In pasuk alef perek vav the Pshat says -
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה
What did Hashem mean when he said “I am the lord”? Why did he say this? What was he trying to tell Moshe? Was this a harsh or reasonable response?
Sforno comments on this and says when Hashem says 'אני ה, he means that he is the one who maintains the entire universe all alone. That he has not only called it into existence, but has also maintained it, and there is no other prime cause which exercises any independent influence on any part of his universe. He basically is clarifying, this is God is the creator of the universe, and the one who maintains it.
Rashi comments on the words Ani Hashem, saying that when Hashem says this He isn't just stating that He is God because that its obvious but rather He is THE God who is and will always be faithful in His promise to Bnei Yisrael. I like this answer because it explains a simple phrase that we would overlook and gives it a deeper meaning of a quality Hashem wanted to point out
ReplyDeleteRashi says that with these words, he is responding to Moshe when he asks Hashem why He is torturing the Jews. It’s almost as if he saying that he is Hashem and therefore, he must have a reason for it. I like this idea because it shows us that sometimes, we don’t know why Hashem is doing things that seem bad but he always has a reason.
ReplyDeleteThe Ramban says, Hashem appeared to everyone else through natural ways, meaning it was never went against the laws of nature. All the rewards and punishments go along with nature so it’s not always so clear when B”Y are getting punished or praised. Hashem needs to tell Moshe who He is so that Moshe realizes that Hashem is the one behind nature.
ReplyDeleteI think this makes sense of why Hashem says this, even though we know everything is from Hashem, it probably wasn’t clear to Moshe
Kayla Markovitz
Tova Rubin
ReplyDeleteRashbam says the reason Hashem says "I am Hashem" is to indicate that anything Hashem promises is all in His will to fulfill. I think this He said this to comfort Bnai Yisrael and let them know that the harsh treatment they are undergoing is all so that Hashem can fulfill His promise to redeem them. This is evident as in this parsha, Va'era, Hashem brings the first of the makkot.
The דעת זקינים says that hashem is saying that he is not only a god to phorah but also a god to moshe. I think that this is a good answer because later on it’s gonna say I am a god to phorah so here it’s saying I am also a god to you. - Nealy Saks
ReplyDeleteRabbi Dr. Zev Farber writes that this is a secret name of Hashem that was not previously revealed to even the Avot. He reveals a new name to Moshe because this generation, under Moshe's leadership, is special and fundamentally different than what preceded it. I think this is a really interesting way of thinking about Hahsem's relationship with the Avot and Moshe. Hashem is speaking to Moshe and this generation in a way He never did to the Avot through direct prophecy- Ramban (Al Derech Haemet) Genie Tokayer
ReplyDeleteHaamek Davar says that when Hashem says to Moshe אני ה׳ this is to teach us that the entire world keeps going because of Him and His Divine Providence. He then gives an example and says Once a builder is finished building a house the house stands on its own. The world though only stands because Hashem keeps it standing. So Hashem was answering Moshes question by implying that Pharaoh’s decree was because of natural events without Hashem’s Providence. I think this is an interesting interpretation of the words. I do believe that Hashem used these words to emphasize that He is God, maybe to tell Moshe though that Hashem has a plan and that this event needs to happen.
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ReplyDeleteRav Shimshon Rafael Hirsch answers that Hashem used the words “Ani Hashem” to direct an order for the next world. In the previous world, the historical events/ miracles that happened to Binei Yisrael in their history would just be percieved as “nature’s work,” with no influence from G-d. Now, in this new world, Binei Yisrael and all other nations will see that the events/ miracles are really because of Yad Hashem. Therefore, Hashem says “ Ani Hashem” to inform Binei Yisrael that now they will see His control in everything. I think this idea is cool since it shows the growth of Binei Yisrael learning to recognize and appreciate Hashem. I like how the “ Godless” past is acknowledged, but the main focus is on the new hope and plan for the future.
Source: midreshetmoriah.org- written by Mrs. Michal Porat-Zibman
ReplyDeleteThe Sforno comments on this by saying that Hashem said “I am the one” because He wants to tell Moshe that not only He called the world into existence but also that He is the one who maintains the universe all alone. He also wants to tell Moshe that there is no other reason why anything affects His (Hashems) universe. I really like this idea because it shows Hashem’s love for the world especially for Bnei Yisrael.
Mimi Paley
Rashi says, וידבר א-להים אל משה: דבר אתו משפט על שהקשה לדבר ולומר (לעיל ה כב) למה הרעותה לעם הזה:
ReplyDeleteRashi explains that hashem says "I am the Lord" because moshe asks to hashem "why are you harming your people". Moshe is confused as to why hashem has let his people be tortured by the Egyptians. Hashem responds to moshe saying, I am the lord, to tell moshe that he had his reasons for this and he is THE lord and to not question him. I think this opinion makes sense because it makes sense that moshe is confused as to why Hashem let his people suffer for 200 years and is just now saving them. He might also be confused as to why he is asking for moshe's help. So it makes sense that moshe would question hashem.
Rav Shlomo Aviner says by declaring I am Hashem, Hashem is creating a new reality. This is the first time it says “I am your God” in these exact words. By doing this, He is declaring that you are my nation and I am your God and the Jewish people will always be God’s people. There is no such thing as God being separate and the Jewish people being separate. He explains that we are one entity. This unique bond supersedes time and space. He says that it is forever and wherever we are. Rav Aviner quotes the Rambam saying that this is really the entity of the Jewish people that God dwells within us forever. I find this really interesting because it this is the first time it shows so clearly that God is apart of every aspect of our lives and our existence and He is with us through the good times and bad.
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