Mesha Stele

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1. The War Against Moav

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   Ambivalence pervades this chapter. On the one hand, the united forces of Israel find themselves in the desert without water, an error interpreted as a sign of God's disfavor. On the other hand, water is provided miraculously. Israel receives a prophecy from Elisha that it will deal a crushing blow to Moav; ultimately Israel withdraws, resulting in an inconclusive end to the battle. Israel is commanded in the Torah not to be destructive to the land on a military conquest but here Elisha commands them to destroy. Is it possible that Meisha's human sacrifice turns the tide of the war or is he successful in destroying the alliance between Edom and Israel by killing Edom's heir to the throne? Is God with Israel or is He not? This chapter ends with many questions remaining.

2. Tanakh and Archaeology

   Part 2 - From Ahav Onwards

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   The relative abundance of archaeological discoveries dating from the time of King Ahav and onwards do generally accord with the textual account, and therefore even scholars who do not assume the authenticity of the Biblical account acknowledge the basic reliability of the Tanakh’s historical descriptions from this period onwards.