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Beit Midrash
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Let us explain what might have happened. After Nachash, the King of Amon died, David sent a delegation to console his son, Chanun. The delegation returned after having been harshly disgraced (Shmuel II, 10:1-5). David decided to punish the Amonites, and he sent an elite brigade led by Yoav and Avishai to Amon and its capital, Rabba (ibid. 7). The Amonites, who were concerned about David’s possible reaction, hired more than 30,000 Aramite soldiers to protect them (ibid. 6). In that narrative (ibid. 8), it appears that the battle took place outside of Rabba. However, in Divrei Hayamim (I, 19:6-9) it is clear that it was outside of Meidva, and it says that Amonite fighters emerged from that city.
As the battle took shape, it says that Yoav and Avishai found themselves trapped in an ambush between the forces of Amon and the mercenaries from Aram. Yoav, in his famous charge and words of encouragement to his brother Avishai (ibid. 10-13), broke the forces into two but kept them responsive to the needs of the other unit. How is it that a general as experienced as Yoav allowed himself to be ambushed?
Let us advance the following theory. Yoav decided to surprise the Amonites and to approach Rabba after taking a detour to the south. They left Yerushalayim on the Path of the Patriarchs, going south to Chevron (perhaps praying in Me’arat Hamachpela) and then turning east and crossing the border at the Dead Sea at a point where there is either a dry patch or very low water. They then passed through the Land of Moav, which was to the south of the Land of Amon. The Amonites uncovered the plan and put the Aramite forces to the south of the Moavite city of Meidva and their own army within the city of their Moavite neighbors. This cooperation between the three nations created a dangerous situation for Yoav. Only with Divine Assistance, great dedication, and deep belief did the trapped forces of David (the original IDF, if you will) escape.
If this is what happened at Meidva, we understand why David treated the Moavites so harshly after he triumphed over them (see Shmuel II, 8:2).
Let us pray for the success and safety of our current IDF, who protect our Land and our people.
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.
