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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Yossef ben Simcha
The gemara (Menachot 109b) quotes Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachya, who was a nasi (head of the Jewish community of Israel): "At first, whoever would tell me to ascend to the nesiut, I would have tied him up and placed him before a lion. Now, if someone would tell me to stop being nasi, I would throw a container of boiling water on him. This is what we see in Shaul’s life, as he originally ran away from leadership, and when he became king, he wanted to kill David [for threatening his dynasty]." While Rav Yehoshua ben Perachya felt the difficulty of giving up power and Shaul failed in this regard, Yonatan was able to actually save and help his rival ascend to the throne.
The deep friendship between David and Yonatan began after David’s defeat of Goliat. The navi relates that they made a pact and that Yonatan took off his cloak and gave it to David along with his battle equipment (Shmuel I, 18:3-4). We see in other episodes having to do with Shaul that the cloak is the symbol of the right to kingdom. When Shmuel informed Shaul that he had lost the kingdom and Shaul (accidentally) ripped Shmuel’s garment, Shmuel responded that this was a sign that Hashem had ripped the kingdom away from him (ibid. 15: 26-28). Giving over the military equipment was also a sign of giving over responsibility for the army, which is also a responsibility of the king. Later on, Yonatan said explicitly: "You will rule over Israel, and I will be for you a second in command" (ibid. 23:27).
Based on an explanation I heard from my teacher, Rav Yehoshua Bachrach, we can explain the opening to our haftara along the same lines. "Tomorrow is the new month" is a reference to the fact that in the near future, there will be a new moon, with the significance being that the Davidic dynasty is compared to the moon (see Rashi, Rosh Hashana 25b). The words "v’nifkadta ki yipaked moshavecha" have a double meaning as well, as not only does it mean that you will be missed because your place will be empty but also that you will be appointed to an important position. Rashi explains the beginning of the next pasuk, "v’shilashta teireid m’od," as: on the third day you will go deep into hiding. However, shalish can also refer to a military leader (see Shemot 14:7). The root reid also can refer to dominion, as is found in Bereishit 1:28 regarding man’s dominion over the animal kingdom. Finally "you will come to the place" can be hinting to the fact that David will be the one to find "the place that Hashem will choose" (Devarim 12:5) and build the Beit Hamikdash there.
Hopefully we will soon have leaders who will see the potential in others to succeed in leadership and promote that which is in the best interests of the nation, not the interests of themselves and their families.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
