+- Jewish Forums (https://www.thehebrewcafe.com/forum)
+-- Forum: Main Forums (https://www.thehebrewcafe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Israel (https://www.thehebrewcafe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=28)
+--- Thread: Israel never return to Egypt (/showthread.php?tid=1649)
Israel never return to Egypt - COmentator - 08-06-2025
The Prohibition Against Living in Egypt - Parshat Ki Tavo - Chabad.org
Yerida - Wikipedia
Never Return to Egypt | My Jewish Learning
is there a jewish word for someone who disregards Moses and Joshua warning that Jews in Israel must not go down from Israel to Egypt (goy nations)?
While there isn't one specific Hebrew word that perfectly encapsulates someone who disregards Moses and Joshua's warning about Jews not returning to Egypt, several related terms and concepts exist within Jewish thought:
Yerida (ירידה): Literally meaning "descent," this term describes the act of emigrating from Israel. While it doesn't specifically target those returning to Egypt, it reflects the negative connotation associated with leaving the Land of Israel, particularly for countries perceived as less spiritually pure or that might lead to assimilation.
Mumar (מומר): This term refers to a Jew who has "changed" and abandoned their faith, according to Wikipedia. While not exclusively about the Egypt prohibition, it encompasses the act of rejecting core Jewish practices or beliefs, including those related to dwelling in the Land of Israel or avoiding negative influences.
Poshea Yisrael (פושע ישראל): This means "transgressor of Israel" and also describes a Jew who has strayed from the path of Jewish law and tradition. This broader term includes the disregard of warnings like those concerning Egypt.
It's important to consider that the prohibition against returning to Egypt stems from several concerns outlined in the Torah, including:
Avoiding Immoral Practices: Egyptian society was considered to be highly immoral, and returning there was seen as a risk of negative influence on the Jewish people.
Affront to God: Returning to Egypt would be an affront to God, who specifically saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Loss of Holiness: Some Jewish teachings suggest that Egypt was emptied of its holiness when the Israelites left, and returning there would be a spiritually unproductive act.
In conclusion, while "Yerida" describes the act of emigration from Israel, and terms like "Mumar" and "Poshea Yisrael" address the broader concept of abandoning Jewish practice, there isn't a single Hebrew word used specifically to denote someone who disregards the warning about returning to Egypt.
Based on the information available, there isn't one specific Jewish word that precisely encapsulates someone who disregards Moses and Joshua's warning about Jews in Israel not going down to Egypt (or "goy nations"). However, related terms and concepts from Jewish tradition can shed light on this scenario:
Mumar: This Hebrew term literally means "one who is changed" and refers to an apostate, someone who rejects Judaism, according to Wikipedia. While not solely focused on the "return to Egypt" aspect, disregarding core commandments and warnings from the Torah, such as the prohibition against relying on other nations instead of God, could be seen as a form of apostasy.
Kofer: This term translates to "denier" or "heretic" and is used to describe someone who denies the divine inspiration of the Torah or the authority of the Oral Law.
Tinok shenishba: This Talmudic term translates to "captured infant" and refers to a Jew who sins inadvertently due to having been raised without sufficient knowledge and understanding of Judaism. This highlights the importance of education and understanding in Jewish tradition.
Avodah Zarah: This term refers to idolatry, the worship of "strange gods" or "idols" instead of God alone. The warnings against returning to Egypt or interacting closely with other nations were often rooted in the fear that Jews would be led astray and worship other gods or adopt immoral practices. Therefore, choosing to go to Egypt despite the warnings could be seen as a step towards Avodah Zarah.
The core issue revolves around obedience to God's commandments and warnings found in the Torah. Disregarding these warnings would be considered a form of sin or transgression, according to The Jewish Theological Seminary. The specific context of the "return to Egypt" was significant because it represented a potential rejection of the path God had chosen for the Israelites and a possible return to the idolatry and immoral practices they had left behind.
In conclusion, while no single word perfectly fits the description, several concepts in Jewish tradition address the behavior of disregarding divine warnings and laws, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and maintaining one's unique identity as a member of the Jewish people