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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- D'varim
- Nitzavim
Who were these merei’im, and why were they also oppressors and enemies? And what does this have to do with this time of the year? First, what does bikrov mean? Ibn Ezra explained that this is the term used for approaching battle. Ibn Ezra cites a related explanation that these people succeeded in coming close to David in battle. Radak says that it refers to the idea that David was close to death.
Let us give another suggestion. Krov refers to people who were close to him, either from his family or from his friends, and that it is these people who tried to harm him. In Tanach, we find people who were very close to David who did harsh things to him. His parents sent him away from the house and into the field to lead the flock, at a young age, and did not view him as a full member of the family. This is referred to elsewhere in the mizmor: "When my father and my mother left me" (we will discuss this at length in the soon-to-be published Tzofnat Shmuel). David was somewhat adopted by an alternate father figure, his father-in-law, Shaul. And this new "father" tried to kill him multiple times. Also, the people of his tribe, from Keila and the Zipim betrayed him. His very close friend, Achitofel, turned into a pursuer (see Shmuel II 17:1-4). Even his wife Michal, who at one point loved him very much (see Shmuel I, 18:20 and ibid. 28) reached a point of unresolvable enmity.
Now let us go back to the word merei’im. In the fifteen times in Tanach the word is found, it always refers to a particularly acute evil, including those who befriended and betrayed Shimshon. The word also appears in the rebuke of Yeshayahu (Yeshayahu 1:4; 14:20) and in the harsh prophecies of Yirmiyahu (Yirmiyahu 23:14), along with other places. Chazal say explicitly: "Merei’im always refer to the evil" (Avot D’Rabbi Natan I:21).
The root of merei’im is reish ayin ayin, which is like the words rei’ah (friend) ra (evil). The worst form of evil is when an apparent friend betrays the friendship and is actually evil toward his would-be friend. The pasuk describes how these people come to eat the flesh of their friend and turn into oppressors and enemies.
In contrast, the similar word ro’eh (shepherd) is a true friend of his flock. He acts with sensitivity and gentleness with the young sheep. Moshe and David are both leaders who proved their qualities in dealing with the sheep, as midrashim point out about each of them (see Shemot Rabba 2:2).
Many people claim to be fit to be proper leaders for our country, but they should also have to pass a test of true loyalty. We wish our readers, that in addition to all the other ways they should have a wonderful year, we should also enjoy leadership that toils to bring peace from within and without. May we never have to face friends who turn into enemies.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
