YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
Going back to the aftermath of the death of Shaul and Yonatan on Mt. Gilboa, Avner, Shaul’s cousin, and Ish Boshet, Shaul’s weak son, were both killed. What was left of the family was Yonatan’s son M’fiboshet. M’fiboshet could have represented the children of Rachel in a supportive role for David, the descendant of Leah.
Let us remember who M’fiboshet was. When word came back that Shaul and Yonatan had fallen in battle, M’fiboshet’s nanny fled in panic with him, and in the process M’fiboshet fell and was crippled (Shmuel II, 4:4). M’fiboshet was hidden east of the Jordan to protect him from the Plishtim and perhaps, unnecessarily, from David. Actually, when David removed the threat of the Plishtim and entered Yerushalayim, he tried to ascertain what happened to the remnants of Yonatan’s family, and he looked to return the favor of Yonatan’s kindness (ibid. 9:1).
With this in mind, David met with Tziva, the custodian of Shaul’s estate. David asked him who from the family was left to whom David could be kind (ibid. 3). However, Tziva wanted to maintain control of the estate and therefore used two pieces of negative characterization to keep M’fiboshet from getting close to David. He stressed that M’fiboshet was crippled, implying that he was incapable of being a partner in David’s leadership, as the cornerstone of a leader is to be able to lead men into battle. (We note that even in 20th century America, President Roosevelt went to great lengths to hide his physical disability.)
The second thing is that Tziva said that M’fiboshet was in "Lo Davar." The gemara (Shabbat 56a) says that Tziva was playing a word game to convince David that there was nothing redeeming about M’fiboshet. Tziva continued with various lies about M’fiboshet’s alleged disloyalty, until finally David concluded that M’fiboshet and Tziva would split the estate (ibid. 19:30). Hashem saw this acceptance of lashon hara about M’fiboshet as a betrayal on the part of David. The gemara tells that at the moment that David decreed that Shaul’s estate would be divided, a heavenly voice announced that Rachavam (David’s grandson) and Yeravam would split the Kingdom of Israel. This lashon hara, thus concluded the gemara, caused a diminished kingdom and eventually our exile from the Land.
Indeed, the result of disunity is exile and destruction. We should remember that!
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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)
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
