YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
Yotam was well described by his name, which hints at completeness in righteousness. The first two letters of his name hint at Hashem’s name and the final two letters spell tam, meaning complete or righteous. In fact, Yotam is the only king, including the righteous ones, of whom there is no hint of sin or criticism. There is no mention of problematic behavior – not in Melachim, nor in Divrei Hayamim, nor in the words of the prophets who operated in his time (Hoshea, Amos, Yeshaya, and Micha).
There is extreme praise for Yotam in the writings of Chazal. The gemara in Sukka (45b), for example, says that if the merit of Yotam were added on to those of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son they could save the world from the time of its creation until the end of time. Rashi (ad loc.) said the following: "Yotam ben Uziyahu was a righteous man, who was more humble than other kings. He merited to show honor to his father, and for this reason, the pasuk "a son shall honor his father" (Malachi 1:6) is attributed to him, for all the days that his father suffered from leprosy and Yotam would judge the people, as it says ‘Yotam the son of the king was over the palace judging’ (Melachim II, 15:5), he did not wear the crown during his [father’s] life, and all the rulings he rendered he did in his father’s name." Rabbi Tzaddok Hacohen said that he was the completion of King Shlomo, as there was nothing lacking in him.
A couple weeks ago we discussed the phenomenon of passages in the Prophets that do not seem to work out from a historical perspective. This phenomenon occurs in regard to Yotam, as well. The navi, speaking about the parallel king of the Northern Tribes of Israel, says that Hoshea ben Elah became king during the twentieth year of the reign of Yotam (Melachim II, 15:30). This is difficult because Yotam was king for only sixteen years and was succeeded by Achaz, who was a wicked king. One of the answers of the author of Seder Olam (a historical work from a scholar of the Talmudic period) is that the navi preferred to date to the beginning of Yotam’s reign, after he died, rather than to Achaz, while he lived.
We now see the completion of the circle. Yotam’s father was a sinner who was considered dead when he was alive, and Yotam, his righteous son, was considered alive when he was dead. Life and death can refer to moral statuses rather than biological ones.
Let us pray for a "resurrection of the dead," in the form of a return of the whole nation to proper values, and a realization that spiritual elevation and performing good deeds are more important than material gain.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
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.
