YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Ki Tetze
There are many elements to waging war. In the battlefield, people use weapons to kill or incapacitate. Today, technology is employed against the enemy, whether operated in the battlefield from afar or by infiltrating their important systems. Psychological warfare is a modern and ancient tool. Last week, we read the Torah’s instructions to soldiers not to be afraid of an intimidating army (Devarim 20:1-3).
A midrash (cited by Da’at Zekeinim MiBaaelei HaTosafot) highlights how the Torah regards the psychological element of battle. It compares the plagues that Hashem employed against the Egyptians to that of a king who was betrayed by a country. First, the king may attack their water supply (parallel to the plague of blood), then his forces make great noises with trumpets and shofars to scare the people (parallel to the frogs).
Let us now connect this to the book. In ancient times, few simple citizens knew how to read and write. Until the printing press, there were not many reading materials, but a small amount of parchments and even things written on earthenware materials. In Jewish tradition, though, great efforts were put into ensuring that even young children began to learn to read. The gemara (Bava Batra 21a) tells of how Yehoshua ben Gamla built an educational system to ensure that even underprivileged children could study Torah. (A fascinating archeological find near Rosh Ha’ayin uncovered writing in Ancient Hebrew letters that was apparently written by a young child.)
The connection between the sword and the book seems to have been employed some 2,700 years ago. After the Aramite Sargon conquered the region of Samaria from the Northern Kingdom of Israel, his son, Sancheriv, tried to conquer Jerusalem as well. As part of the effort, he enlisted the help of a Jewish apostate named Ravshakeh, who was fluent in Hebrew in addition to the international language of Aramaic. Ravshakeh approached the walls of the besieged Jerusalem to call out to the city’s general populace in their language to convince them to surrender (see Melachim II, 18:17-37). King Chizkiyahu’s officers tried to convince Ravshakeh to speak in Aramaic, but as part of his psychological warfare, he refused. The navi tells that Ravshakeh applied even more pressure by "writing books that blasphemed Hashem" and said that He would not be able to save Chizkiyahu (Divrei Hayamim II, 32:17).
We do not know definitively what was in these letters or how they were delivered. Perhaps, as part of his attempt to strike fear in the individual citizen of Jerusalem, his short words of blasphemy were written on small parchments that were attached to arrows and shot into the city. Because the entire populace was literate, it was possible to shake the confidence of more people. So went the plan to use the Jewish People’s strength against them.
With Divine Mercy, the ploy did not work, unity prevailed, and Chizkiyahu survived through a miracle. May all of our present-day enemies also be thwarted.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
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
