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Beit Midrash
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- Pinchas
Let us ask the question in regard to Pinchas the son of Elazar, a junior leader in the period of Moshe and Yehoshua. Pinchas is mentioned by name at the time of the Judges (20:28). Eliyahu arises hundreds of years later, as a prophet at the time of King Achav. Was there a tradition that he was the same person or is there some scriptural hint to connect the two? According to the second approach, the hint might not necessarily indicate that they are literally the same person but that there are spiritual connections between two distinct people. (While it is surprising that Pinchas would live hundreds of years, there is no reason to dismiss it as a possibility.)
Let us take a look at the book of Ruth (by chance, the sefer where we learn of Ploni Almoni). When, within the period of the Judges, did this story happen? One opinion in the gemara (Bava Batra 91a) is that Boaz was the judge Ivtzan. This puts the chronology close to the end of the era of Judges. In contrast, Rabbi Yossi ben Chalafta in Seder Olam Rabba (12) puts the story and its characters in the time of Ehud (before his rebellion against Eglon), which is toward the beginning of the period of the Judges. As support, Seder Olam cites the pasuk "in everything in which they went out, Hashem’s hand was against them" (Shoftim 2:15).
What does Seder Olam learn from that pasuk? Naomi, speaking to her daughters-in-law, says how hard things were for her and that "the Hand of Hashem has been against me" (Ruth 1:13). Seder Olam sees this coincidence of terminology as a means of linking the two stories to each other. There is actually a linguistic hint to the gemara’s identification as well. Ruth’s story is based around the town of Beit Lechem, where Boaz lived and operated. Ivtzan is also identified as hailing from and being buried in Beit Lechem (Shoftim 12:8-10).
What we have not yet solved is whether in the case of Pinchas and Eliyahu, the connection is based on tradition or exegesis. In any case, we bless all that we will be careful in our observance of tradition and that we will also be proficient in Torah study, with a style of analysis which we have learned from our rabbinic predecessors.
Parashat Hashavua Parashat Hashavua: “With a Strong Hand He Will Expel Them from His Land
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, p. 205-6
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.
