jewish people – a key component in our meriting to receive the Torah.

Daf Lamed Vav (Folio 36) of Shvuot continues to discuss the wording of an oath, and the holy names of G-d. It also begins a new chapter regarding the oath of a “pikadon,” a gift or deposit. Again, the use of the names of Hashem appear related to the the revelation of Hashem and the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. The Torah was also the quintessential gift, given to the Jewish people at Sinai.

Chapter 36 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It depicts the writing of a scroll (which is in fact the Book of Lamentations), which Jeremiah spoke and Baruch ben Neriah wrote down. When the scroll reached the king of Judah and it was read to him, he destroyed it, throwing it into the fire. A second scroll was then written, with additional words. There’s really a very strong parallel here with the giving of the Torah.

4. And Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote from Jeremiah's mouth all the words of the Lord that He had spoken to him, on a roll of a book. 

5. And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying: I am imprisoned; I cannot enter the House of the Lord.

   

6. And you shall come and read in the roll that you have written from my mouth, the words of the Lord, in the ears of the people in the House of the Lord on a fastday, and also in the ears of all of Judah who come from their cities, you shall read them.

(...)

  

23. And it came to pass, when Jehudi read three or four verses, he rent it with a scribe's razor, and cast [it] onto the fire which was on the brazier until the entire roll was consumed on the fire that was on the brazier. 

24. And the king and all his servants who heard all these words were neither frightened nor did they rend their garments. 

25. And also Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had entreated the king not to burn the roll, but he heeded them not.

(...)

32. And Jeremiah took another roll and gave it to Baruch the son of Neriah the scribe, and he wrote on it from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book that Jehoiakim the king of Judah burnt with fire, and there were yet added to them many words like those.

Week 37 (Book 5): First Fruits

SONG OF SONGS: 13. Let us arise early to the vineyards; let us see whether the vine has blossomed, the tiny grapes have developed, the pomegranates have lost their flowers; there I will give you my love.

70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Shuni and Becher

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 36 – a Gift

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 37

Week 37 in the Jewish calendar is the third week of Sivan, following Shavuot. The verse of Shir HaShirim of this week also describes going to the field and eating of its fruits, receiving G-d’s love. This week’s verse appears even more linked to Chag HaBikkurim, the festival fo the first fruits, collected from the field and brought as a sacrifice. Rashi explains that the description that the pomegranites lost their flowers is because they had become ripe. Rashi also connects each of the fruits mentioned with the knowledge and study of Torah (specifically the study of Mishna).

           

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-seventh mentioned is Shuni. Shuni appears related to the verb, LeShanot, to “go over”/study the Torah.  This week is also connected with Becher, son of Benjamin. Becher is related to the word Bechor, firstborn, and also Bikkurim, the first fruits.

Daf Lamed Zayin (Folio 37) of Shvuot continues to discuss the oath of a “pikadon,” a gift or deposit. As mentioned above, the Torah is the quintessential gift, given to us at Sinai.

Chapter 37 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It shows that the king of Judah is finally receptive to the prophet. It also includes the first signs of all of Jeremiah’s prophecies come to fruition and his vindication against the false prophets:

9. So said the Lord: Deceive not yourselves, saying, "The Chaldeans shall surely withdraw from us," for they shall not withdraw.  

(...)

17. And King Zedekiah sent and took him, and the king asked him secretly in his house, and he said, "Is there a word from the Lord?" And Jeremiah said, "There is." And he said, "You shall be given into the hand[s] of the king of Babylon."  

18. And Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "What have I sinned against you and against your servants and against this people, that you have put me into the prison?  

19. And where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, 'The king of Babylon shall not come upon you or upon this land'?

Week 38 (Book 5): Unity and Captivity

SONG OF SONGS: 14. The pots [of figs] have given forth [their] fragrance, and on our doorways are all manner of sweet fruits, both new and old, which I have hidden away for you, my beloved."

70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Ezbon and Ashbel

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 38 – Collective Oath

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 38

Week 38 in the Jewish calendar is the last week of Sivan. The verse of Shir HaShirim of this week extends the connection with Chag HaBikkurim, also describing fruit, “new and old,” specifically dudayim of figs. Rashi comments that before there were two types of fruits, good and bad. However, "[n]ow, both of them have given forth their fragrance. They all seek Your countenance." Sivan is the ultimate in both Jewish unity and the Divine revelation that follows.

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-eighth mentioned is Ezbon. Ezbon appears related to the word Etzbah, meaning finger. The finger is not a truly independent entity - it is a part of the hand, and must be united with it. This week is also connected with Ashbel, son of Benjamin. Ashbel means "taken captive." Again, Benjamin gave such a names as a sign of unity with his brother, mourning that Joseph had been sold as a slave.


Daf Lamed Cheit (Folio 38) of Shvuot continues to discuss the oath of a “pikadon,” a gift or deposit. This daf also begins a new chapter on “Shevuas HaDayanim,” the “oath of judges,” regarding partial admission, and discusses how to administer an oath. Most of the daf discusses the concept of a collective oath. As mentioned above, this week, and this month, are very much connected to the idea of collectivity.


Chapter 38 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. As in the previous week, the king of Judah shows receptivity to hearing the words of Jeremiah. He also promises not to punish him for them. The chapter includes references to collective reward and/or collective punishment, including for the women and children:

14. And King Zedekiah sent and took Jeremiah the prophet to him, to the third entrance, that was in the house of the Lord, and the king said to Jeremiah, "I ask you a word; do not conceal a word from me." 

15. And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I tell you, will you not put me to death? And if I advise you, you will not listen to me." 

16. And King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah secretly, saying, "As the Lord lives who made for us this soul, I will neither put you to death nor will I deliver you into the hand[s] of these men who seek your life."  

17. And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "So said the Lord God of Hosts, the God of Israel; If you go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, your soul shall live, and this city shall not be burnt with fire, and you and your household shall live. 

18. But if you do not go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city shall be delivered into the hand[s] of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand[s]."  

19. And King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I fear the Jews who have defected to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hands and mock me."

20. And Jeremiah said, "They shall not deliver [you]; hearken now to the voice of the Lord, that I speak to you, and it shall be good for you, and your soul shall live.

21. But if you refuse to go out, this is the thing that the Lord has shown me.

22. Behold, all the women who remained in the house of the king of Judah shall be taken out to the officers of the king of Babylon, and they shall say, 'Your cohorts have enticed you and prevailed over you. Your feet have sunk into the mire; they have turned back.' 

23. And all your wives and your sons shall be brought out to the Chaldeans, and you shall not escape from their hand[s], for you shall be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city you shall burn with fire."

The very last verse of the chapter states that Jerusalem was conquered:

28. And Jeremiah stayed in the prison yard until the day that Jerusalem was taken, and he was [there] when Jerusalem was taken.

Week 39 (Book 5): Feeling the Harshness of Exile

SONG OF SONGS: 1. "O, that you were like my brother, who sucked my mother's breasts! I would find you outside, I would kiss you, and they would not despise me.

70 SOULS THAT DESCENDED TO EGYPT: Eri and Gera

TALMUD SHEVUOTH: Daf 39 – Harsh punishments for false oaths.

BOOK OF JEREMIAH: Chapter 39

Week 39 in the Jewish calendar is the week of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. The verse of Shir HaShirim of this week, the first of the last chapter, speaks of the Jewish people’s desire that it and Hashem be like siblings – then the Jewish people would find Hashem “outside” and not be despised. This is an appropriate verse given that the month of Sivan (Gemini/Twins) is now over, and it is in Tammuz that many bad things happened to us. It is a month connected to exile, in which we were despised outside our land. Rashi’s comments to this verse make reference to Joseph:

O that you were like my brother: that you would come to console me as Joseph did his brothers, who did evil to him, and it is stated concerning him (Gen. 50:21): “and he consoled them.”

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is Joseph’s yahrzeit.

Of the seventy souls of the Jewish people that descended to Egypt, the thirty-ninth mentioned is Eri. The name appears related to the verb to be awake, as in  “I am asleep, but my heart is awake,” [Libi Er] our Sages comment: “Although I am sleeping in exile, my heart is awake for the Holy One, blessed be He.”  (Song of Songs 5:2)[1] This week is also connected to Gera, son of Benjamin, whose means a foreigner, a reference to how Joseph became a stranger in a strange country, like the Jewish people during this time. Er is also the name of Judah’s son who was killed by G-d due to his sins. Similarly, the harsh punishments of these months serve as a wake up call.

Daf Lamed Tet (Folio 39) of Shvuot describes the harsh punishments for false oaths. Even the family of someone who makes a false oath is punished. Furthermore, the punishment is immediate; “water and fire do not wear away the wood and rocks (of his house), but false oaths do… Regarding false oaths, Hash-m does not cleanse (without punishments) even if he repents.” The daf also connects this concept to the oaths taken at Sinai.

Chapter 39 of the Book of Jeremiah contains a similar theme to the above. It is here that the Book of Jeremiah begins giving its description of the atrocities that took place. It starts by stating that it was on the “tenth month” that Nebuchadnezzar’s army  besieged Jerusalem, and on “the fourth month” that it breached its walls. Here the months are counted from Nissan, so the fourth month is a reference to Tammuz, and although Tammuz is also known as the tenth month (counting from Rosh Hashanah), here it is a reference to Teveth. Tammuz is also related to the Tribe of Reuven, and the sense of sight. These verses mention that that after the walls are breached, the king of Judah is blinded.

6. And the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons in Riblah before his eye, and the king of Babylon slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.  

Rashi - and… all the nobles of Judah: These are the Sanhedrin, because they had annulled the oath.   

7. And he blinded Zedekiah's eyes, and he bound him with copper chains to bring him to Babylon. 

8. And the king's palace and the houses of the people the Chaldeans burnt with fire, and they demolished the walls of Jerusalem.

   

9. And the rest of the people who remained in the city, and the defectors who had defected to him, and the rest of the remaining people, Nebuzaradan, the chief executioner, exiled to Babylon.  

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[1] http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/82583/jewish/In-the-Garden-of-the-Torah-Shmos.htm