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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!
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.