[Avodah] [Areivim] VASHTI'S TAIL ETC

[SBA]

From: "Mike Miller" <>
 Moshe Yehuda Gluck <> wrote:
> If we believe in Kriyas Yam Suf, Matan Torah and Nevuah, why do we have a
> problem believing in Vashti's tail?

Perhaps because those are written in Tanach, and the tail is only
found in Medrashim.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(Megila 12b): "Omar R' Yosi bar Chanina melamed sheporcho bo tzoraas.
Bemisnita tono: Bo Gavriel ve'oso lo zonov..."

The Maharsho quotes the baal ha'Aruch: "Kol dovor shehu yeser,
sheinu kemidas chavero...koruy zonov..."

And then comments: "Velo yodano mi hichricho lefaresh kach,
ve'eime dezonov mamesh oso lo kebeheimeh..."

>>>>

If it's good enough for the Maharsho, it's good enough for me
- and my kids...

>I know of no klal that "ein medrash yotzei miydei peshuto."

There also is no chiyuv lehotzi'o miydei peshuto.

And how do you explain 'sheporcho bo tzoraas'?
Is that k'peshutoy? If not, does anyone offer a REAL pshat?

OTOH, if it is, how often do we find a maamar Chazal
that is half kepshutoy and the other half not?

(This question is not only to listmembers)

>Additionally, such an explicity supernatural occurance seems out of
place in the (superficially) natural story of the megilah.

Out of place?  I think it can somehow be included in the
"Al Hanissim".

From: "Simi Peters" <>
There really is no problem with teaching these midrashim literally to second
graders.  The problem  is that they are never then taught these midrashim
differently when they are capable of more abstract thinking (fifth or sixth
grade, let's say.)
>>

Nisht gezorgt. They'll get plenty of chances as they learn gemoro

> visualizes Vashti as having horns
Where is that Midrash?

> If we believe in Kriyas Yam Suf, Matan Torah and Nevuah, why do we have a
> problem believing in Vashti's tail?    >  MYG

RSM: Because we're not *supposed* to "believe" in Vashti's tail, at least
according to the overwhelming majority of Rishonim (starting with the
Rambam).
>>>>>>>>>.

Not supposed to believe !!??

Sounds like a 'chumra of the year"...

SBA