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Yonadav noticed that one of David’s younger sons, Avshalom, wanted to become king instead of Amnon, the oldest son, and Yonadav decided to help him. By helping undo the chance of David’s oldest son being king, Yonadav "paid back" David for skipping over his older brothers.
If we are right, we can further suggest that Yonadav even expected that due to the rape within David’s family, David’s reign might begin to develop "cracks." Such an act by an heir apparent, following the footsteps of the evil powerful men at the time between Adam and Noach (see Bereishit 6:2), would upset all senses of stability. This might even lead to such upheaval that Yonadav might fill the void, as a son of David’s brother, and seize the throne.
David received kingship, in part by fighting Goliat the Plishti, risking his life on behalf of Bnei Yisrael. Apparently, the sons of Shama were also fearless fighters on behalf of the nation. Indeed, we find Yonatan the son of Shama killing a giant Plishti (Divrei Hayamim I, 20:6-7).
There seem to be hints that the issue of rivalry between the families continued many generations later. The gemara (Ketubot 62b) tells that Rebbi (Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi) was a descendant of David, while his contemporary Rabbi Chiya was a descendant of Shama. In a different gemara (Horiyot 11b), we find Rebbe, the rabbinic leader of the community of Eretz Yisrael, asking Rabbi Chiya whether someone like him would be required to bring the type of korban reserved for a king. Rabbi Chiya suggested that this was not possible because there was a similar leader in Bavel, which meant that no one possessed sufficient dominion. Rebbi asked from the fact that at the time of the Kingdoms of Judea and Israel, both kings enjoyed the status of king regarding korbanot. Rabbi Chiya answered that those two kings were independent, as opposed to the nasi in Israel, who was subservient to the reish galuta, the Babylonian leader.
Rebbi and Rabbi Chiya lived well after the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, in which case the question about the korbanot was moot. This theoretical question, though, was a way of dealing with the age-old question about the status of the dynasty of David. They went about it the right way, discussing pleasantly the halachic implications of the matter. In that way they fixed the bad action of Yonadav, who tried to uproot the standing of the House of David.
Let us pray to merit raising a generation of Torah scholars, who possess the ability to give in, who speak calmly, and in that way are disciples of Aharon, who loved peace and pursued peace.
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)
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)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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.
