Pride

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1. The Writing on the Wall

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   Opinions vary regarding the precise chronology of the Babylonian dynasty. The kingdom of Babylon is limited to seventy years when no such limitation existed with any previous empire. Belshatzar’s pride and confidence leads him to drink out of the vessels of the Beit HaMikdash. This is similar to the Sages’s description of Ahashverosh’s behavior. Koresh’s desire to send the vessels of the Beit HaMikdash with the Jews back to Israel may have stemmed from a desire to remove the vessels that brought about Belshatzar’s downfall. Daryavesh’s age of sixty two when he assumes the throne of the empire means his birth corresponds with the first time Nevukhadnetzar first entered the Beit HaMikdash.

2. Rehavam: Three Sources - Three Perspectives

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   The description of Rehavam in Melakhim focuses on the sin of idolatry and on the Mikdash in Jerusalem. In Divrei Hayamim the focus is on the sin of pride and has a broader regional focus. Archaeological evidence testifies that Shishak attacked Yerovam in the North. This is not mentioned in either of the bibical accounts. What is the relationship between the various accounts and what is the relationship between the biblkical account and history?

3. Curing Na’aman

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   The themes of the story of Naaman are: power and subservience, pride and humility, authority and submission. Ironically it is from the character of the lowest rank, the Israelite maid, that Na’aman's salvation shall emerge. At the outset we are struck by the enormous contrast between the "young girl – na’ara ketana" and Na’aman, the "great man – ish gadol"; the simple powerless slave child shall save the powerful general. This inversion of the power structure, whereby the lowest figure provides the key to salvation for her superior, undercuts the aforementioned hierarchy.  It is not the grand ceremonies and gestures, but the contrite heart that God sees; not opportunistic manipulation, but pure straightforward honesty and humility that stand before God. 

4. Tests of Faith

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   Hizkiyahu's prayer in the face of a prophecy from Yishayahu of his impending death and the reversal of this prophecy to extend his life and his reign for 15 more years makes Hizkiyahu a paragon of faith. Conversely his dealings with Berodakh Baladan, King of Babylon, are criticized harshly by Yishyahu. Divrei Hayamim paints a picture of arrogance and pride as leading to Hizkiyahu's illness and perhaps the censure he received for his dealings with the Babylonian King. Melakhim seems to be critical of putting faith in other nations and forming alliances as a rejection of faith in God. 

   These two stories lead to a broader discussion within Hizkiyahu's character and in general of proactiveness versus faith in God. The Sages criticize Hizkiyahu for chanelling the waters of Gihon into the city and for utilizing the Book of Remedies as expressing a lack of faith. Are these criticisms justified?

5. Yaakov to his Sons: Do Not Appear Satiated

   Rabbi David Silverberg

6. Ekev: Monotheism, Paganism, and Human Pride

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen

7. The Ran on Ekev

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen

8. Mishlei - Part 11: Wisdom Before Creation

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen | 40 minutes

   The eleventh part of our series looks at the majority of the second half of the eighth chapter of Mishlei. This section contains some of the most philosophical parts of the book. We will aim for a literary reading, but our reading will bring out some philosophical ideas which we will see in context. We encounter the tension between the ideas that pride is antithetical to wisdom, but knowledge is power.  We consider the concept of God as Creator and “acquirer” of the world, and relate it to the story of Malkitzedek and Avraham, who wanted God’s name to infuse society.

   What does it mean that God created wisdom before forming the universe? The basis for coming closer to God is translating the wisdom that preceded existence into our reality. Once it plays out in reality, it becomes a delight to human beings.