Rabbi Alex Israel
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Shlomo's government, free of military conflict, can turn itself towards a different set of priorities; it is primarily engaged in the Temple and affairs...
Rabbi Alex Israel
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Shlomo's public spectacle in Givon is essentially his announcement of his initiative to transfer the altar to Jerusalem and eventually build the Mikdash...
Rabbi Alex Israel
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Yoav's murders of Avner and Amassa exhibit the simple act of dishonor to the king, and also jeopardize the prospect of national peace and unity. Yoav's...
Rabbi Alex Israel
Source:
The first half of chapter 2 articulates David's final will and testament to Shlomo, and the second describes how Shlomo acts to secure his position as...
Rabbi Alex Israel
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Two approaches exist to the story of the contention over David's throne. One approach describes a political struggle with rivalries and palace intrigue,...
Rabbi Michael Hattin
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Shimshon's nazirite status is unique and peculiar. The nazir is by definition a person who is profoundly driven towards an encounter with the Divine....
Rabbi Michael Hattin
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Once again, in the Book's final gasp, the sorry cycle of Israelite treachery and Divine counter-wrath is stated, but this time the oppressors have a new...
Rabbi Michael Hattin
Source:
Yiftah, like Gideon, faces harsh criticism from the tribe of Ephraim due to their lack of inclusion in the battle against Ammon. However, as opposed to...
Rabbi Michael Hattin
Source: ; ; ;
A close read of the text and a textual link to Akeidat Yitzhak points to the conclusion that the intention of Yiftah's vow was in fact human sacrifice. In...
Rabbi Michael Hattin
Source: ;
Long gone and forgotten were the Otniels of illustrious lineage and the Devoras of prophetic inspiration. Now the people only deserved to be guided by a...
