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The co-hero of Megillat Esther, Mordechai, is introduced in a perplexing way (Esther 2:5). He is called an "ish Yehudi" in Shushan and, after listing his genealogy, is called an "ish Yemini." The gemara (Yevamot 12b) notes that the beginning of the pasuk sounds like he is from the Tribe of Yehuda, and the end sounds like he is from the Tribe of Binyamin. The gemara answers that Mordechai’s father was from Binyamin and his mother from Yehuda.
This fits beautifully with the thesis we have been promoting – to bring salvation, one needs a mix between the families of Rachel and Leah. Mordechai achieved his mixture through his mother and father. To this we add the unity call of his cousin, Esther, who said: "Go gather all the Jews" (Esther 4:16).
Let us return to the period of David. In addition to the chance of partnership with Shaul, Yonatan, and Michal, David had the possibility of partnership with Shaul’s cousin, Avner ben Ner. Even in Shaul’s lifetime, Avner and Ner thought that Avner was the one who was fit to be king. After Shaul died in battle, Avner coronated Shaul’s weak son, Ish Boshet (Shmuel II, 2:8-9), as king of 10 tribes. While titularly, Ish Boshet was king, in practice, he was a puppet of the actual leader, Avner. Avner eventually took a step toward becoming full king, and to show this, he took Shaul’s concubine, Ritzpa bat Aya. Ish Boshet, sensing what was transpiring, protested Avner’s action (ibid. 3:7). The slighted Avner decided that he preferred being David’s junior partner than to lead through Ish Boshet. The powerful Avner informed Ish Boshet and took immediate steps to reach out to David, then the King of Yehuda.
Under Avner’s plan, there would be a reuniting of all of the tribes, under David’s leadership (from Leah), with Avner (from Rachel) as his number 2. David accepted, but he made it conditional on the return of his wife Michal (ibid. 3:13). David phrased it, that Avner could "see my face" only if Michal returned and implied that Avner must be the one to bring her.
The term "seeing the kings face" returns us to Megillat Esther. Achashveirosh’s cabinet were called the seven ministers "who see the king’s face" (Esther 1:14). Indeed, for a monarch of that magnitude, not just anyone had the right to see the king’s face (comparing the incomparable – "… for a man will not see Me and live" (Shemot 33:20)).
When David demanded of Avner to bring Michal, David was hinting that David could unite the descendants of Rachel and Leach through his marriage with Michal. Thus, he did not need Avner’s partnership to do this. Still, David offered Avner a role in his cabinet in return for Avner’s support. Avner, who had already burned his bridges regarding Shaul’s family, was ready for a deal, but not one involving Michal. David arranged to get her back on his own, through Ish Boshet, now Avner’s rival. Unfortunately, the building of intertribal partnerships did not reach fruition, not through Avner and not through Michal.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
