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Beit Midrash
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- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
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How could Shaul, who was, for much of his life, a great man, come to destroy such a distinguished spiritual center as Nov? When Shmuel anointed David as king, Shaul became affected by a depression referred to as a "bad spirit" (Shmuel I, 16:14). David was invited to play music for Shaul, and the navi writes that "he loved him" (ibid. 21). Because other p’sukim indicate that Shaul, at this early stage, did not know who David was, we will assume that the pasuk means that it was David who loved Shaul.
Indeed, we see throughout the development of the relationship that David loved Shaul. After David failed to act on his opportunity to kill Shaul in self-defense at the cave, David called out to Shaul to highlight his decision and called him, sincerely, "My father" (ibid. 24:12). At that point, Shaul also responded in kind, calling David "My son" and crying (ibid. 17).
This view of Shaul as a father figure could have been therapeutic, as David was, to an extent, banished from his own parents’ home, as it says: "For my father and mother shall abandon me" (Tehillim 27:10). This was also a consolation for Shaul who understood that his biological son Yonatan would not merit to sit on his throne – at least his "adopted son" should be able to do so. However, the "bad spirit" that had overcome Shaul did not allow him to continue to look at it in this light. For that reason, the kindness of the kohanim of Nov to David appeared to him as betrayal in favor of a rebellious son. The tension created by Shaul’s conflicting emotions of love and hatred towards David tore Shaul apart. Betrayal from within the family is especially painful.
When Shaul gave away his daughter Michal, who had married David, to Palti ben Layish, it convinced David that he was no longer seen as a son or a son-in-law, but as a rebel to be killed. In the next encounter in which David infiltrates and spares Shaul, Shaul still refers to David as "my son," but David no longer calls Shaul "my father" but rather "my master" (Shmuel I, 26: 17, 25).
The difference in the reaction to admittedly understandable mixed emotions shows another difference between Shaul and David. David’s biological son Avshalom rebelled and tried to kill David, yet David’s intention was to spare Avshalom’s life. David also did not kill those who supported Avshalom against him, and he even appointed Avshalom’s general, Amasa ben Yeter, as chief of staff of Israel in an attempt for unity. Shaul, in contrast, while seeing David as a son, could not hold himself back from trying to harm him, and even those around him. The kohanim of Nov could "tell us," as Chazal learned from the opening of our parasha.
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.
