https://www.torahmusings.com/2012/09/samson-and-the-rabbis
I often struggle with the vast differences between the plain meaning of biblical narratives and the understandings of the Sages. Among the most severe cases is that of Shimshon. The book of Judges portrays him as an intermarrying sinner while the Sages see him as a holy judge (see Samson’s Struggle). Which of these incompatible views is correct?
The dilemma can appear to be a case of the rabbis telling us to trust them over the plain evidence available to all. On the other hand, every reading involves interpretation, both our own and that of the Sages. Perhaps we need to recognize that what we see as facts are colored by our own, often only implicit, interpretations.
In the Book of Judges it explicitly states that he appeared to be violating halacha, eg by marrying a philistine woman, but his parents didn't know it was from G-d . (To find occasion against the Philistines).
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes forget God doesn't run by our rules and understanding. If He chose Shimshon, a man who led a less than exemplary lifestyle, then He had a reason and we must trust Him that it was the right decision.
ReplyDeleteKind of like Herzl.
While not simple nonetheless: For that thing as complex as judaism, multi-layered is going to be reality.There is simple interpretation for which to inform those who dwell on the sub-par levels of the pyramid- which necessarily includes most of the planet.Then there is the inner classified info for the idealists
ReplyDeleteI discussed this once with a Lubvaitcher and he insisted he knew how the geulah would happen because the Rambam paskened how it would and therefore it was a halakha that had to be followed.
DeleteAnd what if God disagrees? He didn't know what to answer.
With Lubavitch, can't trust anything they say about moshiach matters.
DeleteThey talk about the Rambam, even learn it daily. But when they make up stuff that goes against the Rambam, and you point it out to them, they get all denialist on you.
I believe the line they use is "Well if you properly understood the Rambam..." just like when the Rebbe said his father in law was a god we all got "Tsk, you don't really understand what he meant"
DeleteAround 1990, what i heard was "when it comes to Moshiach, the Rambam is the shulchan Aruch"
DeleteAround 1994 , it was " the Rambam may have his views, but we have our own tradition in Lubavitch" about Moshiach
But that's just different individuals thinking up their own answers. Then the biggest joke of all was Steinsaltz himself, saying that the halachot in the Rambam are not requirements, they are characteristics...
And around 1994 I was at a "farbrengen" and one of the speakers announced that new secret texts had only recently come to light predicting that before he could reveal himself, Moshiach would have to be struck mute and paralyzed to atone for the sins of the generation and make them worthy. My (at the time) 10 year old cousin looked at me and said "How stupid do they think we are?"
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