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Who were these fearsome Plishtim? They were a tribe that came from the Greek Islands to the southern coastal area of Eretz Yisrael at the time that Bnei Yisrael was an up-and-coming but enslaved nation in Egypt. The secret to their strength was technological, especially in developing the ability to make iron tools of war (see Shmuel I, 13:19, regarding their "monopoly" in this realm). The wars against them were for dominion over Eretz Yisrael and the international routes that passed through it. See harsh prophecies against the people of Azza (the city of Gaza, which was one of the major Phlishti centers, along with Gat, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron) by Amos (1:6-8).
Despite the problematic nature of this hated enemy, we find that David was able to make headway with them … off the battlefield. His special personality was responsible for some of them repenting and joining Bnei Yisrael. The prospect of taking pagans and turning them into G-d fearers is something that we pray for on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur ("… all who has a soul … shall say: ‘Hashem, the G-d of Israel, rules, and His Kingdom is all-encompassing’").
Let us look at what happened in Gat, the city of King Achish. David first arrived there as he was fleeing from King Shaul. The people of the city referred to him as "the king of the land" (Shmuel I, 21:12). One of the great warriors of the city, who was eventually appointed as one of David’s three leading commanders (Shmuel II, 18:2), was Itai of Gat. Maybe one could claim that Itai was a Jew who happened to live in Gat, but he would be mistaken. The gemara (Avoda Zara 44a) says that David was able to use the crown of the conquered king, despite the fact that it had been used for idol worship, because Itai had removed it from idol use (which can be done only by an idol worshipper). We must conclude that Itai’s relationship with David caused him to stop his idolatrous ways. Itai led a group of 600 Gatites who were very loyal to David and joined him with their families (Shmuel II, 15:18-22).
Achish (the king) also was impressed by David and called him "an upright person" and "like an angel" (Shmuel I, 29:6-9). Such compliments only come from one who was deeply convinced of David’s fine character. Furthermore, Achish went as far as to swear in the name of Hashem (ibid. 6). So, we see that the manner in which David sanctified Hashem’s name brought pagans to join, either partially or fully, the fold of believers.
Most of the Plishtim deserved the harsh criticism of Amos and others, but some repented and even converted when approached in the manner in which David knew how to do. (We would just point out that today’s Palestinian’s have nothing to do with the Plishtim of old. Most of them, in fact, are relatively recent arrivals who immigrated to the Land when the Jewish pioneers’ development of the land caused a need for workers.)
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
