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Let us compare Moshe to another great man, one with tremendous potential, who received an unusually bold compliment from the prophet: "The counsel of Achitofel which he gave in those days was like one who would ask for the word of Hashem" (Shmuel II, 16:23). Despite this distinction, Achitofel finished his life in a tragic manner (see ibid. 17:23), and he did not have a significant impact on Bnei Yisrael. Let us try to understand why this is so.
Achitofel gave Avshalom two pieces of advice: 1. To have relations with his father’s concubines, to finalize the break from David (ibid. 16:21). The Radak explains that this good idea (practically, obviously not morally) gave confidence to Avshalom’s supporters that he would not return to David at their expense. 2. To choose an elite force under Achitofel to immediately pursue and kill David (ibid. 17:1-3). The Radak says that this too was good advice, which would have worked had there not been intervention. If so, the question is why did Achitofel commit suicide after the advice was not accepted, if he had served Avshalom well?
Let us suggest the following. The gemara (Sanhedrin 101b) relates that Achitofel saw in his future that kings would come from him and assumed that this would come by means of his becoming king first. Achitofel figured that Avshalom would weaken David, and he would ultimately take over. Achitofel figured that Avshalom would cause the damage to David but would not succeed in taking over the crown because he would lose the respect of the people because of his relations with David’s concubines. Immorality would do him in as it had to Amnon. Achitofel offered to attack David with the elite forces and that would have given him an inner track to the crown.
The root of Achitofel’s problem was his lack of humility as we see from the use of "I" many times in his speech. We now understand why he committed suicide. Once he saw he would not be king, he realized that his vision would not be fulfilled, and he would be exposed as a fraud.
What a huge difference in humility (or lack thereof, respectively) between Moshe and Achitofel. May we merit leaders like Moshe.
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.
