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It is thus a surprise to find that shemen hamishcha was used to anoint Shaul (Shmuel I, 10:1) and David (ibid. 16:1) as kings. After all, neither of them was a kohen! Rashi (Shemot 30:33) seems to hint at an answer, as he says that it is forbidden to put the oil on a zar "not for the purposes of priesthood or kingdom." In other words, a king is not considered a zar here. This is a difficult answer, though, as whenever a zar is forbidden to do something, a king is included in the prohibition (see Shabbat 31a).
The Ibn Ezra cites an answer from a source from the Geonim – there was a tradition that a special exception was made for David and his descendants. In other words, it is based on the concept that a prophet is allowed to declare a limited exception to halacha for the needs of the time.
The Ramban (Shemot 30:33) gives a more fundamental answer. The use of the holy oil, which was given "for Me for generations" (see Shemot 30:31), was supposed to be used for those who are particularly set aside for Hashem. Whoever is not in that special category is considered a zar in this context. Just as the kohen was anointed to be Hashem’s, so too the king was anointed to be Hashem’s. This, he says, is in line with the pasuk: "I found my servant David, with the oil of My holiness I anointed him." The Ramban explains that since both the kohen and the appointed king are called mashiach (as we find in regard to both Shaul and David), it is appropriate that they use shemen hamishcha.
The conclusion we can arrive at from the Ramban is that the kingdom of Israel, i.e., its political leadership, is part of the "leadership of sanctity." Any attempt to separate between the Torah/religion and between the government in Israel will not work and is against Jewish tradition. One should prefer to connect the two and view the entire leadership as part of the worlds of Torah, spirituality, and the public sphere.
What then is the point of anointing the king with oil if we have seen several times that it is the nation who chooses the king? Let us suggest the following. Every leader has to make decisions based on calculations of gain and loss. At times, especially at critical times, there is a need for divinely provided insight, which we could call "divine assistance" or "the spirit of Hashem," in order to decide. This ability gives the leader a special standing. David and his offspring received this present, for which the anointment is part of the preparation. Let us pray that our public leadership will be blessed with such assistance, even if we no longer have the shemen hamishcha.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
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.
