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Beit Midrash
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Even in the cases where there were disagreements between the two, it was Yoav who was particularly zealous in support of David and his kingdom. The most poignant example is in regard to Avshalom’s rebellion against David. While David gave instructions to defeat but avoid harming the rebellious Avshalom, Yoav decided to kill him (Shmuel II, 18). In mentioning Yoav’s support for Adoniya, the navi (Melachim I, 2:28) says that Yoav supported Adoniya but not Avshalom, which seems obvious considering Yoav’s brutal killing of Avshalom. Chazal actually infer from the wording there that he did not actively support Avshalom, but he actually went through a stage where he planned to. What would have led Yoav to support Avshalom, and what caused him to change his mind?
Yoav’s faith in David was shaken when he received written instructions from him to bring Uriya, the husband of Bat Sheva, who was one of his elite and trusted soldiers, to the front lines and then abandon him to be killed by the enemy (Shmuel II 11:15). He now understood that when David had previously called for his return home from the front that it was not for Uriya’s benefit. It is likely that at that time he thought that David should be replaced. If so, what made him change his mind? Clearly, it is the same thing that made Hashem forgive David: a complete and totally sincere process of repentance that David underwent. It included realizing the sin, having true remorse including doing practical actions that proved it, and taking active steps to bolster his acceptance not to sin in the future. All of these elements are alluded to in Tehillim 51. He also accepted with understanding the loss of Ru’ach Hakodesh (divine spirit) for a period of time and physical and spiritual punishments such as the death of children, leprosy, and exclusion from social connection with the scholars of the generation for a time (see Sanhedrin 107a).
Yoav saw all of this and, realizing some of the power of repentance, decided that David should remain king, and therefore, opposed Avshalom’s quest for the crown. According to his understanding, though, even repentance did not justify the kingdom being handed down to, of all people, Shlomo, the son of Bat Sheva, in relation to whom David had sinned. The truth is that repentance is so powerful that it is at the foundation of the blossoming of the House of David and his son Shlomo’s building of the Beit Hamikdash.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
