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In Tanach, nasi classically refers to the king, who is the person who is elevated above everyone, except Hashem. The very possibility to demand of a king to acknowledge his sin is a great novelty. All the more so, we would never expect that there would be someone with permission to rebuke the king or to demand of him to admit that he sinned.
Until around 200 years ago, anywhere in the world where a man of conscience would have the nerve to stand up with rebuke before whoever was the sovereign leader, he would immediately disappear from the face of the earth. (That is if he were lucky. He could live out his life under conditions of torture so that others could "hear and fear.") Even in our days, there are places in the world where any criticism, even the most mild, about the king, will bring its speaker a very serious reaction, like in the past.
In contrast, according to Tanach and the words of Chazal and early commentators, one of a prophet’s responsibilities was to rebuke the king and demand of him to reset his course if he strayed from the path. True, doing so did not always bring a prophet a bed of roses, as the thorns often took the place of the roses. In the Kingdom of Israel (10 Tribes), prophets were persecuted for their criticisms of the king, such as Eliyahu in the days of Achav and Amos in the days of Yeravam II.
Even in the somewhat better Kingdom of Judea, prophets paid a steep price for their rebuke, sometimes even when the king was righteous. Let us recall the fate of Chanani, who rebuked the righteous Asa for relying on Aram. Asa put him in jail as a result, and some of his followers were killed (see Divrei Hayamim II, 16:7-10; see also Yirmiyahu 20:2; ibid. 29:26). So too, the prophet Zecharia, son of the saintly kohen gadol Yehoyada, who saved and raised King Yoash, was killed in the Beit Hamikdash, by order of that same Yoash, an overall good king (Divrei Hayamim II, 24:20-22). Even in the case where the prophet was a close relative of the king, immunity was not ensured. Amatzya threatened the life of Amotz (ibid. 25:15-16), even though Chazal tell us that the two were brothers.
We need to look within this context at the actions of David Hamelech. He received strong rebuke at the hand of the prophet Natan and fully accepted it. This was a unique quality of David, the teacher of repentance and of proper humility as a king.
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
