Machshavah Lab

The Fundamental Importance of NON-Symbolic Chametz

March 24, 2023 Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss Season 11 Episode 27
Machshavah Lab
The Fundamental Importance of NON-Symbolic Chametz
Show Notes

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Synopsis: The shiur I gave this morning (3/24/23) in our Machshavah Lab series for women was inspired by a pet-peeve of mine: symbolic explanations of the mitzvos regarding chametz on Pesach. The first hour of the shiur is devoted to my presentation of why the NON-symbolic understanding of chametz is fundamental - not just for the observance of the mitzvah, but for the continued existence of Torah and Judaism as a whole. We then acquaint ourselves with three symbolic explanations of chametz and I conclude by explaining that such ideas DO have value, they mustn't overshadow the pshat understanding of the significance of chametz. And if you've ever wondered why we're SO strict about chametz, then this shiur is definitely for you.
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מקורות:
שמות יב:יד-כ,לט;יג:ג-י
דברים טז:א-ח
רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר זמנים, הלכות חמץ ומצה ה:א; ו:ד
רמב"ן - שמות יג:טז
ויקרא ב:יא-יב
רש"י - הושע ז:ד
רש"י - ברכות דף יז עמוד א
Philo, Questions and Answers on Exodus 1:15
אברבנאל – שמות יב:יט

Resources Mentioned:
Rabbi Israel Chait, Torah from Sinai
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, Living Up to the Truth, Chapter 6: Revelation and Miracles - the Kuzari Principle
Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, A Rational Approach to the Torah's Divine Origin
Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss, How Thomas Paine Forgot Sinai
Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss, The Place of the Proof of Torah mi'Sinai
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The Torah content for Rosh Chodesh Nisan has been sponsored by my friend and fellow Ralbag-enthusiast, Rabbi Dovid Campbell. Be sure to check out his website, NatureofTorah.com, and the article he published in the most recent edition of Hakirah entitled. Imitations and Semblances: How the Mitzvos Direct Our Exploration of Reality.
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If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
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