The Surprising Genealogy

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Date:
January 18 2023
Length:
33min 32s
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12
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152
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Description

Just as Hashem's magnificent promises and ominous threats are about to be broadcast by Moshe, both to B'nei Yisrael as well as to Pharaoh, the text interrupts with a most unusual mini-genealogical list. We are told, all so briefly, about the families of Reuven and Shimon, after which we are given a somewhat detailed presentation of the Levites - with a curiously selective strategy informing the list. Some of the great-great grandsons of Levi are identified, whereas others are elided. We survey a few of the approaches proposed by the traditional commentators, after which, building on Rashbam and Bekhor Shor, suggest a context-driven solution to the conundrum of this odd and somewhat jarring insert into to Exodus narrative.

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    Anonymous: 

    Learning on the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah site is sponsored today by Judy & Mark Frankel & family l'ilui nishmos מרדכי בן הרב משה יהודה ע"ה and משה יהודה ז"ל בן מאיר אליהו ויהודית and by the Polinsky Family to commemorate the 5th Yahrzeit of Gil Polinsky, Gedalyahu Gootmun Chaim ben Yaakov Dov