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This week’s look at the possibility of unity relates to Shimi ben Gera, another relative of Shaul ben Kish, from the descendants of Rachel.
A pasuk tells that as David was fleeing from his rebelling son Avshalom, Shimi ben Gera came out toward him (Shmuel II, 16:5). Yet, the latter’s descendant Mordechai is referred to as "ben Yair ben Shimi ben Kish" (Esther 2:5). Who was Shimi’s father?
The simple explanation is that genealogical lists do not enumerate every generation. In Shmuel, emphasis is placed on Shimi as a descendant of Gera, Binyamin’s son (see Bereishit 46:21). Megillat Esther connects Mordechai to Kish, Shaul’s father (see Megilla 12b, 13a).
Chazal had good things to say about Shimi – e.g., his name means that Hashem "listened to his prayer" (ibid.). Also, Rashi (Shmuel II, 16:10) claims that Shimi was the head of the Sanhedrin. This is along the lines of Gittin (59a) that assumes that Shimi surpassed Shlomo in Torah scholarship. In fact, he was apparently Shlomo’s teacher (Berachot 8a). Chazal also speak very highly of Shimi’s wife, claiming that Mordechai and Esther emerged from Shimi because she was a righteous woman who saved two righteous people from execution (Midrash Shmuel, 32:4).
The navi also grants Shimi a unique title: "The first of all the House of Yosef" (Shmuel II, 19:21). This accords Shimi a great standing and defines his political status. It indicates that he was the leader of the tribes of Ephraim, Menashe, and Binyamin. This title also resembles that of he who would be the king of what could be called, "The Kingdom of Yosef" – Yerovam ben N’vat, from the Tribe of Ephrayim (see Melachim I, 11:28).
Had we merited that David and Shimi would have joined forces, Shimi had the potential to do what was hoped from Yonatan, Avner, and Michal – open a gateway to a wondrous unity that brings Liberation closer. Tragically, Shimi took the opportunity of the outbreak of Avshalom’s rebellion to grievously offend David, throwing stones at him, calling him "man of bloodshed," and celebrating the upper hand that Avshalom appeared to have over David (see Shmuel II, 16:5-8).
David did not forgive Shimi and instructed Shlomo to kill him (Melachim I, 2:9). The gemara says that this was a mistake, and it opened up Shlomo to the sin of marrying Paroh’s daughter, when his teacher was no longer around (Berachot 8a). The result was severe. "At the time that Shlomo married Paroh’s daughter, Gavriel descended and planted a reed in the sea, and a sandbank formed upon it, and upon it was built the great city of Rome" (Shabbat 56b).
Thus, the destructions of the First and Second Temples are seen as the result of the lack of unity between King David and Shimi ben Gera, the foremost leader of the House of Yosef. Once again, we have learned the lesson of the supreme importance of unity.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.