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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.)
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)
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)
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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)
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
