Ammonites and Moabites

Found 8 Search results

  1. Why Was this Megilla Written?

    Introduction to Ruth

    Dr. Yael Ziegler

    What can we learn from the Book of Ruth? Is the purpose of Ruth to teach us about chessed? Or perhaps to clarify David's ancestry, and the fact that he descended from Moab? This lesson will show that Ruth discusses the generosity required to create the dynasty of the House of David, and inaugurate a monarchy free of corruption, which is worthy of leading the Nation of Israel.

  2. Ehud and Shamgar

    Rabbi Michael Hattin

    The geographical context of the kingdoms to the East of the Jordan River is presented as the background to the heroics of Ehud ben Gera.

    Shamgar ben Anat is described in one brief verse like Shimshon - a hero who fights the Philistines. A suggestion is raised that he is from the Tribe of Shimon. Did every tribe provide at least one judge? An attempt to reconcile a contradiction between the words of Rabbi Eliezer in the Talmud and the Yalkut Shimoni regarding this question is presented.

  3. Refuting the Claim of the Ammonites

    Rabbi Michael Hattin

    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 man of problematic pedigree who was himself gainfully employed in the infamous career of brigandage.Yiftah's "promising" introduction thus recalls a long line of other unsung Biblical heroes, people who rose from obscurity, infamy, or the performance of questionable acts to achieve renown. Like Yiftah, David is expelled from society and like Yiftah he gathers to him a group of people with questionable backgrounds.

    Yiftah's claim to the king of Ammon is explained in great geographical and historical detail.

  4. Yoash's Reversal

    Rabbi Alex Israel

    Melakhim describes Yoash as a good king. A different story is described in great detail in Divrei Hayamim. After Yehoyada's death, Yoash abandons the guidance of the Kohanim, turns to idolatry and murders the prophet Zekharya in the courtyard of the Beit HaMikdash - the son of the man who saved him and made him king. Just as he betrays, his servants betray him and kill him after he is injured in a battle against Hazael - King of Aram who despite being outnumbered defeats Yoash and walks away with great spoils. Different theories are suggested as how to reconcile the two accounts but it remains unclear why this episode is hardly even alluded to in Melakhim.

  5. Ruth: Of Loyalty and Treason

    Rabbi Moshe Shulman

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | |

    Why do Elimelekh and his sons die? And why had they left the Land of Israel in the first place – if their purpose was to escape the famine, then going to Moav would not ameliorate their situation, as Moav would ostensibly be similarly affected. We turn to the stories of Lot and Avraham as well as the Book of Shoftim, supplemented by Midrash and commentary, to help us explore the mystery of the famine and the journey to Moav.  This famine is not caused by rain: this famine is caused by war. His decision to go to Moav is not about leaving the Land of Israel, but rather an act of treason - which contrasts the loyalty and courage of Rut, Naomi, and Boaz.

  6. Lot's Daughters: Real Fears and Drastic Measures

  7. Ehud and Shamgar

    Rabbi Michael Hattin

    The geographical context of the kingdoms to the East of the Jordan River is presented as the background to the heroics of Ehud ben Gera.

    Shamgar ben Anat is described in one brief verse like Shimshon - a hero who fights the Philistines. A suggestion is raised that he is from the Tribe of Shimon. Did every tribe provide at least one judge? An attempt to reconcile a contradiction between the words of Rabbi Eliezer in the Talmud and the Yalkut Shimoni regarding this question is presented.

  8. The Prophecies of Amos: Oracles against the Nations (continued)

    Shiur #09

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

    In this lecture, we will continue our study of Amos’ oracles against the nations. In the previous chapter, we surveyed the history of Eisav/ Edom until the end of the First Commonwealth. We looked at the background of Edomite-Israelite relations in order to put into context their indictment and their punishment. In this lecture, we will do the same with the oracles against Ammon and Moav. From a literary perspective, it may be tough to defend grouping these two oracles together, as one echoes Edom’s brutal desires while the other focuses on explicit brutality towards another royal house. Their both having “long” punishment formulae might be sufficient reason to address them in one lecture, but we have more than that to rely on to justify it.