Altar in Beit El

Found 10 Search results

  1. The Altar, the Prophet, and the Lion

    Rabbi Alex Israel

    The Ish Haelokim's refusal to eat on his mission against Yerovam and the new form of worship in Beit El stems from God's command which proves the chastity of the prophet. He is not a paid prophet, but loyal to God, Nonetheless, when he disobeys God's word he dies at the hand of the lion. This is symbolic of the confusion surrounding Yerovam. On the one hand he is ordained by God in Ahiya's prophecy. On the other hand he is disobeying God in the new system of worship that he set up. He is given an opportunity to repent but rejects it. 

    Are the Golden Calves of Yerovam considered Idol Worship or an alternative but prohibited worship of God?

  2. Duplication and Contradiction

    Part 2 - Historical Claims of Documentary Hypothesis

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    The prevalent view in academic circles, has been that the major part of the Book of Devarim was written in the 7th century B.C.E., as part of the battle waged by Chizkiyahu and Yoshiyahu for centralized ritual worship. This assertion is based mainly on the argument that Devarim is the only Book of the Torah which speaks of the selection of a single location for Divine service, and rejects worship outside of this location. A series of questions and proofs are brought against this theory, leading to the conclusion that the central argument for the claim of late authorship of Devarim has multiple and serious flaws.

  3. Shadal on Yaakov's Night in Beit El

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  4. Beit-El

    Rabbi Ezra Bick

    Why does Yaakov journey to Beit El? Why does he receive the promise of the land there again? What is the connection between the two revelations at Beit El? A close examination of the narrative reveals that the purpose of the second revelation is to remind us of the earlier one, which has been continued now as though there were no interruption, and that is why Yaakov reconfirms the name of the place. The whole purpose of the story is to bring us, literally, to the point where we left off at the beginning of Parashat Toldot. We are back at "the place He spoke to him."

  5. What is the Difference Between a Mizbeach and a Matzeiva?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  6. Yaakov's Altars in Beit El and Shechem

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  7. The Journeys of Avraham and Yaakov and the Purpose of Conquering the Land

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 30 minutes

    In many ways, Yaakov's journey in Canaan is very similar to Avraham's journey. But Yaakov seems to stay in Shechem for too long. Why does Yaakov stay in Shechem? By comparing the stories of Yaakov's and Avraham's journeys, and noting echoes in the Book of Yehoshua, we gain insight into the purpose of inheriting the Land of Israel: it is not only to develop a national homeland, but to disseminate a national idea-- the Divine mission of the People of Israel.
     

  8. Where is “the Place which God shall Choose”?

    Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

    When reading Parashat Re’eh, Torah scholars and biblical researchers alike generally understand the phrase, “the place which God shall choose” as referring solely to Jerusalem (Mount Moriah). This understanding makes it  difficult to explain the sacrifices offered to God upon bamot, literally “high places,” the ad hoc altars described in several places in Tanakh. We examine Biblical texts, commentaries, midrash, and archeological findings at Khirbet Qeyafa to reach new understandings about the presence and dismantling of bamot.

  9. “And This is the Gateway of Heaven”

    Rabbi Shimon Klein

    In this shiur, we will attempt to understand the nature of the place where Yaakov rests in the course of fleeing from Esav – Beit El, the House of God – through a review of our narrative as well as other narratives in Sefer Bereishit and in different chapters from the Prophets.

  10. Luz

    Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky