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The Torah prohibits cutting off tzara’at lesions from the skin. An exception is if the tzara’at is on the skin that must be removed as part of a brit mila (Shabbat 132b), as the great mitzva of mila pushes off the prohibition.
The gemara (Sanhedrin 101b) relates that there were three (groups of) people who thought they received a reliable prophecy but were mistaken. One was Nevat, the father of Yeravam. A second (a group) were the astrologers of Pharaoh. The third was Achitofel. Achitofel was mistaken in regard to the tzara’at that he saw on his male organ. He thought that this was a sign that he would be king, while in truth it was a sign that he would have a descendent who would be king (Shlomo’s mother, Batsheva, was Achitofel’s granddaughter).
The Yad Rama (ad loc.) develops Achitofel’s thought process and actions. Achitofel decided to support Avshalom’s rebellion because he figured that he did not have a chance to dethrone David, who was brave, wise, and popular with the people. He reasoned that he could be a simple advisor to Avshalom in his removal of David, and later he could dethrone Avshalom, who lacked his father’s positive attributes.
Achitofel was himself an unprecedented Torah authority. "The counsel of Achitofel in those days was like asking for the word of Hashem" (Shmuel II, 16:23). So it is not shocking that he saw great things for himself, and he even believed that the tzara’at at the place of the mila was a sign that he would have unusual fertility, which he connected to great leadership. He did not realize that the hint was the opposite, that tzara’at should remind one to make himself humble, just as the mila instructs a person to curb his desires.
Returning to his mistake, Achitofel thought that he had a better chance at rebelling against Avshalom if he succeeded at overthrowing David. It is easier to be a legitimate alternative to someone who had slept with his father’s concubines than to rebel against a brave tzaddik. Achitofel had a good plan for Avshalom: attack David while he was down and before he had a chance to regroup and renew support for himself. It took divine intervention to overcome the plan, as the navi writes explicitly (Shmuel II, 17:14). When Achitofel saw that his plan was ruined from Above, he gave up all hope and went home and committed suicide (ibid. 23).
We learn once more that the road to kingship runs through humility. It was David, who referred to himself as "a worm and not a man" (Tehillim 22:7). Achitofel was not fit to be king, as he was one who would do whatever he could, including acting immorally, in order to attain the coveted title.
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
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)
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: 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)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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)
