What are the connotations of "Ki Esa el Shamayim Yadi"?
Rashi #1 (according to R. Yehudah) and Targum Yonasan: 'Because, in My burning anger, I will raise My hand to Myself 1 in an oath'. 2
Rashi #2 (according to R. Nechemyah, citing Targum Onkelos): 'Because I permanently rest My Shechinah 3 in the Heaven'. 4
Ramban #1: 'I will raise My Hand to swear by My Throne!' 5
Ramban #2 (According to Kabalah): It refers to Hashem's Right Hand - the 'Yad ha'Gedolah' 6 that fights on behalf of Yisrael, 7 and which 'I cast down from Heaven to earth at the time of the Galus ... ".
Seforno, Rashbam and Targum Yonasan: 'I raise My Hand to the Heaven to swear' 8 .
See Sifsei Chachamim.
Rashbam: As in Bereishis 14:22, and as in Daniel, 12:7 (Seforno). See also Oznayim la'Torah, who cites Zecharyah, 14:4.
"Yadi refers to the location of the Shechinah - as in Bamidbar, 2:17 - "Ish AlYado".
Rashi: Even if the weaker rival is on high ground, the stronger rival, who is on lower ground, is afraid of him, how much more so a weaker rival below fears a stronger rival above!
Ramban: Because whoever swears, raises his hand and touches the object on which he is swearing.
See 14:31.
Ramban: Which is synonymous with 'Tif'eres Yisrael'.
Seforno: As in Daniel.12:7 - and as in Lech-L'cha, Bereishis, 14:22 (Rashbam).
What are the implications of "Chai Anochi Le'olam"?
Rashi #1 (according to R. Yehudah) and Seforno: 'Chai Anochi' is the wording of the oath 1 - ' I swear that as I live forever ... !' 2
Rashi (43, according to R. Nechemyah): refer to 32:40:1:2*. 'I could have punished you there and then; However, since I live forever, I was in no hurry to punish you. I can punish in your lifetimes, or after death. 3
Ramban: 'I am now going to revive My Right Hand (Refer to 32:40:1:4), when I sharpen the blade of My sword ... . 4
Targum Yonasan: 'Just as I exist, so will I not negate My oath forever!'
Rashi: As in Sh'lach-L'cha Bamidbar, 14:28.
Seforno: As in Daniel, 12:7.
Rashi: Something which a human king cannot do, since he is afraid that either he or his enemy will die before he manages to exact punishment.
See next Pasuk.
