The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries
One important element of developing text skills is learning to identify and explore questions that come out of the text – both our own, and those addressed by commentators. The story of the spies in Bamidbar chapters 13-14 is a fertile ground for practicing these skills, beginning with questions such as whose idea it was to send the spies, what they were looking for, what they did wrong, and more – and the different approaches various commentators have taken to these issues. Join Mrs. Sarah Rudolph as she explores what they say, why they say it, and what we can learn from all these different perspectives.
The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries: The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries
An introduction to the exploration of parshanut (Biblical exegesis), and to the exploration of the story of the explorers in Bamidbar 13-14 (and Devarim 1).
Note that the handout shared during the lesson had comments in the margins demonstrating how one might read a text and “notice” (ask questions, etc.). Printing with these comments won’t go well, so two versions of the handout are included here – one with the comments for viewing onscreen, and one without for printing.
The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries: The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries
The big central question (or one of them): Whose idea was it to send [spies/scouts/other]?
Was it God’s initiative and command, as told in Bamidbar 13?
Or was it the people’s initiative and carried out with Moshe’s approval (and no apparent Divine involvement), as told in Devarim 1?
What are some options for addressing divergent versions of what is ostensibly the same event?
What are some tools commentaries use in formulating their interpretations?
In this lesson, we address all these questions and more…or at least, we begin to.
The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries: The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries
The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries: The Spies: Exploring Torah Commentaries
For just how many approaches can Ramban’s commentary be claimed as support?!
We conclude our course, but there remains so much to explore…
Sarah Rudolph is Director of TorahTutors.org. She is a freelance Jewish educator, writer, and editor and has been sharing her passion for Jewish texts of all kinds for over 15 years, with students of all ages. Sarah’s essays have been published in a variety of internet and print media, including Times of Israel, Kveller, Jewish Action, OU Life, The Lehrhaus, TorahMusings, and more. She is Editor-At-Large, Deracheha: womenandmitzvot.org. Sarah lives in Cleveland with her husband and four children, but is privileged to learn online with students all over the world.