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Throughout the generations, only a kohen gadol, kohen mashuach milchama, and a king were anointed with shemen hamischa (Rambam, Klei Hamikdash 1:7). However, at the time of Moshe and Aharon, even Aharon’s sons were anointed as regular kohanim (Vayikra 8:30). If sanctifying a kohen is a proper use of the oil, why should it not be used throughout the generations? The simple answer is that once the sons of Aharon received the status of kedusha with the help of the oil, that status was then automatically transferred from fathers to sons, just as kedushat Yisrael, which required a special process (at Sinai) to begin, is transferred through mothers. Pinchas, who was too young to be anointed and was born before his father’s anointing, indeed needed special help to become a kohen (see Zevachim 101a).
The kohen gadol needed special sanctification in later generations despite the fact that he was born a descendant of Aharon (Rambam ibid. 4:12). If shemen hamishcha existed at the time, it was used; if not, wearing the special bigdei kohen gadol sufficed (ibid.). Again, the explanation is simple. Every kohen is slated at birth to be a kohen, but not every kohen, even if he is the son of the previous kohen gadol, is slated to be the kohen gadol. To turn this possibility into a reality, a special sanctification process is needed.
What about a king? The Rambam (Melachim 1:7) says that the first in a dynasty is anointed with shemen hamischa, as David was by Shmuel, but this sanctification is transferable to all his offspring. Thus, as a rule, kings of the House of David were not anointed with shemen hamishcha. However, the Rambam says there were exceptions, in which subsequent kings from among David’s descendants were anointed. The Rambam cites three kings who were anointed because their ascension to the kingdom was questioned. Shlomo was challenged by Adoniyahu. Yehoash had to replace the bloody rule of Atalya, and Yehoyakim had to be elevated before his brother Yehoyakim. The Rambam says the shemen hamishcha was used in those cases "in order to remove machloket (conflict)." This implies that even though the king did not halachically require the anointing, it was justified to bring peace.
We already saw in Parashat Ki Tisa that the use of shemen hamishcha for a non-kohen is a tremendous chiddush. What we learn here is that not only is it justified when needed to appoint a king, which is after all a very special mitzva that affects the nation, but also to ensure a conflict-free reign. Indeed, peace is not only a crucial blessing in everyone’s home but a crucial element, on a national level, of the proper functioning of the Kingdom of Israel.
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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.
