Shmuel's sons
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Give us a King I
Chapter 8 (Part I)
Rabbi Amnon BazakChapter 8 describes one of the most dramatic events in the bible: the nation's request for a king. Despite the fact that the laws of the king are discussed in the Torah, God and Shmuel are both negative about the request. This lesson will analyze the reason for the negative reactions to the nation's request, and discuss whether monarchy is positive or negative.
Give us a King II
Chapter 8 (Part II)
Rabbi Amnon BazakAfter the nation requested a king, Shmuel is sent to explain the dangers of monarchy. Shmuel's outlook on the future of the nation is grim. Does his description express a legitimate reality? What does Shmuel wish to achieve with this description? Which rhetorical elements does he use to get his point across?
The Sins of Biblical Figures
Part 2
Rabbi Amnon BazakTwo fundamental approaches exist regarding three incidents involving Avraham: one maintains that the plain reading of the text suggests that the acts in question were wrong – perhaps even serious sins – and are recorded with a view to instructing the readers how not to behave. The other view seeks to cast their actions in a positive light and regards them as a model for emulation.
Those who seek a favorable interpretation of all questionable actions of biblical characters rely, as one of their central sources, on a well-known discussion in Massekhet Shabbat (55b-56b) which lists six figures who seem, according to the plain text, to have committed various transgressions – some of them extremely serious ones. In each case, Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani teaches, in the name of Rabbi Yonatan, that "anyone who says that so-and-so sinned, is simply mistaken."
I Shmuel 7-8
Matan Al Haperek
Matan Al HaPerek - Neta ShapiraUnder Shmuel’s leadership, the nation triumphs over the Philistines, and a sense of normalcy is restored. However, Shmuel’s sons do not follow in his ways, leading to even stronger demands for a monarchy.