If the previous Pasuk ends the introduction to the Shirah, what is the gist of the remaining five Parshiros until Shevi'i?
Seforno: The rest of the Shirah 1 is divided into five parts 1. Hashem's objective when He created the world and how the early generations failed to achieve it; so Hashem raised Yisrael to the highest levels 2 (until Shelishi). 2. He granted them an ideal location in which to serve Him joyfully, but they rebelled against Him and repaid evil for good, earning themselves a heavy punishment (until Revi'i). 3. Due to their sins they deteriorated to a point where they deserved to be wiped out, only due to the Chilul Hashem that would have ensued, they were spared (until Chamishi). 4. The Pasuk goes on to list the causes of the Ge'ulah that will take place at the end of days (until Shishi). 5. And it concludes with details concerning the Ge'ulah and the revenge that Hashem will take against the enemies of His people. 3
Seforno: Following the introduction which teaches us Hashem's Righteousness - that He is reliable to reward those who do good and when He punishes the Resha'im, He does so without a trace of injustice.
Seforno: As He will do once again at the end of days with those who remain.
This summary of the first six Parshiyos of 'Ha'azinu' is known as 'Haziv Lach' - which is the acronym of the first letters of those six Parshiyos.
What are the connotations of "Z'chor Y'mos Olam"?
Rashi: 'Remember the early generations who angered Hashem'.
Ramban (in Pasuk 7, according to the Ibn Ezra): 'Remember the good that Hashem did with you during the six days of the creation.
Rashbam: 'Remember how, before you were even born, Hashem already prepared (the land of) your inheritance'.
Seforno: Refer to 32:7:1:1*. 'Remember Hashem's ways of goodness, His plans for mankind in general - when right at the beginning, He placed Adam ha'Rishon in Gan Eden - but he sinned'.
Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Rosh: Remember the good that Hashem did for Yisrael.
What is the meaning of "Binu Sh'nos Dor va'Dor"?
Rashi #1: 'Reflect upon the generations of Enosh, whom Hashem swamped with the water of the oceans, and the generation of the Flood'.
Rashi #2: It refers to the future: You did not take note of the past; at least take note of the future - that Hashem has the ability to inherit to you the days of Mashi'ach and Olam ha'Ba.
Ramban (according to the Ibn Ezra): 'Reflect upon the good that Hashem did with Yisrael 1 after the Shechinah rested with them. 2
Seforno: 'Reflect also how Hashem did good to the subsequent generations until the Dor ha'Mabul, and to the generations from the Mabul and the Haflagah - and how they too, sinned.
Hadar Zekenim: 'Refect how, before Yisrael were in the world, Hashem already prepared for them a place (Da'as Zekenim and Rosh - in every generation).
Who are "Avicha" and "Zekeinecha" referring to?
Rashi: "Avocha" refers to the prophets, who are called 'Avos', 1 and "Zekeinecha", to the Chachamim. 2
Ramban: Both, which are meant literally, refer to people who understand the past and can tell you about them.
Targum Yonasan: They refer to reading the Torah and Sifrei ha'Nevi'im respectively. 3
What are the implications of "She'al Avicha Veyagedcha ... "?
Shabbos, 23a: It implies that Mitzos de'Rabbanan are also min ha'Torah and therefore justifies the text in the B'rachah 'asher Kidshanu be'Mitzvosav ve'Tzivanu Lehadlik Ner ha'Chanukah' - and in similar Mitzvos de'Rabbanan. 1
Oznayim la'Torah: It is the means to achieve "Z'chor Y'mos Olam", because the traditions of our past are handed down from father to son - at the Seider-table,
See also references cited in Torah Temimah, note 46.
