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"...for if he should leave his father, he will die."

stillsmallvoice

The Narn rule!
May 8, 2002
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Hi all!

This past Saturday we (Jews all over the world) read Genesis 44:18-47:27 in synagogue. Genesis 44:22 (part of Judah's plea to Joseph) says:

"...for if he should leave his father, he will die."

(Versions such as the KJV, NKJV & RSV which read, "...for if he should leave his father, his father will die," are wrong. The original Hebrew (v'azav et aviv va'met is ambiguous & does not specify who would die; the translation I have given is more accurate.)

Some of our Sages interpret this passage metaphorically and say that if we leave our Father in Heaven (as a Jew, I would say, our Father in Heaven whose Torah is the source of all life, see Deuteronomy 32:46-47), then we will die (figuratively, i.e. inwardly, spiritually).

Be well!

ssv :wave: