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Yeravam ben Nevat, the first king of the Northern (Israelite) Kingdom of the Ten Tribes and a notorious sinner, who caused others to sin, championed the cause of the Beit El devotees. He built a major altar and also erected a statue of a calf, all too reminiscent of the Sin of the Golden Calf at Sinai. Yeravam apparently felt that the calf was a good mitzva, as is hinted at by the fact that he named his sons Nadav and Aviya, reminiscent of the first sons of the builder of the first calf (albeit, reluctantly), Aharon.
The first one who tried to stop Yeravam’s sin was the prophet from Yehuda (Melachim I, 13:1). Chazal identify him as Ido, one of the important prophets of the time. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in having Yeravam do teshuva because of the old false prophet from Beit El, part of the city’s religious apparatus.
More than 150 years later, we find out indirectly that the prophet Amos also was involved in a struggle against the distorters of Hashem’s word in Beit El. Amos was a prophet who came from the Judean town of Tekoa. His main activity was with the Northern Kingdom, whose capital was Shomron, and the king in his time was Yeravam ben Yoash, or Yeravam II. Amos prophesied about the execution of members of the House of Yeravam and the destruction of the temples of the Israelites (Amos 7:9). These temples were situated in Beit El, and their priest, Amatzia, felt threatened and turned to Yeravam with the claim that Amos was rebelling against him (ibid. 7:10-11). We should point out that Yeravam refused to accept the lashon hara against Amos.
Amatzia urged Amos to return to Judea, join the religious apparatus there, and receive a salary from them (ibid. 12). Amos responded: "I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I am a cattle breeder and a tender of sycamore figs." In other words, Amos rejected the idea that he become a salaried member of the religious establishment (see Avot 4:5, which speaks against using Torah as a "spade with which to dig"). A true prophet does not take money for his prophetic activity, and he does not allow anyone to impact the way he thinks or expresses himself based on financial considerations. His prophecy is given by Hashem, and the prophet answers only to Him. Amos was a laborer with his hands and maintained his independence.
This type of language reminds us of what Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Nissim did when he thought that the State of Israel gave too much leeway to the pope, who visited Israel during his time. Rav Nissim refused to take part in a ceremony that he considered disgraceful. When someone threatened to fire him, Rav Nissim said that he was not dependent on his salary and refused to be programmed by others.
Let us pray that we will succeed in avoiding having the Torah become a "spade with which to dig" and follow instead the lead of Amos and Rav Yitzchak Nissim.
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)
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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)
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
