Probing the Prophets

BY RABBI NACHMAN (NEIL) WINKLER PROBING Faculty, OU Israel Centerl THE PROPHETS he story of Israel’s first king command. The harsh words issued to occupies the bulk of Sefer Shmuel him by Shmuel and Hashem’s decision TA, stretching from his anointment to remove the ruling power from him in the ninth perek until his death during and his descendants are the things that the battle against the Plishtim, in the remain in our memories. And of course, thirty-first perek, the final chapter. the haftarah of Machar Chodesh which Interestingly, throughout the year, we tells of David’s need to escape the wrath only read three episodes from these of an unstable Sha’ul certainly doesn’t chapters: this week’s story of Saul’s leave us with positive feelings toward the (third) anointing (perek 11-12), the story man that Chazal speak of as a “tsaddik”. of Saul’s war against Amalek (perek So let us review some of what we do not 15) read on Parashat Zachor, and the read on Shabbat in order to get a more haftarah of “Machar Chodeh” (perek 20), favorable-and just-opinion of Sha’ul. which is read when Rosh Chodesh occurs on Sunday. After over 300 years with no single national leader, the nation accepts In a certain way, the fact that only a G-d’s chosen candidate and, as a result, few selections touching upon the life Sha’ul steps into a post last occupied Sha’ul are read, is quite unfortunate. For by Yehoshua. The tribal leaders who the bulk of our communities who are succeeded in removing the threats most familiar with the navi text from from foreign powers were just that- the haftarah readings, the impression TRIBAL leaders. The nation had not yet we receive about Israel’s first king from been united enough to choose a King. these three selections, is hardly positive. Indeed, the Torah speaks of the mitzvah This week’s haftarah mentions Sha’ul’s to appoint a king as a response to the consecration in the very first three verses request of the people (D’varim 17; 14- of the reading while the remaining 22 (!) 15). And up until then-the people made psukim relate Shmuel’s warnings to the no such request. A naturally humble people to remain faithful to Hashem. We man, Sha’ul nonetheless steps up to his learn almost nothing about Sha’ul in this position by successfully demanding that reading. able-bodied men join him in defending The episode of Sha’ul’s was against the Israelite town of Yavesh Gil’ad from Amalek focuses primarily on the King’s the threat of Ammon. His victory against failure to properly carry out G-d’s the enemy was a result of his ability to 24 TORAH TIDBITS / KORACH 5780 BY RABBI NACHMAN (NEIL) WINKLER gather 330,000 fighters from a people Faculty, OU Israel Centerl that had not united in battle for hundreds of years! And, by doing so, Sha’ul raised Israel’s first standing army since the time of Yehoshua. A standing army that could New projects 3,4, 5 rooms at great prices! now repel enemy threats. Call today: Eta: 054-723-3863 Sha’ul, with untried and weaponless Baka army, courageously faces a far more 100 sqm apartment in new project, 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, high ceilings, terrace (partial sukka) powerful Philistine force and, through shabbat elevator and parking. 4,250,000 NIS. Hashem’s help, defeats them. He wars Garden Apartment in an historic building. 300 sqm against the Moav, Ammon, Edom, Tzovah built space with 375 sqm garden. 12,500,000 NIS. and the Plishtim-and defeats them. The Duplex penthouse with elevator, two sukka terraces. text puts it succinctly: “U’v’chol asher 160 sqm brand new. Fantastic deal. 4,550,000 NIS!!! yifneh-yarshi’a”, “Wherever he turned- Old Katamon 130 sqm beautiful duplex apartment with high he inspired terror.” ceilings, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 20 sqm sukka terrace, elevator and parking. 5,500,000 NIS Sha’ul’s life turned around after his 115 sqm, new apartment, with 50 sqm registered failure to follow G-d’s clear command garden. Ready to move in. 4,300,000 NIS to destroy everything that belonged to Talbiya Amalek. But we should not ignore the fact King David Crown apartment for sale. 24/7 that he did wage a war, endangering his doorman. 145 sqm on one oor , facing garden, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, terrace, parking, Shabbat life, in order to fulfill Hashem’s directive. elevator and storage. USD 1,800,000. The last half of the Sha’ul story is really German Colony the David story. And it surely is, for the 100 sqm apartment in a new project to be ready in 2 years. 50 sqm registered garden, parking. of Sha’ul would be the mirror image of 4,500,000 NIS. those of David. As Hashem withdrew his 2nd oor in small luxury building. 160 sqm on one spirit from Saul in favor of David, David’s oor, parking, shabbat elevator, views, lots of light. successes and popularity grew at the Price on request. expense of Sha’ul. The “ru’ach ra’ah”, the City Center King George, amazing beautifully renovated and melancholy spirit, or, perhaps, the manic ready to move in, 116 sqm 5 room apartment, 4 depression that took hold of the first king bedrooms & 2 full bathrooms, 2 elevators (one shabbat), small terrace. Modern kosher kitchen, of Israel in his later years prevents us large living room/dining room. 3,600,000 NIS. from judging or criticizing his behavior. North Talpiot/Caspi And yet, he died on the battlefield, Rehov Caspi, view of the old city, 5th oor, 191 sqm defending his people. That is known as brand new apartment, 30 sqm sukka terrace, dying-“al Kiddush Hashem.” Shabbat elevator. 9,500,000 NIS. And, if nothing else, that alone would 054-723-3863 explain why the Rabbis call him “Sha’ul Eta Morris Realty, Ltd. [email protected] HaTzaddik.” Tel: 054-723-3863 · etamorrisrealty.co.il OU ISRAEL CENTER 25.

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