Romans 7 אגרת פולוס השליח אל-הרומיים

1. Who is Paul now addressing in vs. 1 and what is the meaning of קא משמע לן  “ka mashma lan” and how does Paul use it?

2. How does Paul use the analogy of marriage to make a point regarding how observing Torah has no effect on the יֵצֶר הַרַע yatzer hara, the evil inclination, and how is his conclusion similar to that of Rabbi Simon & Rabbi Jonathan in the midrash?

3. Explain the Halacha (Jewish Law) of marriage, what does the Torah say about a woman who’s husband dies or one who divorces her and how does this apply in Romans 7?  Does this mean the Torah dies to us?

4. What therefore is the effect of the Torah according to Paul?

5. What is the meaning of חליצה‎‎ Chalitzah and Yibbum and how does it correspond to "dying to sin"?

6. What is the connection between “coveting” and the themes of divorce, and the “spirit of the flesh” in which Paul is describing?

7. Furthermore, what connection is there between coveting and idolatry and adultery; and how do we see this since the Creation?

8. How does Paul say that the Torah deceived and killed him, and is there any evidence that this is supported by Rabbinic literature?

9. What does Paul mean when he says, “for I do not understand what I am doing..” when we sin, what does this mean?

10. Paul describes the struggle between the Spirit and the Flesh that is in all of us, and also describes his “intentions” to do good but his/our inability to do it.  Is he making the point that what really matters is what a person “intends” to do or something else?  Explain…