2

I have been told that the Rokeach, in his introduction to sefer Devarim, writes that

מספר משנה תורה - MiSefer Mishneh Torah shares the same gematria (1386) as סמוכים לעד לעולם עשויים באמת ויושר - They stand fast for ever and ever, done in truth and uprightness. (Tehillim 111:8).

Where exactly can this Rokeach be found? I have searched but could not find it unfortunately. Also, what exactly does it mean, that these two are related through having the same gematria?

Rashi on this posuk in Tehillim explains that:

Steadfast are His commandments, supported by might, strengthened with punishments and warnings, and the chapters are set one next to the other in sequence and to expound on them. This is what Solomon said (Song 5:15): “His thighs are pillars of marble, etc.”

But I don't see the connection it has with "MiSefer Mishneh Torah".

Edit: thanks to @Harel13 for pointing to the sefer that has it. If anyone could explain what the Rokeach means, that would be much appreciated.

Improve this question
3
  • What are you trying to prove by quoting the Rashi?
    – Dov
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 12:34
  • @Dov my own way to trying understanding this. I looked into that Rashi, because in sefer Devorim, we also find the Tocheichah (Devorim 28 for example). Rashi says "strenghtened with punishments", so that's why.
    – Shmuel
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 12:41
  • Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/136050/…
    – Shmuel
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 13:43

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3

It's from the Rokeach's book Sodei Razei Smuchim (link).

He seems to be clarifying a statement in the gemara regarding learning ideas via juxtaposition of certain words and verses (smichut) in the Torah. One view in the gemara is that there are ideas to be learnt via juxtaposition. Another view is that there aren't, except with regards to Devarim, AKA Sefer Mishneh Torah. The Rokeach is apparently explaining why even according to those who disagree with the notion of smichut, it can still be learned in Devarim - because of the stated gematria connection. The Rokeach's book, however, seems to follow the first opinion, and presents Smichut concepts from the entirety of the Torah.

For general information regarding the book, see here (PDF link).

Improve this answer
4
  • Wow, much appreciated Harel. I am also wondering what he means.
    – Shmuel
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 12:41
  • 1
    @Shmuel see my edit, I think I got it now.
    – Harel13
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 12:54
  • Greatly appreciated. One more, last thing, what is the connection of סמוכים לעד לעולם עשויים באמת ויושר - They stand fast for ever and ever, done in truth and uprightness. (Tehillim 111:8) with that Gemara and the explanation of the Rokeach?
    – Shmuel
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 12:58
  • 1
    @Shmuel the verse was quoted a few lines prior in the gemara to show that there is a concept of smuchim.
    – Harel13
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 13:04
1

The question posed from Yevamot 4a is how do we learn the principle of homiletical interpretation from the Written Torah? Where is the source for this style of Torah study?

Rabbi Elazar says that we learn this from the posuk in Tehillim, chapter 111:8 which says:

סְמוּכִ֣ים לָעַ֣ד לְעוֹלָ֑ם עֲ֝שׂוּיִ֗ם בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת וְיָשָֽׁר׃

What the Rokeach is pointing out in ספר סודי רזי סמוכים is that the gematria of: עשוים באמת וישר, which is 1,385, when including the Kollel totals 1,386.

And that this is also the gematria of: מספר משנה תורה which totals 1,386.

In other words, the source for this type of Torah explanation in the Written Torah according to Rabbi Elazar is found in Sefer Devarim, which is called Mishneh Torah.

Improve this answer
5
  • "the source for this type of Torah explanation in the Written Torah according to Rabbi Elazar is found in Sefer Devarim" - is this because in sefer Devorim we review what is stated in the earlier books (hence the name Mishneh Torah) or does this mean that the explanation for this Gemara can be found in a posuk in sefer Devarim? Sorry for my misunderstanding this.
    – Shmuel
    Commented Nov 19, 2023 at 18:57
  • 1
    @Shmuel As I understand the language from Yevamot 4a, Rabbi Elazar is saying the Midoraita source for the principle of homiletical interpretation is found somewhere in sefer Devarim. It does not detail how specifically that is learned out, only that it is there.
    – Yaacov Deane
    Commented Nov 20, 2023 at 3:39
  • sorry for my ignorance, but what is kollel when we speak about gematria?
    – Shmuel
    Commented Jan 15 at 20:27
  • @Shmuel Good question. It is including more in the count for the whole word or phrase. The concept is found everywhere in this type of teaching and is based upon the general teaching from Moshe Rabbeinu about the relationship between VaYakhel ויקהל and Pekudei פקודי.
    – Yaacov Deane
    Commented Jan 16 at 15:56
  • hmm, this might would be a good next question. Do you know where I can read more about this? I am not familair with the exact rules of gematria, I usually go by the method of the Baal HaTurim.
    – Shmuel
    Commented Jan 16 at 16:29

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .