Hashem’s children and the Torah. Is there any connection more unlimited in its potential? Any relationship more transcendent? Any bond more iconic to our
ארבע אבות נזיקין השור ןהבור ןהמבעה וההבער
There are four master categories of damages the שור (ox), the בור (pit) the מבעה (?) and the הבער (fire).
The first, third and fourth terms are absolutely clear, and in sequential lockstep with their appearance in Parshat Mishpatim. Damage related to oxen is described in Exodus 21:25-32 and 35-36. Damage caused by a pit is in 21:4. Damage by fire is in 22:5.
Yet NOWHERE in Mishpatim, NOWHERE in the entire Torah, NOWHERE in the Hebrew lexicon – ancient to modern – can the word
מבעה (mav’eh) be found.
The scholars of the Talmud (
amoraim) were at a loss to make sense of this unknown word. Indeed, they go through incredible contortions and flights of fancy in their attempts to find anything even remotely cognate in Scripture. Ever since, thousands of gallons of ink have been spilt and countless hours in the yeshivahs and kollels have been expended on decoding this mysterious word