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Simcha bat Chana
This section of narrative affects two things structurally within Melachim. One is that it breaks up the discussion of the history of the kings and instead focuses on prophets. The other is that it abandons discussion of the older and more illustrious Kingdom of Judea, whose kings were descendants of David, to focus on the Kingdom of Israel, or the Northern Kingdom. (Eliyahu and Elisha belonged to the tribes of the North and interacted with their kings, as recorded in the text.) In contrast, Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles), which deals primarily with the Kingdom of Judea, mentions Eliyahu only in passing, as sending a message to Yehoram the King of Judea, and does not mention Elisha at all.
Let us take a closer look at the structure of Melachim. The book starts with a united kingdom being passed down from King David to his son, Shlomo. After the kingdom splits, the narrative alternates between a discussion of one kingdom and the other. However, from chapter 17 of Melachim I until the middle of chapter 8 of Melachim II, only the Israelite Kingdom is discussed, with Judea being mentioned only when it interacted with its brother kingdom. The last part of Melachim II resumes its consecutive discussion of the two kingdoms. Why does Judea disappear during a certain period?
This silence is apparently a stinging censure of the Kingdom of Judea, primarily after the death of Yehoshafat. The new king, Yehoram, lowered the nation to unprecedented levels, both in regard to religious life and in regard to basic civil justice. Divrei Hayamim (II, 21:4) does deal with this period, and describes how Yehoram killed off all of his brothers and caused the people to sin horribly (ibid. 6:11). Scripture also details severe retribution that was meted out against him, as his property and even his family were captured by invaders, and he died of a harsh disease (ibid. 16-19).
Yehoram’s only son, Achazya took over for his father and, according to Chazal, continued his evil ways (Sanhedrin 102b). He was "outdone" only by his mother, Atalya, who plundered the Temple and killed out almost all of the family of David, to prevent challenge to her usurpation of the throne (ibid. 22:10 and 24:7).
Ezra the Scribe, who wrote Divrei Hayamim with Divine Spirit, decided to criticize the kings of Judea of that period. Yirmiya, who wrote Melachim, followed a prophecy that told him to criticize by removing that period of Judean history from the national annals. It is hard to decide which form of censure is the more poignant.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
