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Beit Midrash
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Up to the days of Shaul (from the Tribe of Binyamin, which was considered an extension of the Tribes of Yosef), the idea that leadership would come from the descendants of Leah finds little expression. (We discuss why in the upcoming Tzofnat Shmuel). When David became king, the window opened to the possibility of remedying the situation. The first ones to realize this opportunity were the children of Shaul.
The first one who tried to unify the leadership between the tribes was Yonatan, son of Shaul and thus a descendant of Rachel. Right after David killed Goliat, Yonatan made a pact with him and took off his cloak and weapons and gave them to David (Shmuel I 18:3-4). Yonatan explained elsewhere the content of the pact – David would be king, and Yonatan would be his viceroy. If this had come to fruition, Bnei Yisrael would have had the perfect situation – a king from the sons of Leah and his number two from the sons of Rachel, along the lines of the blessing of the people of Beit Lechem. Unfortunately, Yonatan’s death in battle on Mt. Gilboa prevented this.
The second attempt was by Shaul’s daughter Michal, who strove to marry David and thereby make him her father’s son-in-law (see ibid. 18:20). Had this worked, unity would have been reached on two planes. Right away, David would have had the standing of the son-in-law of the king. Yonatan, the heir apparent, would have cooperated, and they could have ruled together. In the second generation, David’s children from Michal would have been a combination of Mashiach, the son of Yosef and Mashiach, the son of David. Unfortunately, severe problems disrupted this. Shaul decided to use the proposed match as a way of getting David killed (ibid. 21-25). Shaul demanded that David earn this match by embarking alone on a virtual suicide mission against the Plishtim. Even when David succeeded against all odds, Shaul still continued to look for ways to have him killed (ibid. 29). When this did not succeed, Shaul gave Michal to Palti ben Layish as a wife. Only after Shaul died, did Michal return to David, but the union did not result in offspring.
Next week we will continue to look into unity between Rachel and Leah in the time of David.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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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.