Answer by Al Berko for Is the midrash about the moon and sun being the same...
If I understand right what Abarbanel (c.1500) says (on Isaiah 30.26) - it is all metaphoric:יהיהאורהלבנההמאורהקטןכאורהחמהשהואהמאורהגדולואורהחמהיהיהשבעתיםממהשהואעתה...
View ArticleAnswer by Codes with Hammer for Is the midrash about the moon and sun being...
Scientific answer:To a ground-based observer, the moon and the sun appear the same size. A total solar eclipse demonstrates this.
View ArticleAnswer by Menachem for Is the midrash about the moon and sun being the same...
Rabbeinu Bechaya (Bamidbar 28:15), mentioned in this answer (here's a more clear printing of the text), does say the the moon was literally diminished. He just says that the diminishment was not meant...
View ArticleIs the midrash about the moon and sun being the same size intended literally?
The Rambam in his introduction to perek Chelek discusses midrashic literalist, and classifies different approaches of different groups to midrash. He writes:You should know that as to [understanding]...
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