On the last line of Yosef Daas on 21b, the suggestion to learn more, I assume about the concept of Kneged Mi,can be found in a Sefer Shiurim. Is this accessible online? And does this cover my question? Tosfos makes it sound like something more serious than a mere numbers 'game' (excuse the term).
Thanks
Menachem Bauman, Monsey, NY USA
The Yosef Da'as is referring to the Shi'urim L'Zecher Aba Mari of Rav Soloveitchik, not available online to the best of my knowledge. He says that the Gemara in Megilah 21b is alluding to the original enactment of Keri'as ha'Torah by Moshe Rabeinu to have one person read three Pesukim or three people read one Pasuk, as opposed to the later expanded enactment of Ezra ha'Sofer for three people to read ten Pesukim.
The (Rabbinic) Mitzvah of Keri'as ha'Torah is patterned on the Mitzvah of Hakhel (Devarim 31:10-13) where the king reads parts of the Torah in the presence of Klal Yisrael. In Hakhel, the Torah says "l'Ma'an Yishme'u ul'Ma'an Yilmedu" from which we see that there are two different aspects to reading the Torah.
"Limud" refers to learning in the manner of classic Talmud Torah, understanding what is read. But there is also a Mitzvah of Shemi'ah, where just hearing the words of Torah sheb'Ksav is of value for those who are incapable of learning with comprehension. The inherent value of simply hearing words of Torah without comprehension is unique to Torah sheb'Ksav.
The Mitzvah of Hakhel, the paradigm for the enactment of Keri'as ha'Torah, has two features that are reflected in the three sections of Tanach as well as in the three types of Jews, Kohanim, Leviyim, and Yisraelim. Tanach represents the entire corpus of the Torah sheb'Ksav of which we are reading.
The aspect of Kohanim, Leviyim, and Yisraelim hints to the scope of the audience -- all of Klal Yisrael -- who were present when the Torah was given at Sinai (Devarim 4:10), and is also required for the Mitzvah of Hakhel ("b'Vo Kol Yisrael"), in many ways a reenactment of Sinai. Fittingly, the number of people called to the Torah is three.
The Gemara later in Megilah 23a cited by Tosfos here refers to the later enactment of Keri'as ha'Torah by Ezra. The new enactment introduced an element of comprehension as reflected by the requirement to read at least ten Pesukim in order to afford a better understanding of the topic being read, and the requirement for a Meturgeman to tranlate and explain the Pesukim. The Ro'ei Pnei ha'Melech refer to the Beis Din that instructed Torah to the king so that he would be equipped to lead the nation according to the Torah.
Avraham Phillips