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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
In order to understand the connection, we will have to compare these events to a not-less-important one – akeidat Yitzchak. If we compare the relevant texts, Bereishit 22, dealing with akeidat Yitzchak, and Shmuel II, 24 and Divrei Hayamim I, 21, dealing with the purchase from Aravna, we will find many similarities.
In both cases, Hashem sent the "main characters," Avraham and David, respectively, to build an altar to sacrifice something at a specific place. In Bereishit, it says: "They came to the place that Hashem said, and Avraham built there an altar" (22:9). In Shmuel II, it says: "David built there an altar to Hashem" (24:25). In Bereishit, it says: "He took the ram and brought it as a burnt offering" (22:13). In Shmuel II, it says "He brought burnt offerings" (24:25).
Avraham attributed permanent significance to the place: "Avraham called that place ‘Hashem will see,’ so that it will be said today, ‘On the mountain of Hashem it will be seen’" (Bereishit 22:14). David did a similar thing: "David said: ‘This is the house of Hashem, and this is the altar for burnt offerings for Israel’" (Divrei Hayamim I, 22:1). In Shmuel II, the root of seeing is stressed several times (Shmuel II, 24:13, 17, 22).
The Torah reports that Avraham woke up early (Bereishit 22:3), and the navi stresses that David woke up in the morning (Shmuel II, 24:11). Each story talks about a third day and the wood used for the offering. In each context also, an angel plays a central role in the story (see Bereishit 22:11; Shmuel II, 24:16). The city of Be’er Sheva is also mentioned in each parallel chapter.
The most explicit connection between the two places is found when Shlomo Hamelech eventually built the Beit Hamikdash on Aravna’s mountain. It says that he did this, "in Yerushalayim, on the mountain of Moriah(mentioned in Bereishit), which was shown to his father, David, which he prepared in David’s place in the silo of Arnan the Yevusi" (Divrei Hayamim II, 3:1).
The Rambam (Beit Habechira 5:1-2) also strongly stresses the connection between these places: "The altar’s place is very exactly located, and it can never be moved from its place, as it says, ‘This is the altar for burnt offerings for Israel.’ And in this place Yitzchak was bound, as it says, ‘… and go to the Land of Moriah.’ And it says in Divrei Hayamim: ‘In Yerushalayim on the mountain of Moriah which was shown to his father, David, which he prepared in David’s place in the silo of Arnan the Yevusi.’ There is a tradition that everyone has that the place in which David and Shlomo built the altar in the silo of Aravna was the place at which Avraham built the altar and bound Yitzchak on it."
Next week we will go more deeply into the matter and will try to uncover the roots that are hidden in this holy place. With Hashem’s help, we will soon merit to see it rebuilt.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
