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Beit Midrash
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Let us test this matter by looking at the choice of David as king from among his brothers, the sons of Yishai.
Shaul failed as king, and Hashem told Shmuel that since He was "disgusted" by Shaul, Shmuel was should go to anoint a new king for Israel. Hashem sent him to the house of Yishai, "for I have seen among his sons a king for Me" (Shmuel I, 16:1). The term "disgusted" indicates that Shaul had generally been fit for the job but that something arose that disqualified him.
When Shmuel arrived at Yishai’s house, the first candidate that was presented to him was the firstborn, Eliav. Shmuel was keenly impressed and declared: "Just, before Hashem, His anointed [is standing]" (ibid. 6). Rashi explains that this meant that Shmuel perceived him as fit to be king. Hashem responded to Shmuel harshly: "Do not look at his appearance and the highness of his stature, for he I am disgusted by him; it is not what man sees, for man sees [that which his] eyes show him, but Hashem sees into his heart" (ibid. 7). The term "disgusted by him" should again indicate that Eliav generally had the suitability but that something disqualified him.
What was wrong with Eliav? Also, how could a great prophet, known as "the seer" be guilty of such a misstep, as to judge things only externally? There are different approaches in Chazal and in the commentaries. Since they generally do not focus on the level of the reading of the text, we will take the liberty of suggesting another answer.
We will work with the assumption that Shmuel was indeed employing the skills of a prophet when he was impressed by Eliav. It was not what we would call external, physical attributes that excited Shmuel. Indeed, Eliav was a great man in terms of his spirituality and his internal personality, and therefore it was a reasonable conjecture that he would be anointed king. The problem was that there were things that even Shmuel did not succeed in seeing. The height that Shmuel referred to was actually spiritual stature, but still it was not the heart. It was "the height of Eliav’s heart," i.e., his arrogance, that made Hashem despise him, as he was too aware of his own multi-talents, including of the spiritual.
Hashem taught Shmuel (and us) that even the perfect candidate is not the perfect candidate if he is overly focused on his qualification. David was the "little one" who was left off the list of candidates (ibid. 11). It was he who called himself "a worm and not a man" (Tehillim 22:7). And it was he, not his older brothers, who was chosen.
Let us pray that we will merit suitable leaders, who will remember that they are suitable only as long as they do not believe they are the most suitable.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.