Guiding Questions: I Samuel 28

Exploring Judaism

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

Why are we told of Samuel’s death at this point in the text? Had we not already been informed of his death?
What are the “urim” in I Samuel 28:6?
Many thinkers in Jewish history have been uncomfortable understanding the necromancy in this chapter literally. Rav Hai Gaon and Maimonides are examples of men who reject a literal reading of this chapter. What are some alternative understandings of the events involving Samuel and the necromancer?

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Exploring Judaism

Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).
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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

Exploring Judaism

Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

Post categories: Neviim (Prophets), Samuel I, Tanakh, Tanakh Yomi

Post tags: I Samuel 28, Perek Yomi (USCJ)

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Exploring Judaism is a home for the TorahRefers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, also called the Five Books of Moses, Pentateuch or the Hebrew equivalent, Humash. This is also called the Written Torah. The term may also refer to teachings that expound on Jewish tradition. of Conservative Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. There is always something to learn and explore.