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Variations of the Hebrew word zakhor—translated as "remember"—appear multiple times throughout the Torah: the Israelites are instructed to actively remember pivotal events in their history, like the Exodus from Egypt, and God is described as remembering individuals like Noah and God's covenant with the patriarchs. Later sources in the Jewish textual tradition discuss the role of communal memory in Judaism, the value of committing Torah teachings to memory, and how to preserve historical memory through daily actions and prayers.
Notable Sources
All Sources
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A Universal Memory
TANAKH
One of the first mentions of memory in the Torah is a universal reminder of God's covenant with all living creatures, symbolized by the rainbow. In the book of Genesis, God places a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of a promise to never again destroy all life with a flood.
Remembering Shabbat
TANAKH
The commandment to remember Shabbat underscores the role of memory in preserving the sanctity and holiness of the day. In the version of the Ten Commandments that features in the book of Exodus, the Israelites are instructed to remember Shabbat.
Trumpets as a Call to Memory
TANAKH
Using trumpets during religious observances was a tool to invoke divine memory and presence. In the book of Numbers, the Israelites are commanded to use trumpets during joyous occasions, festivals, and new moon days to accompany offerings and sacrificesץ
Preserving Memory Across Generations
TANAKH
Actively remembering and teaching future generations ensures that memories do not fade and are preserved throughout the generations. Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah, emphasizes the importance of recalling and transmitting the experiences and laws given by God to maintain faith and continuity in Jewish tradition.
The Ethics of Memory
MISHNAH
One is not mortally guilty for forgetting their study unless they deliberately remove it from their heart, highlighting the importance of intentionality in retaining Torah knowledge. Pirkei Avot, a tractate of the Mishnah, emphasizes ethical and moral teachings, particularly the significance of diligent Torah study and the consequences of neglecting it.
Miriam's Moral Lesson
MIDRASH
Miriam's story highlights the consequences of malicious speech and stinginess. Devarim Rabbah, an early medieval midrash on the book of Deuteronomy, uses the incident of Miriam's leprosy to impart a moral lesson about the ethical and spiritual implications of actions.
Eradicating the Memory of Amalek
COMMENTARY
Some understand the command to eradicate the memory of Amalek as so absolute that it extends to erasing any trace of their existence, ensuring their name is never mentioned again. Rashi, the eminent 11th-century French biblical commentator emphasizes the thoroughness required in this task.
Divine Memory and Mercy
MIDRASH
God’s memory of Abraham’s righteousness saved Lot, highlighting the enduring impact of righteous actions. The midrashic text Bereshit Rabbah explores the theme of divine memory and mercy through the story of Abraham and Lot.
The Power of Memory in Holiness
COMMENTARY
Remembering the commandments of God leads to holiness and prevents defilement by the lusts of the heart. Ibn Ezra, a prominent medieval Jewish commentator, emphasizes the importance of memory in maintaining holiness and rationality.
The Soul's Forgotten Wisdom
COMMENTARY
A rabbinic tradition maintains that the soul possesses divine wisdom before birth, but this knowledge is forgotten upon entering the physical world. Rabbeinu Bachya’s commentary on Leviticus explores the soul’s pre-birth wisdom and the spiritual challenges faced in earthly existence.
Transcending Time Through Spiritual Memory
JEWISH THOUGHT
Spiritual elevation transcends time and conquers forgetfulness, activating a timeless spiritual memory. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, a prominent early 20th-century Jewish thinker and mystic, explores the concept of spiritual memory in his collection of writings, Shemonah Kevatzim.
Invoking Isaac's Merit
COMMENTARY
Invoking the merit of Isaac's willingness to be sacrificed serves as a powerful plea for divine mercy and compassion. Tze'enah Ure'enah, a Yiddish commentary on the Torah, reflects the Jewish tradition of invoking the patriarchs' merits, particularly Isaac's near-sacrifice.
The Tizkar Memory Ritual
HALAKHAH
The Ethiopian Jewish tizkar ceremony offers a unique perspective on memory and mourning, emphasizing a private, home-based observance that maintains a clear separation between the living and the dead. Rabbi Sharon Shalom's work explores the ancient practices of the Beta Israel community, providing insights into their unique customs and how they can be integrated into the broader Jewish tradition.
Commemorating Memory in Israel
RESPONSA
The integration of memorial days into Israel's customs highlights the importance of collective memory and honoring the past. Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin discusses the practical and communal aspects of observing Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron, including the unique customs in Israel and the absence of a siren outside the country.
Memory and Recollection
SECOND TEMPLE
Philo of Alexandria uses the figures of Ephraim and Manasseh to illustrate the symbolic distinction between memory and recollection. Philo, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, blends Jewish theology with Greek philosophy to offer allegorical interpretations of the Hebrew Bible.
Memory in Jewish Identity
COMMENTARY
Memory and historical consciousness are essential to Jewish identity, helping to maintain continuity with the past and avoid disaster. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks emphasizes the importance of remembering the past as a key element of Jewish identity, aligning with Moses' warnings in Deuteronomy.
Eternal Remembrance of Fallen Heroes
LITURGY
The Yizkor prayer offers a profound and personal way to honor the memory of fallen soldiers, reflecting the enduring gratitude and connection felt by the Jewish community. This memorial prayer, recited during significant Jewish holidays, emphasizes the heroism and eternal remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives.
The Power of Remembrance
MUSAR
Memory is essential for retaining good qualities and repenting from evil ones. The medieval ethical work Orchot Tzadikim offers a methodical approach to strengthening memory through regular review and self-examination.
״If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither״ (Psalms 137:5). Moshe Ben Yitzhak (Persia before 1870 - Jerusalem, 1930s), "Mizrah" (1910), painting behind glass, Gross family collection, Tel Aviv.
״If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither״ (Psalms 137:5). Moshe Ben Yitzhak (Persia before 1870 - Jerusalem, 1930s), "Mizrah" (1910), painting behind glass, Gross family collection, Tel Aviv.
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