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Rashi says that Ma’acha was Nachor and Reuma’s son, but the Seforno claims that she was their daughter. We find the name Ma’acha (which, we will see, does not mean it was the same person), in the genealogy listing in Divrei Hayamim (I, 7:15-16). There Ma’acha is the wife of Machir, grandson of Yosef. This perhaps should not be surprising, since Machir himself was the son of Menashe, son of Yosef, from his "Aramite concubine" (ibid. 14). Thus, it would appear that Machir, who was considered like an Egyptian prince, married a princess from a leading family of Aram.
These types of connections are also hinted at in the genealogical lists in relation to King Shaul, from the Tribe of Binyamin. "In Givon lived the father of Givon, and his wife’s name was Ma’acha. His children were … and Kish … and Kish had Shaul" (ibid. 8:29-33). So Shaul’s grandfather also had a concubine of Aramite descent. The names the pasuk uses also indicate that people from the tribe of Binyamin lived in the Gilad along with the Tribe of Menashe (see ibid. 7:12).
Every time we find the name of a wife and/or noblewoman by the name of Ma’acha, the context is negative. For example, the mother of David’s notorious (for his rebellion against his father) son Avshalom was Ma’acha, and she was the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur. This was a small Aram-linked kingdom, which was in what is now the Golan Heights. King Aviya the son of King Rechavam came from Ma’acha, the daughter of Avshalom (see Melachim I, 15:2). Aviya was no tzaddik, as he killed 500,000 members of the Israelite kingdom in a fratricidal war (see Divrei Hayamim II, 13:17). The midrash (Vayikra Rabba, Behar 33) even stresses that he did it in a way that the faces of the slain were distorted. The mother of King Assa was also mentioned in a very negative light. She acted in service of the idol Asheira (Divrei Hayamim II, 15:16).
All of these examples strengthen the claim of Seforno that the Ma’acha mentioned in the end of our parasha was the daughter of Reuma, and that this became a popular name for Aramite women of standing. Specifically women of this name entered the Jewish people in an attempt to arrange political treaties, but we see time and again that such attempts to raise the diplomatic profile of the Jewish people had very dangerous consequences. We are thankful that our modern-day Jewish government is able to act to further Israeli diplomatic prominence without resorting to such spiritually dangerous practices as bringing Aramite princesses into our fold.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
