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A famous midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Bereishit 41) connects David Hamelech to Adam. Hashem showed Adam the spiritual greats of each generation. When it came to David’s generation, he saw in David a great soul who had three hours allotted to his life. Adam, who was troubled with the world missing out on David, "donated" 70 years of his life so that David could live long enough to contribute significantly.
The Kedushat Levi (on our parasha) connects David’s life to the forefathers in the following manner. Avraham was "supposed to" live 180 years, as Yitzchak did. The five years that he did not live (he died at 175) were donated to David. While Yitzchak lived his full allotment, Yaakov lived only 147, and not the 175 that he should have lived, like his grandfather Avraham. Thus, he gave 28 years. Yosef was allotted 147 years like his father, but lived only 110, and thus he gave 37 years. 5 + 28 + 37 equals the 70 years that David lived.
We will now look at another connection between David and the forefathers. David asked Hashem why in davening we refer to Hashem as the G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov and not "the G-d of David." Hashem answered that the forefathers were tested and David was not tested, to which David responded that he wanted to be tested to deserve the distinction (Sanhedrin 107a). David realized he was in a bind. If he would pass the test, he would have ka’v’yachol beaten Hashem. If he would fail the test, he could end losing much more than he reckoned for. At the end, the test had to do with the episode with Bat Sheva, and it ended in failure. While he could have lost his special status, he maintained most of it by employing teshuva in a complete manner.
At first glance, David did not merit getting what he wanted – mention in Shemoneh Esrei of the "G-d of David." However, further investigation reveals that Shemoneh Esrei is introduced with the pasuk, "Hashem, open my mouth so that my mouth will speak Your praises" (Tehillim 51:17), which David himself wrote. In fact, he composed the pasuk as part of the mizmor that deals with his repentance from the sin involving Bat Sheva (ibid.:2). David is also the only other person from Tanach whose name is mentioned in Shemoneh Esrei ("prepare the throne of David in the midst of Jerusalem" and "the blossoming of your servant David …"
We see, then, that on many levels there are connections between the characters in the parasha (primarily, Yaakov) and those from the haftara (David). May we merit having leaders in our generation who can be considered students of the forefathers and David.
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.
