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Beit Midrash
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The navi tells that Yeruvam ben Yoash was victorious and extended the borders of the Kingdom of Israel to their maximum, reaching until L’vo Chamat (Melachim II, 14:25). The midrash says that when one shows respect to prophets, he receives more land than Yehoshua and David did (Eliyahu Zuta 7). These victories brought on great riches for the kingdom and its capital, Shomron. One of the materials that is the greatest signs of riches is ivory (see Melachim I, 10:21; ibid. 22:39). In his words of rebuke to the people of that time, Amos refers to houses and beds of ivory that existed (Amos 3:15; Amos 6:4). However, these riches caused terrible corruption, which was the target of most of Amos’ prophecies. In warning of the impending doom that would befall the people if they continued these ways, he spoke of affliction that would come from L’vo Chamat to the stream of the Arava (ibid. 6:12-14).
Amos speaks of three issues. 1) One who abuses justice and harms the vulnerable is like one who has his horse run through fields before the rocks have been removed. 2) The conquests of the dynasty of Yehu (of which Yoash was a member) will be returned. 3) The Asyrians will oppress the nation militarily until their control will be lost.
There are apparently two main ways for us to lose control over Eretz Yisrael. One, which is found in our parasha, is the despising of eretz hemdah (the coveted land). The other is by displaying corrupt behavior instead of maintaining a moral existence.
This week we will commemorate the 13th yahrtzeit of our teacher, Harav Shaul Yisraeli z.t.l. He taught, among other things, the love of the Land and the importance of an effective, upstanding judicial system and society. May we follow in his footsteps in those areas and in others.
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Various Events FOR WHOM NOT TO VOTE
Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook stressed that Israeli politics is G-dly, so I have no problem answering this common question on a Torani blog. Also, Free-Will is a G-d-given right and obligation, to "destine one's fate" (R. Soloveichik, Kol Dodi Dofek, 67), so I obviously don't tell others how to vote. But once not a few (especially young) have already asked, a couple of personal words from experience and thoughts from chazal & Rav Kook which may be of help to others, mainly for whom NOT to vote.
P'ninat Mishpat Fallout from Failure to Install Elevator – part II
based on ruling 85007 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
