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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
Lessons
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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.
