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Natan’s approach to advancing Shlomo’s candidacy is perplexing. If he had prophecy that Shlomo was to be the next king, why didn’t he announce it before David and the nation? After all, Natan’s status as the court prophet was not in question. He had the confidence even to stop David’s plans to build the Beit Hamikdash, a project that David looked forward to throughout his life. He confronted the king forcefully in regard to the episode with Bat Sheva and Uriyah. Why here did he resort to a plan that avoided taking on the issue of succession directly?
Apparently, the prophet was not authorized to intervene in the matter of choosing a king against the people’s will. At first glance, the pasuk, "You shall place upon yourselves a king that Hashem will choose" (Devarim 17:15) seems to contradict this thesis. Yet the Ramban derives from the end of the pasuk, which commands the people not to choose a foreigner, that the people decide. The pasuk invokes Hashem’s Name because, in the final analysis, Hashem arranges for all leaders to assume their positions (Bava Batra 91b). However, as far as practical procedure, the people pick the king. The people choose, and it turns out that it was Hashem’s mandate.
Therefore, Natan had to devise a strategy whereby the people would throw their weight behind Shlomo. He knew that a royal ceremony could win over the masses. A ceremony was arranged at the Gichon stream, including anointing of oil and blowing of the shofar. The idea was for it to be a call to the populace to express acquiescence to David’s choice. Indeed it was successful, as the pasuk states: "All of the people said: ‘Life to the king, Shlomo.’ All of the nation came up afterward and the nation was playing flutes and were very happy, and the Land split to their sound" (ibid. 39-40). It is particularly the noise that troubled Yoav, Odinayah’s most prominent supporter. The harbinger, Yonatan ben Evyatar also connected the excitement with the result: "The city was teeming with the noise you heard, and also Shlomo sat on the throne" (ibid. 45-46).
May we merit leaders who are a proper choice of the nation and Hashem.
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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.