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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.
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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.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 2
The King of the Kazars, in his search for truth, starts by inviting the philosopher. This is a "crash-course" on Aristotelian philosophy and the reasons why the king is not convinced. Through this dialogue, R. Yehuda HaLevi already foreshadows some of his central ideas that will appear later.
Shavuot "Love of Torah = Love of Israel"- for Shavuot
People often identify Judaism as just a religion, but upon examination, we see, even halachically and explicitly in the siddur, that the Torah is dependent upon Am Yisrael, Jewish nationalism.
Ein Aya The Middle-Child & Anti-Tzni'ut Syndrome- Negative Attention
Although tzni'ut is for men just like women, Rav Kook deals here with the sources in Yishayahu and the Talmud which deals with the special problem of lack of tzni'ut in women's dress and actions, where it's not just a problem of midot and character traits, but also can include practical, social and national ramifications, as well, which caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and exile from Israel. The class continues the previous one (Ayn Aya Shabbat vi, 29), and is a must for all educators and parents of high-school aged and young adults.
P'ninat Mishpat P'NINAT MISHPAT: A Mess of Loans, Repayments and Grievances – part II
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
based on ruling 83033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts