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We will try to explain what stands behind this loaded and harsh pronouncement. David was pursued by three very significant factors.
A. The Plishtim, who remembered David’s killing of their hero, Goliat, who made all around him quake. The Plishtim hated David greatly.
B. Shaul, King of Israel, who constantly pursued him and tried to have him killed many times and with many means, as it says: "Shaul sought him all of the days" (ibid. 23:14).
C. The descendants of Kalev ben Yefuneh, who lived in the southern part of the mountains of Chevron, who tried to get rid of him by aiding Shaul in catching him. This applied to the people of Zif, who sent word about David to Shaul (ibid. 19-20, and ibid. 26:1). Even the people of Ke’ila, whom David saved from the Plishtim, wanted to hand him over to Shaul. Hashem, through the urim and tumim, confirmed that indeed the people of Ke’ila were plotting to hand him over. Before seeing how David handled the situation, let us see what the claims of these apparent traitors were.
The pasuk about banishing David can be read in two ways: 1. The question is whether he would be allowed to marry a normal Jewish woman and thereby enable the Divine Presence to dwell upon him. 2. Whether he would be able to stay in Eretz Yisrael, where the Divine Presence dwells on a regular basis. David’s detractors argued that he was not fit to marry into the Jewish people because he came from Moavites (see Yevamot 76b). Because of the efforts of Shaul and the descendants of Kalev to seize David, David decided to leave Eretz Yisrael and ostensibly join the forces of the Plishtim under Achish the King of Gat. The latter received him because they viewed him as the enemy of their enemy, Shaul, and hoped in that way to split the Israelite nation.
What caused David to take the bold step? There are a few possibilities: 1. It was a way to avoid a civil war between his forces and Shaul’s. 2. It was a way to sabotage the Plishti enemies of his nation, even those compatriots who were cruel to him. 3. To help Shaul if his forces would start losing to the Plishti army. Either way, David raised a high bar for a leader acting to put the welfare of the nation before his own, as his joining up with the enemy army put him in grave danger. Only with Divine Help did he succeed in his mission.
Next week we will see why the claims of the descendants of Kalev were not accepted. In the meantime, we will continue to pray for leaders who will increase love between different parts of the nation and will put the welfare of the nation before their own and those of their political allies.
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part IV
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
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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)
