[HANASHIR:16979] RE: midrash explanation

[Linda Salvay <Linda...>]

I found the following explanation of the midrash at
<http://shamash3.shamash.org/tanach/tanach/commentary/enayim/vayechi.enayim.
96>
I¹ve seen several variations on this idea, as well as an explanation that
Moshe ³stole² the ³baruch shem k¹vod...² from the angels when he was on
Sinai receiving the law, and therefore we whisper it because it is ³stolen
property.² (I find this somewhat distasteful, personally...)

B¹shalom,
Linda Salvay


The  Talmud (Pesachim 56a) ... explain(s) the custom of reciting the phrase
"Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuto" silently during shema.  The Midrash... relates
that Yaakov feared that he was denied knowledge of the redemption because
some of his children did not have complete faith in G-d and, consequently,
were unworthy of this information.  To assuage their father's fear, the
brothers unanimously responded, "Sh'ma Yisrael Hashem Eloheinu Hashem
Echad".  Yaakov,  stirred by this declaration of faith, responded by saying
"Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuto Le'olam Va'ed."  Thus a dilemma was created -
whether to say "Baruch Shem..." as Yaakov did or to omit it as Moshe did
when he wrote the Torah.  As a compromise, the sages decided that the phrase
should be recited silently.



On 3/2/04 2:26 PM, "DEBORAH GINSBURG" <andmg (at) uaa(dot)alaska(dot)edu> wrote:

> I'd like that one too, please. I've been trying to remember where I found it,
> cause I can't find it again!
>  
> Thanks.
>  
> Deb Ginsburg
> Congregation Beth Sholom
> Anchorage, AK
> andmg (at) uaa(dot)alaska(dot)edu
> 
> 
> From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
> shamash(dot)org] On Behalf
> Of Ellen Allard
> Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 11:12 AM
> To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Subject: [HANASHIR:16976] midrash explanation
> 
> Dear All,
> 
>  
> 
> There is a midrash about why ³Baruch Shem Kavod?² is said quietly by some. If
> anyone could explain this (please email me privately), I would greatly
> appreciate it! Thanks in advance.
> 
>  
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Ellen (and Peter)
> 
> -----
> 
> 80-Z Music, Inc.
> 
> Please visit us at http://www.peterandellen.com
> 
> -----
> 
> "Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."  John W.
> Whitehead
> 
> 
>