Nach Yomi for Avraham

Melachim I - Chapter 1 with Rashi (English)

“The Haftorah of "Chaye Sora" should have started with the matter of succession but there is the funny story of the "Shunamith" the unknown girl who was chosen as a companion to David in his final years. Why should we be informed of the strange story of the "Shunamith"? What is the significance?
The people supported Adoniyahu! The whole Tribe of Yehuda supported Adoniyahu. This is how David became King because he was supported by the people of Yehuda. Shlomo only had Noson the prophet and the security guard -- and for Adoniyahu it was tantamount to Coronation. They would have proclaimed him King on the spot and it would be the end of the contest. Their policy was simple! They knew that David wouldn’t support Adoniyahu and so they tried to isolate David -- that no one should approach him. He knew nothing of it and only found out when BasSheva came in to him at the advice of the Prophet. They declared David sick, not to be disturbed. The girl (Shunamith) ministered to him and was instructed none should enter. The inner clique hired her just for this purpose. Thus, Adoniyahu will be Melech (King).
But they made a mistake about her. If she kept out Bassheva, Adoniyahu would be king. The miracle was that she admitted BasSheva. The entire turn of events was due to this strange girl; she kept out the others and let in BasSheva and it determined the Kingdom. Adoniyahu was a warrior and Shlomo was a "Chochom" -- scholar but not warrior. David took the advice of Noson and Bassheva. Adoniyahu lost -- Shlomo won. Interestingly, we find another great woman called "Shunamith" -- at the time of Elisha the Prophet. Thus, "Shunamith" was the "Sheliach", the messenger of the Al-mighty.” – transcribed from R’ Soloveitchik zt’l at http://www.613.org/rav/ravnotes2.html

Dr. Meir Tamari contrasts David's relationships with Avishag and Bassheva

R' Gidon Rothstein on our perek

Nechama Leibowitz contrasts the last acts of David and Avraham

R' LEibel Reznick investiagtes where Shlomo was anointed

מלכים א, פרק א: ימי זקנתו של דוד וצוואתו

Audio of R’ Eric Levy :

Chapter 1: Authorship of Kings, what is a king, and the fight for succession

Chapter 1b: The Kohen rivalry, David's political and military savvy wins Solomon the throne, and the wisdom of co-regencies

Chapter 1c, 2b: The King, the Queen-Mum, the rebellious brother, the ex-wife, and the doomed ex-general.

Schedule for Sefer Melachim

2006-07-16T18:25:00.000-04:00

8  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     1
9  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     2
10  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     3
11  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     4
12  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     5
13  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     6
14  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     7
15  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     8
16  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     9
17  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     10
18  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     11
19  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     12
20  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     13
21  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     14
22  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     15
23  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     16
24  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     17
25  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     18
26  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     19
27  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     20
28  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     21
29  July     Melachim Alef Chapter     22
30  July     Melachim Beis Chapter     1
31  July     Melachim Beis Chapter     2
1 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     3
2 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     4
3 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     5
4 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     6
5 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     7
6 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     8
7 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     9
8 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     10
9 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     11
10 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     12
11 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     13
12 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     14
13 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     15
14 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     16
15 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     17
16 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     18
17 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     19
18 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     20
19 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     21
20 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     22
21 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     23
22 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     24
23 August     Melachim Beis Chapter     25

Shmuel II Chapter 24- 12 Tammuz (Shabbos July 8)

2006-07-16T18:16:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 24 with Rashi (English)

R’ Amnon Bazak discusses great purchases of land in Eretz Yisrael
R’ Binyamin Tabori discusses census in Halakha
ההסכים ארונה למכור את מקום המקדש? (/ ר מאיר גרוזמן

Hadran Alakh Sefer Shmuel!

Shmuel II Chapter 23- 11 Tammuz - Friday July 7

2006-07-16T18:01:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 23 with Rashi (English)

R’ Mordechai Torcyzner on Binayahu ben Yehoyada
שמואל ב' כג: מלחמות שאול ודוד / ברוך קנאל

Shmuel II Chapter 22- 10 Tammuz (Thursday July 6)

2006-07-16T17:36:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 22

This chapter appears (more or less) as Tehillim 18.

In Shmuel, the final pasuk is :
51. He gives great salvation (migdol) to His king, and He performs kindness to His anointed; to David and to his seed, forevermore.

Whereas in tehillim:
51. He gives great salvations (magdil) to His king, and He performs kindness to His anointed; to David and to his seed forever.
In Birkas ha-Mazon, we cite this text, using the Shmuel text on Shabbos and Yom Tov, and Tehillim during the week.

More on the implications of this custom can be found at
http://dafyomi.shemayisrael.co.il/shabbos/insites/sh-dt-116.htm
http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v27/mj_v27i23.html

Shmuel II Chapter 21- 9 tammuz (Wednesday July 5)

2006-07-13T19:34:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 21 with Rashi (English)

R' Yitzchak Adlerstein discusses chilul Hashem and the famine in our chapter

שמואל ב' כא: עיון בפרשת רצפה בת איה / מ. בן ישר

Shmuel II Chapter 20- 8 Tammuz- (Tuesday July 4)

2006-07-06T08:37:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 20 with Rashi (English)

Menachem Elon discusses how Sheva ben Bichri impacts on the question of extradition in halakha

Was Sheva ben Bichri actually Nevat, Yeravam's father?

Was the wise woman in our chapter Serach bas Asher? Mrs. Leah Kohn discusses.

Shmuel II Chapter 19- 7 Tammuz- (Monday July 3)

2006-07-03T08:52:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 19 with Rashi (English)

“Reb Chaim Shmulevitz told that he often would stand by Yad Avshalom and say a tefillah. He was once asked, "Wasn't Avshalom a rasha - a wicked man? Why pray at his graveside?"
He replied, "Contemplate Avshalom - he tried to kill his father; and yet when he died, his father David was brokenhearted and prayed for him. This helps me understand what is meant by a 'father's mercy,' and I'm ready to beseech G-d: 'As a father has mercy on a son, so should G-d have mercy on us!'"”
http://www.famousrabbis.com/shmulevitz.htm

Shmuel II Chapter 18- 6 Tammuz- Sunday July 2

2006-07-02T18:43:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 18

Sources on Avshalom in Chazal

Audio of R’ Eric Levy on David and Avshalom

Shmuel II Chapter 17- 5 Tammuz- (Shabbos July 1)

2006-07-02T15:04:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 17

R' Mordechai Torczyner on Achitofel

Shmuel II Chapter 16- 4 Tammuz (Friday June 30)

2006-07-02T14:58:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 16

R' Mosheh Lichtenstein examines whteher David was still considered a king in exile, and the ramifications for Shimi
The Ba'al haTanya discusses hashkafic/ethical implications of David's encounter with Shimi

Shmuel II Chapter 15- 3 Tammuz (Thursday June 29)

2006-06-29T15:03:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 15

R' Moshe Taragin on the relationship between Dovid and Achitofel

Today is the yahrzteit of the Rebbe of Lubavitch, R’ Menachem Mendel Schneersohn zt’l, zya’a.

Shmuel II Chapter 14- 2 Tammuz (Wednesday June 28)

2006-06-29T14:34:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 14 with Rashi (English)

Avshalom as a Nazir?

Talmudic sources on David and Avshalom

Shmuel II Chapter 13- 1 Tammuz (Tuesday 27 June)

2006-06-29T14:04:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 13 with Rashi (English)

מדוע ביקש אמנון דווקא לביבות? בין סיפור אמנון ותמר לשיר השירים ...

Mekoros on Amnon and Tamar and the prohibiton of Yichud by R' Aharon Frazer

The Love/Hate connection

Shmuel II Chapter 12- 30 Sivan (Monday 26 June )

2006-06-28T14:54:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 12

דוד בן ישי - מופת לבעלי תשובה : יהודה אליצור
David haMelech's psalm on the death of a child--but which one?

Shmuel II Chapter 11- 29 Sivan (Sunday June 25)

2006-06-28T13:51:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 11

R’ Gil Student discusses “Did Dovid sin?” here and here

Meshech Chochmah on David and BasSheva

R’ Uri Cohen has a linked bibliography on varying approaches to sins of figures in Tanach here
Index to Talmudic sources on David and BAssheva

פרשת דוד ובת שבע והמבוכה המוסרית של דורנו / יהודה אליצור

Mekoros on David's sin *(Hebrew)

R' Yehuda Herzl Henkin on David's sin (Hebrew)

Mekoros on sins of the Avot by R' JJ Schachter (mostly Hebrew)

Shmuel II Chapter 10- 27 Sivan (Shabbos June 24)

2006-06-26T23:04:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 10 with Rashi (english)
מערכות דוד נגד עמון- שרגא גפני
מלחמות שאול ודוד / ברוך קנאל
(

Shmuel II Chapter 9- 26 Sivan (Thursday June 22)

2006-06-26T22:52:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 9 with Rashi (English)

סיכומי עניינות של פרקי החסד והתשובה, / יהודה קיל

II Shmuel 8 - 25 Sivan (Wednesday June 21)

2006-06-26T22:35:00.000-04:00

II Shmuel 8 with Rashi (English)
מלחמות דוד המלך

Shmuel II Chapter 7- 24 Sivan (Tuesday June 20)

2006-06-20T21:53:00.000-04:00

Text and Rashi (English) of II Shmuel Chapter 7 (image placeholder)

In Divrei haYamim 22:8-9, David haMelech gives the famous explanation his hands being bloody precluding him from building the Mikdash (note that this explanation is not found in our perek

Ramban on the sin of delaying building the בית המקדש

Shmuel II Chapter 6- 23 Sivan (Monday June 19)

2006-06-19T09:12:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 6 with Rashi (English)

R' Yehuda Eisenberg on transporting the Aron (Hebrew)

R"Yehonatan Chipman on the stories in the perek

Parallels between Nadav and Avihu and Peretz Uzzah

Painting of transportation of aron to Yerushalayim

David's dancing and the Eigel (Hebrew)

Shmuel II Chapter 5- 22 Sivan (Sunday June 18)

2006-06-19T08:47:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 5 with Rashi (English)

A fascinating website devoted the history of Ancient Yerushalayim (currently only in Hebrew, although there is an English section "coming soon")

Rav Aviner discusses the difficulties in conquering Yerushalayim

A creative explanation of the צינור פסחים ועוורים (Hebrew)

Shmuel II Chapter 4- 21 Sivan (Shabbos June 17)

2006-06-19T08:26:00.000-04:00

Shmuel II - Chapter 4 with Rashi (English)

Two heads in Chevron?

1.) From Pirkei d’ R’ Eliezer 38:
וכשבאו למערת המכפלה בא עליהם עשו מהר חורב לחרחר ריב ואמ' שלי הוא מערת המכפלה מה עשה יוסף שלח לרכוש מזלות ולירד למצרים ולעלות כתב עולם שהיה בינם לכך הלך נפתלי שהוא אילה שלוחה חושים בן דן היה פגום באזנו ובלשונו אמ' להם מפני מה אנחנו יושבין כאן הראהו באצבעו אמ' לו בשביל האיש הזה שאינו מניח אותנו לקבור את יעקב שלף את חרבו והתיז את ראשו של עשו ונכנס הראש לתוך מערת המכפלה ואת גוייתו שלח לארץ אחוזתו בהר שעיר

And he cut off Eisav’s head, and it entered Me’aras haMachpeilah, and his body was sent to the land of his inheritance on Mt. Seir

2.) Shmuel II 4:12

But the head of Ish-boshes they took and buried in the grave of Avner in Chevron.

What’s the connection?

II Shmuel Chapter 3- 20 Sivan- (Friday June 16)

2006-06-16T16:50:00.000-04:00

Text and Rashi (English) of II Shmuel Chapter 3 (image placeholder)

R' Mordechai Torczyner on Michal

Rav Meidan discusses Yoav's guile

Discussion of Chazal on death of Avner

Bibi Netanyahu on parallels between the killings of Avner and Yitzhak Rabin

Pictures of Kever Avner

Shmuel II Chapter 2 - 19 Sivan- (Thursday June 15)

2006-06-16T16:34:00.000-04:00

Text and Rashi (English) of II Shmuel Chapter 2 (image placeholder)

Rav Nebenzahl discusses Avner's coronation of Ish Boshes

Shmuel II Chapter 1- 18 Sivan (Wednesday June 14)

2006-06-16T16:18:00.000-04:00

Text and Rashi (English) of II Shmuel Chapter 1 (image placeholder)

Was the Amalekite for real? R Yehuda Elitzur on the Informer (hebrew)

Shmuel I Chapter 31- 17 Sivan (Tuesday June 13)

2006-06-14T07:57:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 31

R’ Reuven Spolter on A Hero's Death? Source Sheets Audio file
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 31
A discussion of physician-assisted suicide by R’ Yitzchak Breitowitz , including reference to the case of Shaul
Navi Shiur: Great Stories from the Nevi'im: The Death of Shaul by Rabbi Steven Pruzansky

Shmuel I Chapter 30- 16 Sivan- (Monday June 12)

2006-06-14T07:42:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 30 with Rashi (English)

Tehillim 94 and the war of Tziklag (Hebrew)

Shmuel I Chapter 29- 15 Sivan (Sunday June 11)

2006-06-11T19:45:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 29

R’ Reuven Spolter Distractions and DiversionsSource Sheets Audio file
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 29, 30

Shmuel I Chapter 29- 15 Sivan- Sunday June 11

2006-06-11T19:44:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 29

R’ Reuven Spolter Distractions and DiversionsSource Sheets Audio file
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 29, 30

Shmuel I Chapter 28- 14 Sivan- (Shabbos June 10)

2006-06-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 28 with Rashi (English)
The tale of the Witch of Endor is likely the inspiration for the name of Endora, Samantha's mother on the TV series Bewitched. –(from Wikipedia)

Was the witch for real? Read an overview by Mordechai Halperin (in Hebrew) which lays out the classical positions on the issues of magic in Tanach (and our story in particular)
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 28
R’ Reuven Spolter:
Chapter 28a: Internal ContradictionsSource Sheets Audio file
Shiur 15: Chapter 28b: Was It Just in His Mind?Source Sheets Audio file
Audio of R' Steven Pruzansky on "Shaul and the Witch of Ein Dor"
Dr. Yisrael Rozenson on Har Gilboa (Hebrew)
בגדיו של שאול ומעילו של שמואל : שאול בעין דור
Dr. Uriel Simon on Shaul and the Ba'alas Ov (Hebrew)

Shmuel I Chapter 27- 13 Sivan- (Friday June 9)

2006-06-09T13:56:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 27 with Rashi (English)

R Reuven Spolter – “Traitor”- Source Sheets Audio file
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 27

Shmuel I Chapter 26- 12 Sivan (

2006-06-07T21:41:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 26 with Rashi (English)

R’ Reuven Spolter on “Not a Moment to Spear” Source Sheets Audio file
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 26

Shmuel I Chapter 25- 11 Sivan- (Wednesday June 7)

2006-06-06T22:28:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 25 with Rashi (English)

Rav Yaakov Medan on David and Naval (Hebrew)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 25

R’ Reuven Spolter: “The Mantle of Leadership” Source Sheets Audio file

Mrs. Leah Kohn on Avigayil part I and part II

R' Mordechai Torczyner on Avigayil

Shmuel I Chapter 24- 10 Sivan (Tuesday June 6)

2006-06-06T10:01:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 24 with Rashi (English)

R’ Reuven Spolter on “Cutting Corners” Source Sheets Audio file
R' Gidon Rothstein on Chapter24
מוטיב הבגד בספורי שאול ודוד

Shmuel I Chapter 23- 9 Sivan - (Monday June 5)

2006-06-05T14:29:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 23 with Rashi (english)

R Reuven Spolter on “ The Militia” Source Sheets Audio file

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 23

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 23II

Shmuel I Chapter 22- 8 Sivan Isru Chag- (Sunday June 4)

2006-06-04T22:08:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 22 with Rashi (English)

The after effects of the slaughter of Nov
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 22
R’ Reuven Spolter on Chapter 22: Madman or Genius?Source Sheets Audio file

Shmuel I Chapter 21- 7 Sivan Shavuos/Isru Chag- (Shabbos June 3)

2006-06-04T12:33:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 21 with Rashi (English)

R’ Reuven Spolter: Chapter 21: The Split Begins "The Split begins" (audio)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 21

R’ Mordechai Torcznyer on Doeg haEdomi

Shmuel I Chapter 20- Shavuos 6 Sivan- (Friday June 2)

2006-06-04T12:07:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 20

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 20
R’ Reuven Spolter “The Final Split - on Rosh Chodesh”: Source Sheets Audio file
Audio of R' Shalom Gold on Machar Chodesh
סעודת ראש חודש / ב. נחמני
Bnei Yisaschar on מלכות בית דוד and ר"ח (a little cut off, you can also go to www.munkatcherseforim.com/pdf/beneyisaschar1.pdf and scroll to page 79, אות ט"ו

Shmuel I Chapter 19- 5 Sivan- Erev Shavuos- (Thursday June 1)

2006-05-31T12:19:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 19

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 19
R’ Reuven Spolter on “ Friends and Enemies” Source Sheets Audio file
Mrs Leah Kohn on Michal
Audio of R' Steven Pruzansky Navi Shiur: Great Stories from the Nevi'im: David and Yonaton

Shmuel I Chapter 18- 4 Sivan Shloshes Yemei haGbalah- (Wednesday May 31)

2006-05-31T12:02:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 18

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 18
R’ Mordechai Torczyner analyzes Michal and Meirav
Audio of R' Eric Levy on David and Yehonatan
R’ Baruch Berman on love in ספר שמואל (Hebrew)
Audio of R’ Reuven Spolter : “Chapter 18: "The Split Begins"

Shmuel I Chapter 17- 3 Sivan- Shloshes Yemei haGabalah- (Tuesday May 30)

2006-05-24T00:33:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 17 with Rashi (English)
(image placeholder)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 17A and R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 17B

R’ Reuven Spolter:

Shiur 1: Chapter 17 Part 1: Before the Battle - David at the CampSource Sheets Audio file
Shiur 2: Chapter 17 Part 2: The Fatal Fight (and ours as well)Source Sheets Audio file

R’ Yitzchak Adlerstein on Orpah and גולית

בן מי זה הנער אבנר? / נסים מזוז

Shmuel I Chapter 16- Yom haMeyuchas- 2 Sivan (Monday May 29)

2006-05-24T00:16:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 16 with Rashi (English)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 16
Chana Weisberg discusses the midrashim concerning the rumors about David's parentage
On the first meeting of David and Shaul

Shmuel I Chapter 15- Rosh Chodesh Sivan (Sunday May 28)

2006-05-23T23:47:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 15 with english (Rashi)

Rav Aharon Lichtenstein שליט'א on Shaul's sin amd the morality of destroying Amalek (its very long, you may need to scroll down to the relevant section )

The Lubavitcher Rebbe זיע'א on the sin of Shaul

R' Menachem Leibtag on Shaul and Amalek

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 15

Rav Medan on Amalek
יואל בן נון משא אגג - חטא שאול בעמלק
ישראל רוזן על שאול ועמלק ועל 'מהפכנות חדשנית'
יואל בן נון משא אגג - תשובה לדברים
ישראל רוזן שאול ועמלק - תגובה

Rav Elchanan Samet discusses wars against Amalek

Shmuel I Chapter 14- 29 Iyyar (Shabbos May 27)

2006-05-23T23:41:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 14 (with English)

Is יונתן the origin of the symbolism of honey on Rosh HaShana?
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 14

Shmuel I Chapter 13- 28 Iyyar Yom [cheirus] Yerushalayim- (Friday May 26)

2006-05-23T23:04:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 13 with English (Rashi)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 13

Shaul's two sins

Shmuel I Chapter 12- 27 Iyyar (Thursday May 25)

2006-05-23T21:37:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 12 with Rashi (English)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 12
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag on "Is a king good for the Jews?"

Shmuel I Chapter 11- 26 Iyyar- (Wednesday May 24)

2006-05-23T01:09:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 11 with Rashi (English)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 11

Audio of R’ Eric Levy : Shaul: Shevet Binyamin: Where Yehuda and Yoseph Meet

Shmuel I Chapter 10- Iyyar 25 (tuesday May 23)

2006-05-23T00:57:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 10 with Rashi ( English)

R’ Yitz Etshalom asks: “ Where is Kever Rachel?"

שמואל א' י: נבואה וגורל במקרא / יהודה איזנברג

אותות שאול ובעית קבורת רחל

נאוה גוטמן ''עם קבורת רחל בגבול בנימין בצלצח''
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 10

Shmuel I Chapter 9- Iyyar 24 (Monday May 22)

2006-05-22T16:42:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 9 with Rashi (English)

Shmuel I Chapter 8- Iyyar 23 (Sunday May 21)

2006-05-20T23:17:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 8 with Rashi (English)

See how the Rambam views Shmuel’s description of the king’s powers as indicative of the halakhic prerogatives of the king (Hebrew)
שמואל א' ח: וירע הדבר בעיני שמואל / רינה בויאר
שמואל א' ח: בקשת המלך ועליית הפלשתים / א 'גרוסמן
שמואל א' ח: שמואל הנביא והמלוכה / יהודה אליצור
שמואל א' ח: תפיסת ההיסטוריה בתנ"ך / יהודה אליצור
שמואל א' ח: סוגיית מלך / יהודה קופרמן

Rav Hershel Schachter discusses the halakhic basis of taxation

R’ Mosheh Lichtenstein discusses the Torah’s views of differnet governmental systems

R’ Elchanan Samet on monarchy in Judaism

What does the Torah say about Monarchy?

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shmuel I Chapter 7- 22 Iyyar (Shabbos May 20)

2006-05-20T22:51:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 7 with Rashi (English)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 7

R’ Yaakov Ariel discusses the connection between קרבנות and נבואה (Hebrew)

אבן העזר

Audio R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on “Shmuel’s Reign”:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shmuel I Chapter 6- 21 Iyyar (Friday May 19)

2006-05-18T23:35:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 6 with Rashi (English)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 6

פלשתים, יהודים, וארון הברית / יהודה איזנברג

R Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on “the Return of the Aron:”

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shmuel I Chapter 5- 20 Iyyar (Thursday May 18)

2006-05-17T17:38:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I Chapter 5- 20 Iyyar (Thursday May 18)
Shmuel I - Chapter 5 (With Rashi-English)
R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 5
ארון ה' בארץ פלשתים / יהודה אליצור
האליל דגון / פינחס ארצי
R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on the captiviy of the Aron

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shmuel I Chapter 4- 19 Iyyar- (Wednesday May 17)

2006-05-15T10:19:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 4 with Rashi (English)

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 4
R' Avichai HaLevi on the fall of Mishkan Shilo (hebrew)
R Mordechai Torcyzner on Chofni and Pinchas

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on “Rise of Shmuel and the War with the Pelishtim”:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shmuel I Chapter 3- 18 Iyyar Lag ba'Omer (Tuesday May 16)

2006-05-15T10:18:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 3 with Rashi (English)

R'Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 3

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on “The Doom of the House of Eli, and Shmuel’s initiation”:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Dr Uriel Simon: הקדשת הנער שמואל לנבואה : חלק א and הקדשת הנער שמואל לנבואה : חלק ב

Shmuel I Chapter 2- 17 Iyyar (Monday May 15)

2006-05-13T21:55:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 2 with Rashi (English)

Rav Baruch Gigi on Tefillas Chana and the Rosh Hashana Davening

R’ Gidon Rothstein on Chapter 2

חנה: תפילת תרעומת וענווה / אברהם וולפיש

R' Efrayim Zik on שירת חנה (Hebrew)
ADDeRabbi on the sons of Eli

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Chana’s Song:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Today is the Yahrtzeit of the Noda be-Yehuda, R’Yechezkel haLevi Landau zt’l.
י-ה זכות אבות יגן עלינו!

Shmuel I Chapter 1- 16 Iyyar (SundayMay 14)

2006-05-13T21:53:00.000-04:00

Shmuel I - Chapter 1 with Rashi (English)

Rabbi Gidon Rothstein on Shmuel I 1

R' Ari Kahn on Elkana and Chana

R’ Moti Elon on Chana and infertility (English)

Leah Kohn on Chana 's prayers

R’ Rivlin discusses whether Chana was too audacious in her prayer?

חנה באספקלריא של חז'ל

Ma'amarei Chazal on Eli
ADDeRabbi on the conflict between Chana and Eli

Audio of Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Elkana and Chana:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Sources for Sefer Shmuel

2006-05-13T21:32:00.000-04:00

Mekoros for Sefer Shmuel

A linear translation of Sefer Shmuel

Text of Yalkut Shimoni on Shmuel

Mussar ha-Neviim (aTorah Temima style commentary on Neviim Rishonim)

Audio shiurim of R'Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Shmuel

ייחודו ומגמתו של ספר שמואל

Index ofTalmudic sources on Shmuel

Shoftim Chapter 21- 15 Iyyar- (Shabbos May 13)

2006-05-10T10:45:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 21 with Rashi (English)

The Lubavitcher Rebbe zt'l on Tu be-Av and the prohibition on Shevet Binyamin

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Hadran alakh, Sefer Shoftim!

Shoftim Chapter 20- Pesach Sheni 14 Iyyar- (Friday May 12)

2006-05-10T07:56:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 20 with Rashi (English)

For the second time this sefer, civil war erupts. The tribe of Benjamin is practically decimated because the rest of the people are outraged that they could defile this concubine so. The nation did consult the kohain (Pinchas – another proof that this story was early in the era) and Hashem sanctioned the war; but it was bloody and Binyamin suffered heavy casualties.
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

מי אתה פינחס בן אלעזר? / יהודה איזנברג

Shoftim Chapter 19- 13 Iyyar- (Thursday May 11)

2006-05-10T07:44:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 19 with Rashi (English)

The perek starts of happy with a young man and his concubine couple visiting the in-laws. Despite (because of) the father’s hospitality, the couple decides to travel home. On the journey, night falls, and the couple looks for a place to stops and lodge in the neighborhood of the tribe on Binyamin. Unfortunately, no one offers to let them stay for the night. A man from Ephraim, not from the tribe of Binyamin, warns them not to stay in the street and offers to house them for the night. The men of the neighborhood hear about this hospitality and demand that the host send out the concubine of the guest so they can have their way with her. Ultimately, the mob was successful and the woman is returned in the morning dead. In response, the man cuts up her body into 12 pieces to send a clear message to every tribe about this horrific event.
What story in Bereishit does this even have eerie similarities too. (Check out Bereishit Chapter 19)

(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Ramban (Bereishis 19:8) on Pilegesh be-Givah and Sedom (Hebrew)

Halachically, what is a pilegesh?

A brief archaeological survey of the site of Giveah

Megilas Rus and Pilegesh be'Givah (hebrew)

Anonymity as literary device in Shoftim (Hebrew)
יעקב אריאל הפילגש ומעמדה ההלכתי במקרא

עיונים בפרשת פילגש בגבעה

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Pilegesh be-Givah:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shoftim Chapter 18- 12 Iyyar- (Wednesday May 10)

2006-05-10T07:14:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 18 with Rashi (English)
In Yehoshua 19 40-46 we learned the tribe of Dan wasn’t happy with their land. They said: “that there is this section all the way in the North that we want.” They went to go claim it. The people of Dan consulted this levi to see if they would win the war. Ultimately they won the war and adopted Micha’s levi as their own to establish idolatry up in the North.

[This is a likely proof that Shoftim is order thematically and not chronologically since this story would have taken place at the beginning of the era of the judges and not towards the end.]

Who is Yehonatan?
What message is the sefer trying to promote by being organizes this way?
What line is repeated over and over? Why?What role did this city in Dan have in the split of the kingdom of Rechavam in Melachim II?

(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

R’ Yitz Etshalom discusses the real Nachalas Dan

R’Brandes on Moshe Rabbeinu's grandson (hebrew)

R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on chapter 18:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shoftim Chapter 17- 11 Iyyar- (Tuesday May 9)

2006-05-09T07:20:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 17 with Rashi (English)
The perek opens with an admission of guilt; a child stole money from his mother. His admission comes with reparations. It is clear that the mother had dedicated it to an idol which Micha then builds. Meanwhile, a person from (Judah) levi goes on a trip and Micha makes him his Kohain. Is he a kohain? It seems not, that Micha simply decides that he should have this role which this levi happily accepts.
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Audio of R Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Pesel Micha:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Micha in Chazal
R' Brandes on Pesel Micha (Hebrew)

R' Mordechai Sabato on Pesel Micha (Hebrew)

Shoftim Chapter 16- 10 Iyyar (Monday May 8)

2006-05-07T10:15:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 16
Finally, we arrive at the story that Shimshon is most famous for: his relationship with Delilah. At this point, Shimshon’s strength is clearly identified and he is a legend among the people. Delilah confronts Shimshon and tries to identify the source of his strength. Ultimately, she is successful and Shimshon is capture and tortured by the Pilishtim. Significantly, Shimshon’s strength stems for his long Nazirite locks that highlight his special status as a Godly person. Ironically, the navi spent the last four chapters telling us stories that are not usually associated with a holy existence. Ultimately, in the final hour, Shimshon uses his strength to prove that not every strong person can use his strength to be the savior.
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

An analysis of Shimshon's sin

More on Shimshon from Kollel Iyun haDaf

R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Delila:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shoftim Chapter 15- 9 Iyyar (Sunday May 7)

2006-05-07T10:05:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 15 with Rashi (English)

Shimshon attempts to return to his wife. Upon discovery that she has married another, he avenges himself on the Pelishtim by setting pairs of foxes with torches attached to their tails loose in the fields. In retaliation, Shimshon’s wife and her father are burned to death by the Pelishtim.
Three thousand men from Yehuda attempt to turn over Shimshon to the Pelishtim.He agrees if they bind him and do not attempt to kill him themselves. When they meet the Pelishtim, Shimson is overcome by a divine spirit, sanps the ropes and kills one thousand Pelishtim with the jawbone of a donkey. Parched, Shimshon beseeches Hashem for water, and water flows from the jawbone.

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on “Shimshon’s Revenge”:
Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
R' Meir Goldwicht on Shimshon (Hebrew)
סיפורי שמשון

Shoftim Chapter 14- 8 Iyyar (Shabbos May 6)

2006-05-05T07:52:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 14 with Rashi (English)
Continuing the theme of strange characteristics for a leader of Israel, Shimshon grows into an adult and wants to marry a woman of Timna. His parents are upset; why can’t he marry Jewish? The navi is careful to point out that this is what Hashem wanted – but on the surface it strikes the reader as rather odd. Shishon’s tale is marked by unusual – take the incident with the lion and the ensuing riddle, or the fact that most of the tale of a shofet takes place within the tribe of the philshtim.
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Are the Plishtim of Shoftim the same as the Plishtim of Bereishis? R’Gil Student discusses it here. (With similar discussion from a BI professor here)

A “Defense of Shimshon” by R'Chaim Jachter.

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

"The Sphinx as Leader" - R'Shalom Carmy on Shimshon (including a discussion of the riddles!)

R'Yehuda Eisenberg on Shimshon (Hebrew)

You can see the sedarim schedule for Shmuel....

2006-05-04T18:02:00.000-04:00

at http://nachyomiiyun.blogspot.com/2006/05/sedorim-schedule-for-shmuel-12.html.
Mazal Tov on the completion of Shoftim!

Shoftim Chapter 13 - 7 Iyyar (Friday May 5)

2006-05-04T07:46:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 13 with Rashi (English)

Shimshon is the final shofet that is highlighted as an individual. Everything in the Shimshon story is supernatural. His birth is a miracle; the story of the lion is miraculous. His death is powerful and supernatural…
There are three parts to the story:
His birth (perek 13)
Shimshon’s birth is strikingly familiar and strange simultaneously. On one hand, the concept of the barren woman receiving a prophecy about an impending birth reminds us of the birth of Yitzchak, and in the future, Shmuel. On the other hand, the woman – who receives her navuah when her husband is not present - is only identified as the "wife of Manoach." Additionally, her conversation with the messenger requires her to vow that her son will be a Nazir.
Look up Bamidbar perek 6 to find out why this vow of Nazarite is unusual.

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on the birth of Shimshon:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

R’ Mordechai Torczyner discusses Shimshon's mother

An analysis of Manoach and his wife by Yael Zohar

Audio of R’ Eric Levy:

Shoftim Ch. 13 - Shimshon's Family

Shoftim Ch. 13 - Shimshon and Nazir Issues

Rabbi Frand on how to raise a Nazir

Listen to the perek as leined by R' Jeremy Wieder

Shoftim Chapter 12 - 6 Iyyar (Thursday May 4)

2006-05-01T09:52:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 12 with Rashi (English)

The flaw with Yiftach’s leadership is further emphasized by perek 12 when the country breaks out in civil war. Yiftach’s method of systematically pinpointing those from the tribe of Efraim in order to punish them for their recalcitrance in the war from the previous perek shows the disunity of the tribes of Israel. The burning question remains: if only there were a unifying leader! This chaos is clearly destroying the nation.
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Shoftim Chapter 11- 5 Iyyar Yom haAtzmaut (Wednesday May 3)

2006-05-01T09:47:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 11 with Rashi (English)

The story of Yiftach is a transitional point in the sefer. After Gideon and his son, Avimelech, are "dethroned" the leadership qualities of the subsequent shoftim disintegrate. Yiftach is a prime example of this. On one hand, the navi emphasizes that he is a general and a warrior and he was successful in his military campaign. on the other hand, the emphasis that the navi places on his lineage and the sacrificial vow that he took in order to win the war is clearly meant to be disturbing; since when is human sacrifice ok? The navi’s central thesis of proving the need for a Divinely appointed king is clearly highlighted. It is hard not to read the story of Yiftach and not come away from it thinking: how come he did not know better. The answer, of course, is that with a navi and a king that Hashem has chosen he would have known better.

(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

R’ Michael Hattin on Yiftach part I and part II.

R’Moti Elon on Yiftach and Pinchas

Hebrew text

Audio (Hebrew)

R’ Alex Israel on Yiftach and his vow

Audio of R’Eric Levy:

Shoftim Ch. 10-11: Yiftach in his Generation

Shoftim Ch. 11: Yiftach and Religion

Shoftim Ch 11-12 - Yiftach, Ephrayim Amon and Moav

Shoftim Ch. 11 - Yiftach-His Daughter and his Vow

R' Yehuda Shaviv on Yiftach
Audio of R Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer:

Part 1:Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
Part 2:Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shoftim Chapter 10-- 4 Iyyar Yom haZikaron --- (Tuesday May 22)

2006-05-01T09:33:00.000-04:00

Shoftim Chapter 10 with Rashi (English)

R Michael Hattin on perek 10

R’ Moshe Lichtenstein suggests that Tola and Yair were very significant figures

R’ Yisrael Rozen weighs in on the mysterious Yair haGiladi

Audio R Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Chap. 10: Yair, Thirties, & a New Nadir:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

Shoftim Chapter 9- 3 Iyyar- (Monday May 1)

2006-04-30T19:48:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 9 with Rashi (English)

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechofer on Avimelech
Part I: Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
Part II: Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
R' Michael Hattin on Avimelech
Audio of R’Eric Levy :
Shoftim Ch. 9: Avimelech and the Secret of Schem
Shoftim Ch. 9: Avimelech and Gidon: Thesis and Antithesis
R'Menachem LEibtag on "Between Gideon and Avimelech"

Shoftim Chapter 8-2 Iyyar (Sunday April 30)

2006-04-30T19:41:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 8 with Rashi (English)

In the aftermath of victory, Gidon and his army pursue Zevach and Tzalmuna, kings of Midyan, to the east bank of the Jordan, and appeal for support from the inhabitants of Sukkos and Pnuel, who refuse him.
After defeating Zevach and Tzalmuna, he administered harsh punishemnts to the leaders of Sukkos and Pnuel.
Gidon is offered the criwn, but turns it down. Instead, he collects gold from the spoils, and uses it construct an Eifod, which he leaves in the city of Ofrah, and becomes a snare for Gidon's household (apparently, in some idolatrous sense.)
After Gidon's death, Bnei Yisrael become involved with the worship of Baal.
Links:

R’Yisrael Rozenson on offer of the crown to Gidon (Hebrew)

Dr. Meir Tamari discusses Gidon's eifod at http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5763/nitzvay63/navi.htm
R’ Michael Hattin on the Victory over Midian

Audio of R’ Eric Levy:

Shoftim Ch. 8: Civil War Avoided - Civil War Joined
Shoftim Ch. 8: Kingship or Priesthood, Efod or Terafim
Gideon: Church and State Combined

Shoftim song

2006-04-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

Click here to hear a Hebrew song to help memorize all the Shoftim! (During Sefirah, please note that this link does include instrumental music and proceed accordingly.)

Shoftim Chapter 7 - Rosh Chodesh Iyyar- (Shabbos April 29)

2006-04-28T10:06:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 7 with Rashi (English)
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)
Gideon furthers his message as a messenger of God defending the faith through his famous “water test.” (No we aren’t talking about 17th century Salem, Massachusetts!) With a small army, Gideon attacks Midian at night and confuses the enemy to win the conflict.

Links:

R'Menachem Leintag on "What's special about Gideon?"

R' Michael Hattin: 'Gideon leads the People'

Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer:

Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split

R'Yisrael Rozenson on Gidon's battle (Hebrew)

R' Yehuda Eisenberg on the battle of Gidon (Hebrew)

Audio of R’ Eric Levy:

Shoftim Ch. 6-8: A battle lost, a battle won

Shoftim Ch. 6-7: The Wet Wool Miracle and the Dream

Points to ponder:

Why message is sent when the Navi chooses to call Gideon “Yerubaal”?

Why are there too many people? Isn’t it good to have a large army to win a war?

Why does Gideon need a dream to give him confidence?

Shoftim Chapter 6- 30 Nissan, Alef de-Rosh Chodesh Iyyar (28 April)

2006-04-27T18:50:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 6 with Rashi (English)
(Prepared by Rivky Krestt)
Midian goes from being an ally (think: Yitro and Yael) to being enemy. Amalek joins in, as usual. When Bnei Yisrael cry out to God, He sends an(other) anonymous prophet to assure them that they will be saved.

The shofet highlighted in the next 3 chapters is Gideon. He is different from those that preceded him and he marks a transition in the sefer. Some notable differences to his predecessors: Gideon is clearly chosen by God and actively destroys places of idol worship. Gideon is also a messenger of the people and has many supporters.

Points to ponder:

How is the messenger similar/ different to the one that is sent in perek 2?
How is Gideon different from all the previous leaders?
How is he similar to the previous ones?
What is Gideon’s concerns? About himself? Vis a vis his role as the people’s leader?
Gideon brings an unusual offering. Why? What other prophets does this remind us of?

Links:
R’ Michael Hattin on Gidon part I and part II.
Audio of R’Yosef Gavriel Bechofer Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
Rav Amnon Bazak on parallels between Gidon and Midrashic accounts of Avraham
How was Gidon chosen is discussed by R'Yisrael Rozenson
a halakhic analysis of the korban offered by Gidon
Three audioclasses by R’ Eric Levy
Shoftim Ch. 6: Gidon - On Angels and Navis
Shoftim Ch. 6: Gidon's Strength
Shoftim Ch. 6: Gidon's Sign

Shoftim Chapter 5 - 29 Nissan- (Thursday April 27)

2006-04-24T09:49:00.000-04:00

Shoftim Chapter 5 with Rashi (English)

Shirat Devorah: The song is praising God and emphasizing his role beyond what happened. So far we have seen the cycle and we know that God is involved but we don’t know to what extent.

Points to Ponder on ה פרק :

Where else do we have a shir?

Why is something out of the ordinary here?

What is this shir telling us?

What are the two sections? (1-13 and 14-21)

What are the topics of the two sections

(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Links:
R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Shiras Devora, part I: Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
And Part II:
Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
Exploring the concept of Yael’s "Aveirah lishmah"
R'Yehuda Shaviv on the link between song and war (Hebrew)
Mrs. Leah Kohn on Yael and Yehudis Part I and Part II

Shoftim Chapter 4- Nissan 28 (Wednesday April 26)

2006-04-24T09:31:00.000-04:00

Shoftim Chapter 4 with Rashi (English)
Devorah tells Barak to wage war. Barak won’t go without her. Barak wages against Sisra who gets confused and runs to Hever HaKeini (with whom he has a treaty) to save him. Ya’el invites him in and kills him. Thus the war is won!
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Links:
The character of Devorah as Judge and Prophetess by Mrs.Leah Kohn Part I and Part II
R'Yehuda Eisenberg on Devora and Sisera
Audio of R’ Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Devorah: Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
R’Michael Hattin on Chapter 4 Part I and Part II
Listen to the perek as leined by R 'Jeremy Wieder

Shoftim chapter 3- 27 Nissan (Tuesday April 25)

2006-04-24T08:53:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 3 with Rashi (English)
Three shoftim – and the ensuing cycle – are highlighted in these perek:

Otniel is from shevet Yehuda. He is a transitional “shofet.” Fought with Aram Naharaim. This war is idiosyncratic – the tables are turned Aram comes down to fight them! First he judged Israel and then he went out to war. On one hand the sefer gives some details, on the other it combines the judging with the war.

Points to Ponder on Otniel:

Compare to Devarim 25:18 about the attack from

Why did Otniel judge before he went out to war?

Why is this story so short? To emphasize the start of the cycle?

How long did he rule

Ehud is from shevet Binyamin. The national nemesis was Eglon. Ehud took initiative! He was chosen to bring an offering and changed it to a rebellion himself.

Important Trivia:

Ehud appealed to Eglon’s belief in God!!!

Ehud was left handed

Ehud invented a double edged sword.

Eglon was fat

Shamgar.

Not much can be said about Shamgar, other than his length of rule. Anat – can be a male of female name.

Points to Ponder on פרק ג:

Are there any patterns emerging?
How long did each shofet rule?
Which shevet is each shofet from
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Links:
Audio of R’ Yosef Gavril Bechhofer on Eglon and Ehud: Real Stream/MP3 Download/MP3 Split
R'Michael Hattin on Ehud
An academic article with a new explanation for the name "ben Anas"
Games for teaching Sefer Shoftim and the story of Ehud, by Josh Skarf

Shoftim chapter 2 - 26 Nissan (Monday April 24)

2006-04-23T07:55:00.000-04:00

(prepared by Rivky Krestt)
This perek begins with a second (transitional) introduction to the sefer – completing the second section. A Malach appears to Israel to deliver the message that Israel receives before they settle the land: “Keep the Torah or you will be driven out of the land of Israel.”

Section two begins with the death of the original generation of settler, including Yehoshua. Bnei Yisrael are left without a designated ruler for the first time in their history. The infamous “cycle” is introduced at this point; how Bnei Yisrael dealt with the uncertainty that must have followed Yehoshua’s death.

The cycle is as follows:
An Enemy is sent => They cry out to God => A savior is sent => This person delivers them to a state of quiet and Bnei Yisrael live peacefully for a (variable) amount of time.

Links:
R' Menachem Leibtag on The Introduction and 'Cycle'
Identifying the mysterious Messenger of Hashem in our Perek (Hebrew)
R' Michael Hattin on chapter 2
Streaming audio of R' Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on Chapter 2

Points to Ponder:

Why are there two introductions – perek aleph and perek bet – to the sefer?

How do these introductions shape our conception of the era of Shoftim?

Why do you think the malach’s identity remains anonymous?

Why should Israel not make treaties with the nations around them?

Why is this the final message given to the people before they go settle their different portions of land?

Shoftim Chapter 1- 25 Nissan (Sunday April 23)

2006-04-22T22:39:00.000-04:00

Shoftim - Chapter 1 with Rashi (English)
Shoftim begins after the death of Yehoshua. Sefer Yehoshua ended on a high note; Yehoshua blesses the nation and the bones of Yosef are finally buried. In contrast to this, Shoftim begins by highlighting all that was not accomplished during Yehoshua’s time. A detailed list recounts all that shevet Yehuda conqered: “horish” and all that the rest of the tribes had not conquered: “lo horish.”

Points to Ponder at the Beginning of Perek Aleph:

What message is the navi trying to emphasize by starting this way?

What do we learn about the relationship between the shevatim at the outset of the book?

Why is Yehuda’s successful campaign highlighted so blatantly? How does this tie into the overall themes of Sefer Shoftim?

There are three sections to Sefer Shoftim:
1:1-2:5
2:6- 16
16 – 21
(prepared by Rivky Krestt)

Links:
Streaming audio of R' Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer on the failure to conquer

R'Michael Hattin on Shoftim chapter 1-part 1
R' Michael Hattin part 2

Some words from our sponsor, and resources for Sefer Shoftim

2006-04-21T12:29:00.000-04:00

We hope that you have found the learning of Yehoshua meaningful!
We would like to encourage everyone to use the comments on the blog to help stimulate discussion.
Also, we are trying to figure out how many people are doing Nach Yomi. Please leave us a comment if you are still with us, and what you would like to see on the site.

This Sunday begins our study of Sefer Shoftim
Here are some general resources:

Liner translation of Sefer Yehoshua

Text ofYalkut Shimoni on Sefer Shoftim(Hebrew)

Mussar ha-Neviim (aTorah Temima style commentary on Neviim Rishonim)

Bigdei Shesh on Shoftim (Hebrew) – complete text of a machshava based Sefer on Shoftim, particularly influenced by R’ Tzadok, by Rav Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer (If you use this extensively, you are asked to make a donation the Aishdas society). This is Davkawriter format. To download a free DavkaViewer go here.

Audio classes on Shoftim by Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer
Index of Talmudic Sources on Shoftim

Introduction to Sefer Shoftim by R 'Menachem Leibtag

A general introduction to Shoftim by R'Yehuda Eisenberg (Hebrew)

And just a review of the Shoftim schedule:

April 23: Shoftim 1April 24: Shoftim 2April 25: Shoftim 3April 26: Shoftim 4April 27: Shoftim 5April 28: Shoftim 6 (Rosh Chodesh Iyyar)April 29: Shoftim 7 (Shabbos/Rosh Chodesh Iyyar)April 30: Shoftim 8May 1: Shoftim 9May 2: Shoftim 10May 3: Shoftim 11 (Yom haAtzmaut)May 4: Shoftim 12May 5: Shoftim 13May 6: Shoftim 14 (Shabbos)May 7: Shoftim 15May 8: Shoftim 16May 9: Shoftim 17May 10: Shoftim 18May 11: Shoftim 19May 12: Shoftim 20 (Pesach Sheni)May 13: Shoftim 21 (Shabbos)

Yehoshua Chapter 24- Nissan 24- (Shabbos April 22)

2006-04-21T11:10:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 24 with Rashi (English)

Yehoshua assembles the nation in Shechem, and recounts Jewish history, beginning with Hashem choosing Avraham and bringing him into Eretz Canaan, and continuing through slavery in Egypt, the exodus, the splitting of the Red Sea, the battles on the East Bank, the struggle with Balak and the conquest of Canaan. He then challenges them to accept Hashem as their God and to reject idolatry. The nation pledges their faith to Hashem, and Yehoshua makes a new covenant with them. In an intriguing passage, we are told that he gives them “chok u-mishpat” (24:25) , writes this down ”in the book of the Torah of Elokim,” (see Abravanel for a number of options) and erects a great stone under the alah (see Rashi for two opinions).
Yehoshua dies, and is buried in Timnas Serach, and we are told that Bnei Yisrael were loyal to the Torah during the entire time of the elders. We are told that Yosef’s bones were buried in Shechem, and that Elazar the Kohen Gadol dies and was buried in Givas Pinchas in Har Efrayim .
Hadran alach Sefer Yehoshua!

Yehoshua Chapter 23- 21 Nissan Isru Chag-- ( Friday April 21)

2006-04-21T08:43:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 23 with Rashi (English)

As Yehoshua grows old, he addresses the leadership of Bnei Yisrael.
He reiterates the wonders Hashem has done for them in the conquest of Eretz Yisrael, and the need to be faithful to the Torah as a prerequisite for a full completion of the conquest and settling.

Analysis of Yehoshua's final addresses by R" Menachem Leibtag

Yehoshua Chapter 22- 22 Nissan Acharon shel PEsach/Isru Chag (Thrusday April 20)

2006-04-21T08:11:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua Chapter 22 with Rashi (English)

The Tribes of Reuven, Gad and part of Menashe are charged by Yehoshua to take their land on the East Bank, as they had fulfilled their part of the agreement made with Moshe to join Bnei Yisrael in the conquest of the Land, but to be careful to be faithful to the Torah.He blessed them and they departed.
Word filters back to Bnei Yisrael that the eastern tribes had constructed a mizbeach, which caused consternation. Pinchas was sent with a delegation of nesi’im (princes) to rebuke them . The Eastern tribes respons that the latar was not designed for sacrifice, but as a monument designed to serve as a reminder of the ongoing relationship between the Eastern and Western tribes., which pacifies the delegation and averts the threat of civil war.

Links:

R' Menachem Leibtag on the Mizbayach of Bnei Gad and Reuven
R' Yehuda Eisenberg on the Mizbeach on the East Bank (Hebrew)

Yehoshua Chapter 21- 21 Nissan --Shevi'i shel Pesach (Wednesday April 18)

2006-04-16T22:02:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua chapter 21 and Rashi (English)

The heads of the Leviim approach Yehoshua, Elazar and the tribal leaders and ask for the cities promised to them by Moshe. The apportioning of these cities follows.
The chapter concludes by affirming that Hashem made good on all his promises to Israel regarding the conquest.

R' Menachem Leibtag on the role of Levi in Eretz Yisrael
Were the cities of the Leviim walled?
Map of the distribution of the Arei haLeviim among the tribes (Hebrew)

Yehoshua Chapter 20- 20 Nissan --Chol haMoed Pesach (Tuesday April 18)

2006-04-16T21:55:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua chapter 20 and Rashi (English)
Yehoshua designates six cities—Kedesh in the Galil, Shechem in Efrayim, Kiryat Arba/Chevron in Yehuda, and on the East Bank, Betzer, Ramot and Golan—as Arei Miklat (cities of refuge.)

Why are there an equal number of Arei Miklat on the East Bank of the Jordan?
Map of the Arei Miklat (Hebrew)

Yehoshua Chapter 19- 19 Nissan --Chol haMoed Pesach (Monday April 17)

2006-04-16T14:52:00.000-04:00

Text of Yehoshua 19 with Rashi (English)

The territories of Shimon, Zevulun, Yissachar, Asher, Naftali, and Dan are described.
Yehoshua is given the city of Timnas Serach as his personal inheritance.

R' Menachem Leibtag on the blessings Moshe gave to tribes, and how they relate to their territories in Eretz Yisrael
Nechama Leibowitz zt'l on the blessing of Yissachar (including its connection to his territory)

Yehoshua Chapter 18- 18 Nissan --Chol haMoed Pesach (Sunday April 16)

2006-04-16T14:29:00.000-04:00

Text of Yehoshua 18 with Rashi (English)

The Mishkan (tabernacle) is set up in Shilo. The remaining seven tribes come to Yehoshua, who criticizes them for not having been more active in the settling of their territory. The land is divided by lot.
The territory of Binyamin is detailed.

R' Menachem Leibtag, pointing out amazing siginificance under the semingly mundane description of the territory of Binyamin.
The significance of Shilo (Hebrew)
What is the halakhic nature of the sanctity of Shilo?
Artist's rendering of Mishkan Shilo. Note the stone walls and cloth hangings.

Note: Today is the yahrtzeit of the Rav zt'l, zechuso yagen aleinu.

Yehoshua Chapter 17- 17 Nissan Shabbos Chol haMoed (15 April)

2006-04-11T12:37:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 17 with Rashi (English)

The inheritance of the tribe of Menashe is described. The daughters of Tzelofchad approach Yehoshua and Elazar the Kohen Gadol and ask for the land promised them in the Torah.
As the tribes of Yosef are large, they feel confined in their territory, and Yehoshua suggests that they expand into the forested areas.

(Ironically, the Zionist enterprise is served here by de-forestation! Did Ephraimite Bar Mitzvah boys get certificates that a tree had been cut down in their honor? (
Also, American readers will note the appropriateness of the word le-mas in 17:13 today!)

Links:
R' Alex Israel on the process of Nachala and the request for more land
R' Yaakov Medan on the prominence of the tribes of Yehudah and Yosef in the descriptions of the inheritances

Yehoshua Chapter 16- Second day of Pesach, 16 Nissan (Erev Shabbos, April 14)

2006-04-11T12:20:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 16 with Rashi (English)

The territory of the tribe of Efrayim is identified.

Links
"Conquest of Har Efrayim" (Hebrew)

Yehoshua Chapter 15- Pesach, 15 Nissan (Thursday April 13)

2006-04-11T09:51:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 15

We are told in great detail of the borders and cities allotted to the tribe of Yehuda (Judah).
Kalev conquers Chevron, and promises his daughter Achsa to whoever is able to conquer the city of Kiryas Sefer. He is taken up on this challenge by his brother Osniel, who then marries Achsa. In a somehwat obscuse story, Achas asks Kalev to give her springs of water, which he does.
The people of Yehuda were unable to conquer the city of Jerusalem, which remained in Jebusite hands.

Yehoshua Chapter 14- Erev Pesach, 14 Nissan (Wednesday April 12)

2006-04-10T21:29:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 14- English text with Rashi

Eretz Yisrael west of the Jordan is divided among the remaining tribes by lots, administered by Yehoshua and Elazar the Kohen Gadol (HIgh Priest.)
Kalev approaches Yehoshua and asks for his portion of land, as a reward for his faithfulness as a meragel (spy) for Moshe, who had promised him the land that he had stood on. Yehoshua gives him the city of Chevron.

links:
R' Yaakov Bieler on Kalev (including his connection to Chevron)

Yehoshua Chapter 13- 13 Nissan (Tuesday April11)

2006-04-10T10:43:00.000-04:00

Yehoshua - Chapter 13- English text with Rashi

Yehoshua grows old, and is told by Hashem that the conquest of Eretz Yisrael is incomplete.
We are told in great detail of the apportionment of the East Bank of the Jordan to the tribes of Reuven, Gad and Menashe.

Links (These links are relevant for the next week’s chapters, which are fairly technical)

Text (in English) of Tevuot HaAretz by R' Yosef Schwartz, a 19th century book which deals with the borders of Eretz Yisrael

R' Menachem Leibtag on Chapters 13-19: The Nachala