Shemuel I Perek 18

Shemuel I Perek 18 -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 17

Shemuel I Perek 17 -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 16

Shemuel I Perek 16-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 15

Shemuel I Perek 15-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Now that the nation had settled the land and appointed a king, G-d sent word through Shemuel that it was time to fulfill the obligation of eradicating the nation of Amalek, who attacked Israel after they left Egypt. G-d commanded to destroy the entire nation of Amalek, including the livestock. Shaul sent word to the Keni, descendants of Yitro (Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses) who lived in Amaleki territory, that they should evacuate, after which time Shaul attacked. They destroyed the Amaleki city, but they captured Agag, king of Amalek, and kept the best livestock to use for sacrifices to G-d. G-d was displeased and he sent Shemuel to Shaul. Shaul beamed that he had fulfilled G-d’s command. Shemuel then asked, “So then what are all these cattle and sheep doing here?” Shaul replied that they were intended as sacrifices. (Agag would be publicly executed.) “G-d told you to kill all the livestock,” Shaul countered. “Do you think He wants sacrifices or do you think He wants you to listen to what He tells you?” Since Shaul

rejected G-d’s word, Shemuel said, G-d has rejected Shaul as king. (Yes, he already cost himself the kingdom in chapter 13, but there he cost himself a lasting dynasty. Here he cost himself the throne altogether.)

Shaul admitted that he had sinned, but he tried to explain his actions. Shemuel was having none of it. He turned to leave and Shaul grabbed the hem of Shemuel’s garment, which tore. Shemuel told him that this symbolized how Hashem has torn the kingdom from Shaul.

Shemuel personally executed Agag. Unfortunately, in the time between his capture and execution, Agag had a conjugal visit and was able to continue the Amaleki bloodline.

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Shemuel I Perek 14

Shemuel I Perek 14-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

On his own initiative, Shaul’s son Yonatan took his armor-bearer and went to spy out the Pelishti camp. Nobody knew that they had gone. Yonatan knew that, when they saw Pelishtim, if the enemy said “Halt – we’ll come to you” that they were strong and confident, but if they said, “Hey, come here,” then they were afraid of an ambush and that G-d would allow the Jews to defeat them. They approached the Pelishti camp and the guards saw them. They said, “Hey, come here! We want to tell you something!” Yonatan knew from the sign that G-d would deliver the Pelishti army into the Jews’ hands, no matter how unevenly matched they appeared to be. Yonatan and his armor-bearer then ran through the camp, routing the Pelishti army, whom G-d had struck with fear. Shaul’s army saw the Pelishti camp panicking and running amok. Clearly, something was up. They looked to see who was missing and realized that it was Yonatan and his attendant. Meanwhile, the crazed Pelishtim were wiping each other out in their panic and the Jews who had gone into hiding returned to fight.

In order to keep the people focused on the task at hand, Shaul decreed a fast. On pain of death, no man was to eat until nightfall. The battle raged into the forest where honey was dripping, but nobody tasted it because of Shaul’s oath. Yonatan, however, hadn’t been with the rest of the army at the time, so he didn’t know about the oath. He ate some honey, which reinvigorated him. One of the other soldiers told him about his father’s oath, with which Yonatan disagreed.

The Jews defeated the Pelishtim – clearly with G-d’s help. They settled down to eat, but they ate “on the blood.” The exact meaning of “on the blood” is unclear. It does NOT appear that they ate the blood itself (which is a very serious sin). More likely, they ate the meat of the sacrifices before the blood was sprinkled on the altar (commentators differ). Shaul saw this and put a stop to it. He set up an altar for the sprinkling of blood to obviate the problem.

Shaul then had the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) consult G-d via the Urim and Tumim as to whether or not they should pursue the remaining Pelishtim. G-d did not reply, which had never happened before. Shaul knew from this that there was still a sin hanging over the heads of the nation and he was determined to find out what it was. He said, “No matter who it is, even my own son Yonatan, shall die.”

Shaul was able to determine that it was, in fact, Yonatan. He asked his son what he had done and Yonatan told him that he violated his father’s oath of a fast. Shaul was prepared to carry out his word, But the people rallied to Yonatan’s defense, as the victory had been brought about through his actions. Because the people stood up for him, Yonatan was spared.

Shaul broke off pursuit of the Pelishtim, who retreated to their territory. Shaul strengthened his army and consolidated his rule. He fought against the nation’s enemies on all sides.

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Shemuel I Perek 13

Shemuel I Perek 13-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Shaul selected 3,000 troops for his standing army and sent the rest of the people home. Shaul’s son Yonatan, looking to provoke a battle with the Pelishtim, assassinated a Pelishti commander. Saul gathered his army in Gilgal, while the Pelishtim mounted their forces. The people of Israel were massively intimidated by the size of the Pelishti army, with 30,000 chariots and endless foot soldiers. Many of the Jews hid in caves, pits and towers. Some even ran to Trans-Jordan. Shaul was instructed by Shemuel to wait seven days for him. When Shemuel didn’t arrive, people started to desert. Shaul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice to G-d. As he was finishing, Shemuel arrived. Shemuel became angry because Shaul had “jumped the gun.” Shaul had what he felt was the best of reasons, but he didn’t follow the instructions of G-d’s prophet. This was the first step in Shaul losing the kingship. Shemuel informed Shaul that G-d had chosen another to succeed him as king, then he departed. Shaul counted what remained of his army and it was only 600 men. Furthermore, the Pelishtim had kept the Jews from employing blacksmiths, so the army of Israel had no swords or spears. (They had to go to Pelishti blacksmiths to sharpen their farm tools.) So things looked pretty bleak, but appearances can be deceiving.

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Shemuel I Perek 12

Shemuel I Perek 12-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Now that Shaul had been crowned king, Shemuel was ready to withdraw from his role as Judge. (He would still serve as prophet, but he was no longer the head of the government or the military.) Shemuel asked if anyone had any complaints against him; nobody did. Shemuel then reminded the people that it was G-d Who sent Moses and Aaron, and Who saved them from Egypt. But when the nation forgets G-d, He allows foreign powers like Sisera and the Pelishtim to oppress them. However, when the people return to G-d, He sends redemption through great leaders. Here Shemuel named the lesser Judges: Gideon, Samson and Yiftah. However, Shemuel still maintained that the people erred in demanding a king to lead them, rather than Hashem Himself. The fact that G-d had granted their request was no proof that it was necessarily a good thing, as Shemuel would proceed to demonstrate. It was summer, when it doesn’t rain in Israel, and the wheat was standing in the fields. Shemuel called out to Hashem and a heavy thunderstorm rained down. The people were afraid that they had sinned by asking for a king and they asked Shemuel to pray for them. He told them not to worry, just to continue by listening to the Word of Hashem. If they follow Hashem, they will be His people. If they stray, both they and the king they requested are done for.

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Shemuel I Perek 11

Shemuel I Perek 11-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Nahash, ruler of Ammon, attacked the city of Yavesh. They asked for a pact, in which case they would agree to serve him. He said, “One one condition – each of you must put out his right eye.” The people of Yavesh asked for a week’s time. They then sent messengers to get help. 

When the people heard of the attack, they wept. Shaul came in from plowing his field and asked what the commotion was. When he heard what occurred, he took charge. He cut two oxen into pieces and had them sent throughout the land, saying that’s what would be done to the oxen of anyone who doesn’t join the fight. 

330,000 troops gathered and they sent word to Yavesh that they would be saved by the next afternoon. The people of Yavesh told Nahash, “We’re coming to you tomorrow.” Nahash took that to mean they would surrender the next day, so he was unprepared for attack. 

Shaul divided his forces into three companies, which entered the Ammonite camp at dawn. They routed the Ammonites and the few survivors scattered. The Jews were so inspired by Shaul’s leadership that they wanted to execute those who had bad-mouthed Shaul for their treasonous slander. Shaul refused to have anybody executed on a day on which Hashem had wrought such a victory. Instead, they retired to Gilgal, where they crowned Shaul again, this time unanimously. They offered sacrifices to Hashem and rejoiced there.

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Shemuel I Perek 10

Shemuel I Perek 10-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Shemuel anointed Shaul with oil – the commentators differ as to whether this was the shemen hamishha, the special oil prepared by Moses, which was used to anoint the kings of the Davidic dynasty. Then, Shemuel gave Shaul three signs. First, he would meet two men who would tell him that his lost donkeys were found, and that his father was now looking for him. Next, Shaul would meet three men, bringing kids, loaves of bread and a jug of wine for sacrifices. He was to take the bread that would be offered him. Finally, he would meet a band of prophets and would, himself, be overcome by a spirit of prophecy and become “a different person.” After all these signs came to pass, Shaul was to go to Gilgal, where he would be joined by Shemuel, who would offer sacrifices. 

All of these things came to pass. When Shaul was prophesying with the prophets, he was seen. The sight amazed the people who coined an expression, “Saul is one of the prophets now?” 

Shaul returned home and was met by his uncle. He told his uncle that Shemuel told him the donkeys had been found, but he didn’t say anything about being made king. 

Shemuel called a gathering at Mispah, where he announced that he was going to publicly anoint the king they had demanded. He drew lots Tribe by Tribe, family by family, until he came to Shaul, son of Kish. But when they called his name, the modest Shaul was hiding among the luggage. The people were impressed by the tall, handsome Shaul and proclaimed him their king. Shemuel repeated all the laws of the King, then sent them home. Some lowly people denigrated Shaul, saying he was unfit. He heard, but he let his natural humility win out.

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Shemuel I Perek 9

Shemuel I Perek 9-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

A man from the Tribe of Binyamin named Kish had a tall, handsome son named Shaul (Saul). One day, Kish’s donkeys went missing, so he sent Shaul and a servant to go look for them. Shaul traveled far and wide, but he didn’t find the donkeys. After a while, Shaul suggested that they return home, as by this point his father would probably be more worried about the search party than about the animals. The attendant pointed out that they were not far from Shemuel’s residence in Tzuf and suggested they go to him for guidance. They got directions from some locals, They informed Shaul that Shemuel was presiding over a sacrifice and directed him to the location of the altar. (At this point, subsequent to the destruction of the Tabernacle and prior to the construction of the Temple, private altars were permitted.) The day before, G-d had spoken to Shemuel, telling him that Shaul would arrive and that he would be the man Shemuel should annoint king of Israel. Shaul arrived and asked for Shemuel. Shemuel identified himself and told him not to worry about the donkeys, as they had been found. As an aside he added, “Why are you so worried about some donkeys when the entire wealth of the nation lies before you?” This comment was confusing to Shaul, who considered himself a member of a minor family from the smallest Tribe. Shemuel then gave Shaul a seat at the head of his table and had Shaul served a portion of great honor. (The portion had been set aside for Shaul, as G-d had told Shemuel to expect him.) Shaul stayed overnight and the next morning, Shemuel gave him instructions from G-d.

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Shemuel I Perek 8

Shemuel I Perek 8-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Having grown old, Shemuel appointed his sons to assist him. They turned out to be unfit for the job; they took bribes and judged dishonestly. The Elders approached Shemuel and said that since he was getting too feeble to handle the task, and since his sons were unfit successors, he should appoint a king. G-d told Shemuel not to take it personally; the people were not rejecting Shemuel’s leadership, but G-d’s. 

Shemuel didn’t like the Jews’ request and tried to discourage them by relating all the powers a king would exercise, including taxation and confiscation of property. But the people would not be swayed and G-d told Shemuel to do as they asked.

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Shemuel I Perek 7

Shemuel I Perek 7-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
The people of Kiryat Ye’arim took the Ark and put it in the house of a man named Abinadav, where it would reside for twenty years. Shemuel then presided over a national teshubah movement. The Jews discarded their idols and turned to G-d. 

At a national gathering in Mitzpah, the Pelishtim attacked the nation. The people cried out to Shemuel to pray for them. He did and G-d sent thunderous noises that so discombobulated the Pelishtim that they were easily defeated. Shemuel established a monument to the event and called it “eben-ezer,” meaning “the rock where G-d helped us.” 

After this, the Pelishti threat subsided and they remained in the background for the duration of Shemuel’s tenure as a Judge. Shemuel was an exceptional Judge, traveling the country to go to the people, rather than expecting them to come to him. Unfortunately, the rigors of his self-imposed routine made him old before his time.

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Shemuel I Perek 6

Shemuel I Perek 6-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
The Pelishtim asked their priests what to do about the fiasco with the Ark. They didn’t say to send it back, but they did say, IF they were going to send the Ark back, a gift should be included to appease G-d. The gift was five golden hemorrhoids and five golden mice, to represent the plague and mice which were destroying the Pelishti land. (The mice were not mentioned previously. Some commentators say that the mice would chew on the people’s hemorrhoids or enter the people’s bowels – see Rashi on 5:5 and Radak on 6:4.) The Ark and the golden statuettes were placed on a new wagon that was hitched to two nursing cows. The Pelishtim sent representatives to follow the wagon to Bet Shemesh in Israelite territory. The cows went straight there. 

When the Jews saw the wagon with the Ark approaching, there was great rejoicing. They chopped up the wagon for firewood and offered the cows as a sacrifice to G-d. But some of the people disrespectfully looked into the Ark and were killed by G-d. The people of Bet Shemesh became too scared to host the Ark, so they asked the people of Kiryat Ye’arim if they would come and take it.

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Shemuel I Perek 5

Shemuel I Perek 5-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Having captured the Ark from the Jews, the Pelishtim took it to the city of Ashdod and put it in the house of their idol, Dagon. The next day, however, the Pelishtim found the idol of Dagon face down on the floor. They righted it, but the next day it was again fallen, only this time its head and hands were severed. The Pelishtim sanctified the place where the idol had fallen. 

Seeing that the Pelishtim were a stubborn lot and just not getting the message, G-d sent the people of Ashdod a message that was harder to miss. He struck the entire city and its suburbs with hemorrhoids, a painful and embarrassing condition. The people of Ashdod responded by forwarding the Ark to the city of Gath. G-d struck Gath with even worse hemorrhoids, so they sent it to Ekron. The people in Ekron stared to die as a result of the affliction, so the Pelishti rulers gathered together to plan a course of action. They decided that it might be a better idea to get rid of the Ark altogether.

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Shemuel I Perek 4

Shemuel I Perek 4-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Israel went to war against the Pelishtim. The Jews lost the battle, so they brought the Ark out to the battlefield. The Pelishti forces became scared that G-d Himself had joined the fray, but their leaders encouraged them to be brave. 

The Pelishtim won this battle, too. Eli’s sons, Hofni and Pinhas, were both killed (on the same day, as per the prophecy), and the Ark was captured. 

A Benjaminite (possibly Saul) carried word to Eli of the battle’s outcome. He tried to break it to him slowly, but the news of his sons’ death and the Ark’s capture was too much for him; he fell off his chair, broke his neck and died. 

Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Pinchas, was pregnant. When she heard all these things, she went into labor. She had a son and called him “Echebod,” meaning “there is no more honor” because of all the calamities that had occurred. She died as a result of her difficult labor.

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Shemuel I Perek 3

Shemuel I Perek 3-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
One night, G-d called to Shemuel. Shemuel wasn’t training to be a prophet, so he didn’t know what he was hearing. He assumed it was Eli calling him. Eli said, “I didn’t call you” and sent Shemuel back to bed. G-d called a second time; once again, Shemuel ran to Eli, who again dismissed him. The third time this happened, Eli realized what was going on and he instructed Shemuel how to answer. 

G-d told Shemuel that He was going to fulfill the curse against Eli’s family. Shemuel was hesitant to tell this to Eli, but Eli said, “So may G-d do to you if you withhold any detail from me,” so Shemuel felt compelled to tell him all. To his credit, Eli accepted G-d’s judgment as just. Meanwhile, Shemuel acquired his reputation as a prophet.

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Shemuel I Perek 2 Part 2

Shemuel I Perek 2 Part 2-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
When Hannah brought Shemuel to the Tabernacle, she sang a song of praise to Hashem that is full of prophetic meaning. As with Deborah’s song in Judges, there’s no way a synopsis can do it justice, so make sure you read it for yourself. 

Shemuel remained with Eli in the Tabernacle, to be trained in the service of Hashem. Eli was assisted by his two sons, Hofni and Pinhas. Hofni and Pinhas are described by the Navi as “lawless” because they abused their authority. They used force and intimidation to take portions of sacrifices beyond those to which they were entitled. Eli got wind of the people’s complaints against his sons and chastised them, but it was too little, too late. They kept on with their evil behavior, but as they were declining, Shemuel’s star was rising. 

G-d sent a prophet to Eli with a dire message. Because of his sons’ behavior, the hereditary position of High Priest would be removed from Eli (a descendant of Aaron’s son Itamar) and given to another branch of Aaron’s descendants. Furthermore, none of Eli’s descendants would live to see old age. The sign G-d gave was that Hofni and Pinhas would die on the same day.

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Shemuel I Perek 2 Part 1

Shemuel I Perek 2-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
When Hannah brought Shemuel to the Tabernacle, she sang a song of praise to Hashem that is full of prophetic meaning. As with Deborah’s song in Judges, there’s no way a synopsis can do it justice, so make sure you read it for yourself. 

Shemuel remained with Eli in the Tabernacle, to be trained in the service of Hashem. Eli was assisted by his two sons, Hofni and Pinhas. Hofni and Pinhas are described by the Navi as “lawless” because they abused their authority. They used force and intimidation to take portions of sacrifices beyond those to which they were entitled. Eli got wind of the people’s complaints against his sons and chastised them, but it was too little, too late. They kept on with their evil behavior, but as they were declining, Shemuel’s star was rising. 

G-d sent a prophet to Eli with a dire message. Because of his sons’ behavior, the hereditary position of High Priest would be removed from Eli (a descendant of Aaron’s son Itamar) and given to another branch of Aaron’s descendants. Furthermore, none of Eli’s descendants would live to see old age. The sign G-d gave was that Hofni and Pinhas would die on the same day.

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Shemuel I Perek 1

Shemuel I Perek 1-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
There was a man named Elkanah, who was Levite from Mt. Ephraim. Elkanah had two wives; Hannah had no children, but Penina did. When Elkanah would bring a sacrifice, he would always give Hannah an extra portion, but it was small consolation. Peninah would make snide comments that only made Hannah feel worse. 

Hannah was at the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in Shiloh and she prayed to Hashem from the pain in her soul. She said that if Hashem gave her a son, he would be dedicated to Hashem all his life as a Nazir. Eli, the Kohen Gadol saw Hannah praying. She was crying and moving her lips, but not making any sounds, so he thought she was drunk. Hannah disabused him of this notion, so he blessed her that G-d should grant her prayer. 

Soon after, Hannah conceived and had a son, whom they named Shemuel, meaning “requested from G-d.” When the child was weaned, she brought him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh and reminded Eli of what had transpired, as well as that the child was dedicated to the service of G-d.

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Shemuel I Intro

Shemuel I Introduction -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem

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Shofetim Perek 21

Shofetim Perek 21-
Sefer Shofetim is taught by Rabbi Joey Mizrachi
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Because of the atrocity committed in Giv'ah, the other Tribes had sworn at the meeting in Mispah not to give their daughters as wives to the Tribe of Benjamin. Now they had a problem: the entire Tribe had been wiped out except for the 600 refugees! What could be done? They couldn’t violate their oath, but they also could not allow a Tribe to become extinct. What to do?First, they determined that nobody had come to the meeting from the town of Yavesh-Gilad. Therefore, nobody from Yavesh-Gilad was bound by the oath. They struck down the population of Yavesh-Gilad, since attendance at the national assembly was mandatory on pain of death. They kept alive 400 marriageable girls for wives for Benjaminite refugees. But this left 200 Benjaminite refugees without wives. How could they renew the Tribe without the other Tribes violating their oath? It was decided that the 200 remaining Benjaminites would go to the yearly festival in Shiloh. When the local girls went out to dance, each man would catch himself a wife. This would be done with the girl’s consent, but not the parents’, so there would be no violation of their oath not to give their daughters to the Tribe of Benjamin. The Book of Judges ends by restating that there was no King in those days.

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Shofetim Perek 20

Shofetim Perek 20-
Sefer Shofetim is taught by Rabbi Joey Mizrachi
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Every Tribe sent representatives to the national meeting at Mispah. The Levi man told his story and the nation demanded an explanation from the Tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin refused to yield to national authority, insisting that they would deal with the situation as an internal matter. This was unacceptable to the rest of the Tribes, who declared war on Benjamin. Benjamin’s army was 26,700. The rest of the nation had assembled an army of 400,000. In the first battle, Benjamin killed 22,000 Israelites. In the second battle, Benjamin killed another 18,000. Finally the 11 Tribes asked of G-d whether they should go to battle against Benjamin and G-d said yes, adding that they would then be victorious. In the third battle, Israel ambushed Benjamin by surprise. Israel killed 25,100 Benjaminites. Benjamin retreated and was pursued. 18,000 soldiers were killed in battle and another 7,000 were killed in flight. 600 escaped to the Rock of Rimmon, where they stayed for four months. The cities of Benjamin were eradicated, so that only the 600 refugees at Rimmon survived.

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Shofetim Perek 19

Shofetim Perek 19-
Sefer Shofetim is taught by Rabbi Joey Mizrachi
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Another story from the early days of the Judges: there was a Levi who lived in Mt. Ephraim whose concubine left him and returned to her father’s home. After four months, the Levi went to retrieve her. Everyone was reconciled and the Levi stayed at his father-in-law’s house for several days. (A concubine is like a wife, but without a marriage contract.) After a few days, the man and his concubine took to the road. At nightfall, they stopped in a Benjaminite city called Giv'ah. There, they stayed with a local man, an Ephraimite, who invited them in. Here’s where things went horribly wrong. A group of people from Giv'ah acted like the inhabitants of Sodom did to Lot when he hosted the angels. They demanded that the man be sent out so that they could engage him in acts of sodomy. In a misguided show of hospitality, the host offered his own daughter and the concubine to the mob. The mob initially declined this offer, but the man pushed his concubine out to them. A bird in the hand, they took the deal and molested her all night long. At daybreak, she was released, made her way back to the host’s house, and collapsed on the doorstep, where she expired. When the man saw what had been done to his concubine, he cut her corpse into 12 pieces and sent one to each Tribe telling the story of what the mob in Giv'ah had done. The purpose was to stir the passions of the nation that such a thing could be done. It worked, because they called a national meeting to address the atrocity.

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Shofetim Perek 18

Shofetim Perek 18-
Sefer Shofetim is taught by Rabbi Joey Mizrachi
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Despite being placed after the story of Shimshon, there is a consensus that it actually occurred much earlier, in the time of Otniel, the first Judge. Scouts from the Tribe of Dan were looking for territory when they discovered the altar in Mikha’s house. They asked the Levi if they would be successful in their quest and he said they would. The Danites went about their mission. They reported back about Mikha’s idol, which they decided to seize. The Levi opposed them, so they offered him a better job: being priest for them, rather than for Mikha alone. A job’s a job, so he took the offer. Mikha found out what was going on and he opposed it. The Danite forces, who greatly outnumbered Mikha’s forces, strongly suggested that he just walk away. Dan conquered the city of Laish and renamed it Dan after their ancestor. They established a house of idolatry with the Levi as priest. At this point, the Navi reveals his name: Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Menashe. But wait! The letter “nun” in the name “Menashe” is suspended halfway above the rest of the name! It’s half in and half out. With the “nun” in, the name is Menashe. With the “nun” out, the name is Moshe! The commentators explain that Jonathan was the grandson of Moshe. Moshe was a Levi and he had a son named Gershom, so it all makes sense. So why the “nun,” rendering his name Menashe? Out of respect for Moses, the Navi concealed that fact.

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Shofetim Perek 17

Shofetim Perek 17 -
Sefer Shofetim is taught by Rabbi Joey Mizrachi
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

There was a man from Mt. Ephraim named Mikha, who stole a large sum of silver from his mother, but returned it fearing her curse on the thief. She had already resolved to consecrate the money, so she gave it back to him to have made into a statue.
When he received the statue from the silver smith, Mikha set it up in his house as an idol and he made one of his sons the priest of his new religion. Eventually, a Levi came traveling by. Mikha was thrilled to have a Levi, from whose Tribe come real Kohanim. He offered him a hefty salary to stay and be his priest. The Levi joined Mikha’s household and Mikha took his presence as a sign of G-d’s approval.

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Shofetim Perek 16

Shofetim Perek 16 -
Sefer Shofetim is taught by Rabbi Joey Mizrachi
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Shimshon went to Gaza where he saw a prostitute and desired her. The Philistines were told that Shimshon was in town, so they set an ambush. He simply ripped the city gates off the wall and carried them away with him. But here’s where the trouble began: Shimshon was permitted to do some extraordinary things as part of his mission, but this incident was different. Sometimes one has to do an unpleasant task, such as fight a war or execute a criminal. These things should never be considered fun, but rather solemn duties. While Shimshon may have had lofty goals for his actions, in this case he simultaneously indulged his passions. (Basically, his mission was to attract Philistine attention in Gaza, not to have a good time doing it.)
Then Shimshon fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah. The Philistine leaders bribed her to find out the secret of Shimshon’s great strength. He humored her with a series of lies: tie him up with wet twine, with new ropes, weave his braids on a loom – each of these proved false. Finally he told her that he was a Nazir to G-d from birth and that never shaving his hair was the secret. (She knew that this was the truth since he used the expression “a Nazir to G-d” and he wouldn’t use G-d’s name in vain.) Delilah shaved Shimshon’s head while he slept, then called the Philistines to arrest him.
The Philistines put out Shimshon’s eyes and put him to work in the prison mill. During this time, his hair started to grow in. Later, during a Philistine celebration, they brought him up to make fun of him. Leaning on pillars, Shimshon prayed for G-d to return his strength so that he could knock the entire building down, killing everyone in it (himself included). G-d obliged and Shimshon killed more of the enemy with his dying act than in his whole career.

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Yehoshua Perek 24

Yehoshua Perek 24 -
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Yehoshua gathered the people in Shehem and gave a recap of Jewish history to that point. Terah was an idolator, but G-d chose his son Abraham and promised the land of Canaan to his descendants. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Esau, Jacob and his family went down to Egypt... (If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s part of the Passover Haggadah.) Then Moses and Aaron, plagues in Egypt, splitting the Red Sea, and 40 years in the wilderness. After struggles with Balak and Balaam, they crossed the Jordan, took Yeriho and inherited the land. Yehoshua then charged the people to wholeheartedly serve Hashem and only Hashem. The people replied that they would never dream of following foreign idols after all Hashem has done for them. Yehoshua warned the nation that if they strayed, the consequences would be dire. He then wrote the Book of Yehoshua until this point. Yehoshua passed away at the age of 110. At this juncture, the Nabi relates that Joseph’s bones, which were taken out of Egypt by Moses, were buried in Shehem, although this no doubt happened much earlier.

Elazar the Kohen Gadol died sometime subsequent to Yehoshua and was succeeded by (and buried by) his son Pinchas. The Book of Yehoshua starts by comparing Yehoshua to his teacher Moses. However, in chapter one, Moses is called the “servant of Hashem” and Yehoshua is merely “the attendant of Moses.” The Book ends calling Yehoshua a “servant of Hashem,” the same title previously reserved for Moses. Despite the fact that Yehoshua did not merit the full 120 years of his teacher, he did earn this rare distinction, bestowed upon him by no less than G-d Himself.

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Yehoshua Perek 23

Yehoshua Perek 23 -
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
At age 110, Yehoshua realized that he wouldn’t live much longer, so he gave words of encouragement to the Jewish people. He reminded them of all Hashem did for them and urged them to be strong in their observance of the Torah. Yehoshua restated the prohibition on intermarriage, found in the Torah in Parashat Va’eschanan. If the Jews intermarry, Yehoshua cautions them, Hashem will cease to drive out the Canaanite nations. Just as G-d has brought about every good thing He promised, if the Jews turn their backs on Him, He will bring about all the punishments about which He warned them.

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Yehoshua Perek 22

Yehoshua Perek 22 -
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Now that all 12 Tribes received their land, the men of Reuben, Gad and half of Menashe moved into their portions. Almost immediately, however, there was an enormous problem, as these two and a half Tribes assembled a giant altar on the eastern side of the Jordan River. This was a huge source of concern to the other ten Tribes. Perhaps they were starting a competing Mishkan, which would be a rebellious act. The ten Tribes in Israel proper dispatched Pinchas and other emissaries to the two and a half Tribes. They reminded Reuben, Gad and half- Menashe of the consequences of the sin with the idol of Peor in the wilderness, and of Ahan’s sin and how others died for it. The two and a half Tribes in Trans-Jordan were surprised, to say the least. “G-d forbid!” they exclaimed. “We would never do that!” No, they explained, the intent of their altar was the exact opposite of rebellion. Because they were on the opposite side of the Jordan, they were afraid that their descendants would not realize that they, too, had a share in the religious center of Israel.

Therefore, they built a replica of the altar as a constant reminder of the Mishkan, then in Shiloh. They named this model “Ed” - “Witness.” The representatives of the ten Tribes found this explanation satisfactory and departed in peace.

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Yehoshua Perek 21

Yehoshua Perek 21
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Next, the leaders of the Tribe of Levi approached Elazar and Yehoshua to apportion to them the cities and fields promised to them in Parashat Masei. The Leviyim were divided into four groups: the Kohanim, the rest of the descendants of Kehat, the descendants of Gershon and the descendants of Merari. Each of these groups received its own cities. In total, 48 cities were apportioned to the Leviyim, along with the surrounding fields. The Nabi tells us that the Leviim approached Elazar and Yehoshua in Shiloh. Shiloh was the site of the Mishkan. Until the Mishkan was established in its place, the Leviyim did not assume their “full-time” religious duties, which were the catalyst for their receiving cities, rather than a territory like the other Tribes. The Kohanim received their cities in the portions of Judah, Benjamin and Simeon. These were near Shiloh, where the Mishkan was located, and near Jerusalem, where the Bet HaMikdash would ultimately be built.

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Yehoshua Perek 20

Yehoshua Perek 20
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Now that all 12 Tribes were settled in their portions, it was time to designate the cities of refuge as Hashem commanded Moshe in Parashat Masei. These were cities where those who killed accidentally would flee. They would have to reside there until the death of the Kohen Gadol. (What did the Kohen Gadol have to do with manslaughter? One explanation, given by the Talmud in Makkot (11a) is that if he, as spiritual leader, had done a better job, such things wouldn’t happen.) Moshe himself dedicated three cities on his side of the Jordan in Parashat Va’ethanan, but they did not become active until the cities were dedicated in Eres Yisrael proper.

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Yehoshua Perek 19

Yehoshua Perek 19
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Next came the portion of Shimon, which, oddly enough, was scattered throughout the portion of Judah. One reason is given in the text of the Nabi itself: Judah’s territory was simply too big for a single Tribe. Another reason can be found in the brachos (blessings) given to the 12 sons of Jacob by their father. Because of the incident caused by Simeon and Levi in Shechem, Jacob said that they would be scattered in Israel, to prevent them from consolidating their forces. Levi was scattered by nature of their Temple service; Simeon was scattered simply because of Jacob’s words. The rest of the chapter discusses the portions of Zevulun, Yissahar, Asher, Naftali, and Dan. Dan’s territory was not sufficient for their growing Tribe, so they conquered the city of Leshem and renamed it Dan, after their ancestor. (This actually happened in the period of the Judges, but is recorded here because of its relevance.)After the Tribes all received their portions, they gave Yehoshua a city of his choosing in Mount Ephraim. This fulfilled a previously unrecorded commandment of Hashem.

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Yehoshua Perek 18

Yehoshua Perek 18
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

The Tribes of Judah and the sons of Joseph were settled in their territory, as were the Tribes with land in Trans-Jordan. Since Levi did not have a territory, this left seven Tribes waiting to receive their portions. Yehoshua had each of these Tribes select three members who would survey the land and describe its features. The land would then be divided into seven portions and distributed by lottery. The first portion drawn went to the Tribe of Benjamin and fell in between the portions of Judah and Ephraim. The Nabi describes the territory in some detail, then ends with a listing of cities in the territory, one of which was Jerusalem. But wait! Didn’t we say, back in chapter 15, that Jerusalem was in Judah’s territory? Actually, the city of Jerusalem was shared by the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

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Yehoshua Perek 17

Yehoshua Perek 17
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Continuing the territory of Joseph’s sons, the Nabi moves on the half of the Tribe of Menashe that did not settle in Trans-Jordan. Elazar the Kohen Gadol and Yehoshua were now approached by the daughters of Selofhad. You may recall that these five women approached Moshe in Parashat Pinhas, saying that their deceased father had no sons. G-d instructed Moshe that they should inherit their father’s portion in Eres Yisrael. At this time, that promise was fulfilled. The Tribe of Menashe, accompanied by Ephraim, complained to Yehoshua that the land they received was not sufficient, since they were a very large Tribe. During the time between the first census taken in the desert and entering the Land, Menashe had grown more than any other Tribe. They may have expected Yehoshua’s sympathy, as he was from Ephraim, but the division of land was ordained by G-d. Yehoshua suggested that they clear some forest land in their territory. The Tribes of Joseph’s sons balked out of fear of the Canaanite forces there. Yehoshua assured them that they would be victorious, despite the enemy’s chariots.

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Yehoshua Perek 16

Yehoshua Perek 16
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

A short chapter - a mere ten verses - starts a description of the territory of the sons of Joseph. Their territory extended from the Jordan opposite Yeriho to Beth-El. In addition to their own territory, Ephraim had cities that extended into the territory of Menashe. Canaanite residents remained in Gezer, one of these cities, and they became laborers.

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Rabbi Harold Sutton - The Duplicity of The Gib'onim

Rabbi Harold Sutton answers why Yehoshua asked the Gib'onim a seemingly redundant question - the question of why the Gib'onim tricked B'nei Yisrael. His point is developed through an analysis of the reasons behind the trickery and an analysis of standard protocol for attacking the nations that lived in Eres Kena'an at the time.
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Recorded on Monday Nov. 3rd, 2014 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hohma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.

Yehoshua Perek 15

Yehoshua Perek 15
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

The Nabi now details the land given to each Tribe. Judah’s territory was in the south. It extended from the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the Dead Sea on the east. Jerusalem was at the northern end of Judah’s territory, which extended southward into the Negev desert. The division of the land started with Judah because Caleb was from the Tribe of Judah. Since he approached Yehoshua to fulfill Moses’ promise in the last chapter, Yehoshua dealt with Judah’s portion first. Giving Caleb Hebron would have been problematic if Judah were not assigned the portion in which it fell. However, it was G-d’s will that Caleb receive Hebron, so Judah did indeed receive the right parcel of land. Hebron was still occupied by giants when Caleb inherited it. He offered the right to marry his daughter Ahsah to whoever removed the giants from the land. Caleb’s half-brother Otniel conquered Hebron and married Ahsah.

Caleb gave them the land that contained springs. (This incident actually occurred after the death of Yehoshua and is recorded chronologically in the Book of Judges.) The chapter concludes with an extensive list of cities in the portion of Judah. Jerusalem, however, could not be completely conquered in the time of Yehoshua and the Yevusim continued to maintain a presence there.

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Yehoshua Perek 14

Yehoshua Perek 14
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

The remaining nine and a half Tribes were assigned their portion by lottery. Yes, the Nabi reminds us, Jacob’s son Joseph became two Tribes: Ephraim and Menashe. Sometimes we consider Ephraim and Menashe the sons of Joseph as one and then Levi is Tribe #12. In the context of dividing the land, however, Ephraim and Menashe are two Tribes and Levi is not included. Caleb ben Yefuneh, like Yehoshua, was one of the twelve spies dispatched by Moses in Parashat Shelah. Because they were the only two spies to bring back a favorable report, Caleb and Yehoshua were the only members of their generation who merited entering the Land of Israel. Furthermore, Moses promised Caleb the land that only he was brave enough to scout out: Hebron. Yehoshua fulfilled the promise of Moses and gave Caleb Hebron as his inheritance.

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Yehoshua Perek 13

Yehoshua Perek 13
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

the Tribes. Yehoshua divides the land on the west of the Jordan, the Nabi details how Moses gave two and a half Tribes their portion on the eastern side. You may recall how in Parashat Matot, the Tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the Tribe of Menashe asked for their inheritance on the east of the Jordan. They said that they would fight the Canaanite nations along with the other Tribes and not settle their land until the other Tribes received their portions. That time was now. In discussing the conquest of the land of Reuben, the Nabi mentions Balaam and refers to him as a sorcerer rather than a prophet. The Radak explains that Balaam really was only a sorcerer and that the gift of prophecy only came to him temporarily. He suggests that it was perhaps out of respect for Israel that G-d sent him a message through a malach (angel) rather than through his normal sorcerous means. After describing the portions of Reuben, Gad and Menashe, but before moving on to the other Tribes, the Nabi reminds is that the portion of the Tribe of Levi is not real estate, but the service of G-d in the Mishkan and, later, the Bet HaMikdash.

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Yehoshua Perek 12

Yehoshua Perek 12
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

The Nabi now gives a list of kings defeated by Israel. First it lists those defeated by Moshe on the other side of the Jordan: Sihon and Og. Then it lists those conquered by Yehoshua, totaling thirty-one. The Nabi lists the thirty-one kings in an odd, apparently redundant, fashion. It says, “The king of Yeriho, one; the king of Ai...one,” etc. We could just count the kings and see there are thirty-one, without saying “one” after each king. The Radak says that each of these 31 kings ruled more than just the one city; the cities named were the capitals of their kingdoms. While the thirty-one kings listed in this chapter were all destroyed, not all of their cities were necessarily occupied by Israel at this time. For example, Jerusalem would not be conquered until after the death of Yehoshua, in the first chapter of the Book of Judges (Shofetim).

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Yehoshua Perek 11

Yehoshua Perek 11
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Hearing about Yehoshua’s conquest of the southern cities, the kings of the northern cities became quite scared. They formed a coalition against Israel under the leadership of Yavin, king of Hasor and set up camp by the waters of Merom. G-d told Yehoshua that He would deliver the Canaanite forces into Israel’s hands and that they should hamstring the enemy’s horses and burn their chariots. This Yehoshua did. Israel conquered the cities of the north and burned the city of Hasor. The chapter ends with a summary of Yehoshua’s conquests. The only city that chose to make peace, we are told, was Givon; the rest chose to fight and were destroyed in battle. G-d “strengthened their hearts” as He did with the Pharaoh in Egypt, so that they could overcome their fear of Israel and do battle, rather than flee. Yehoshua also removed the giants, seen by the meraglim (spies) in Parashat Shelah.

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Rabbi Harold Sutton - The Sin of Achan

Rabbi Harold Sutton delves into the deeper reasons of what Achan's sin actually was and why it was so bad. He also discusses the underlying cause for the failure of the first army Yehoshua sent to attack Ai.
See Source sheet here: http://www.tanachstudy.com/uploads/2/4/0/7/24076605/rabbi_sutton_10_28_14_source_sheets.pdf

Recorded on Tuesday Oct. 28th, 2014 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hohma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.

Yehoshua Perek 10

Yehoshua Perek 10
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Adoni Sedek, king of Jerusalem got wind that the Givonites made a pact with Yehoshua and he was very displeased. He contacted other local kings to join him in an attack on Givon. When five kings attacked, the Givonites sent messengers to Yehoshua asking for help. Yehoshua obliged and was victorious. G-d Himself joined the battle, raining giant hailstones on the enemy, causing even more damage than the battle itself. Then, Yehoshua commanded the sun and the moon to stand still in their paths. This miracle was unprecedented in that “Hashem listened to the voice of a person.” Yehoshua didn’t pray to G-d to stop the sun, he simply commanded the sun and G-d agreed. This was a sign that G-d was fighting for Israel. (See verse 10:14.)

The five kings who instigated the battle were found holed up in a cave. Yehoshua commanded that the cave be sealed and guards posted until the battles were over. After that, they opened the cave, removed the kings and executed them. The Nabi ends the chapter with a description of various cities Yehoshua, including those of the five attacking kings.

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Yehoshua Perek 9

Yehoshua Perek 9
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

When the people of Givon heard about what happened in Yeriho and Ai, they got scared. They decided to use subterfuge to seal a pact with Yehoshua. They dressed up in worn out clothes and took old, dried out supplies so that they would look as if they had just come from a long journey. They told Yehoshua that they represented a kingdom far away and that they wished to forge a covenant. Yehoshua was suspicious that they might actually be a Canaanite people, but they showed him the dried bread and the cracked wineskins, as well as their worn out clothes and shoes. Yehoshua therefore agreed to the treaty with the Givonim. Three days later, the Jews discovered that they had been tricked. A party of Israelites traveled to the surprisingly close Givonite cities. The people complained, but the leaders insisted that the deal be kept despite the deception. The Givonites had sworn themselves as servants to Israel, so they became wood choppers and water carriers for the nation. Yehoshua cursed them that that’s all they would ever be.

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Yehoshua Perek 8

Yehoshua Perek 8; Founder of Tanach Study

The problem caused by Ahan resolved, Hashem sent Yehoshua back to Ai. Yehoshua took 30,000 soldiers by night to the rear of the city. They pretended to ee as they had the first time. When the King of Ai had his forces pursue the Jewish army, he left the city unprotected. Yehoshua had hidden 5,000 troops, who then easily took the city. When the army of Ai (who were pursuing Israel) saw their city burning, they became confused and were easily overpowered when Yehoshua’s army stopped pretending to flee. The King of Ai was captured and executed. After this victory, Yehoshua built an altar on Mt. Eival and wrote the Torah on the stones taken from the Jordan back in chapter 4. The Tribes stood on Mt. Eival and Mt. Gerizim in order to recite the blessings and curses, as was called for in Deut. 27.

Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem
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Yehoshua Perek 7

Yehoshua Perek 7
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Yehoshua next sent spies to the city of Ai, which was judged to be small and weak, therefore not requiring many troops. Nevertheless, the army of Ai quickly gained the upper hand. Yehoshua inquired of G-d as to why this was and G-d informed him that it was because someone looted consecrated property from the conquest of Yeriho. A Divinely-Inspired lottery narrowed it down by Tribe and family until it was determined that Ahan ben Karmi of the Tribe of Judah was the guilty party. He confessed that he had stolen gold, silver and clothes and hidden them in the ground beneath his tent. The stolen property was uncovered and Ahan was executed at G-d’s command. While Yehoshua commanded that Ahan be brought to the valley where he would be executed along with his property and family, do not be misled into thinking that his family paid the price for his actions. The Nabi says quite clearly that only Ahan was stoned. His family had to serve as witnesses, just as other people. Furthermore, the Talmud tells us that, despite his actions, Ahan secured his place in the Next World by his confession.

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Yehoshua Perek 6

Yehoshua Perek 6
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study

Yehoshua sealed the city of Yeriho so that nobody could enter or leave. The army circled the city once a day for six days, following which seven Kohanim would blow shofar. On the seventh day, the army circled the city seven times. When the Kohanim blew shofar, the city walls collapsed. The city was routed but, as promised, Rahab and her family were spared. Yehoshua placed a curse on anyone who would rebuild Yeriho, or even call another city by that name. The walls of Yeriho sank straight down into the ground.

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Yehoshua Perek 5

Yehoshua Perek 5
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

When the kings of the Canaanite nations heard about the miracle that G-d performed for the Jews at the Jordan, they weren’t too happy. In fact, they were petrified! Meanwhile, Yehoshua set about circumcising all of the Jewish males. (They hadn’t performed the mitzvah of brit milah - circumcision - during the forty years in the desert because they had to be ready to travel at a moment’s notice and that could be dangerous for newborns who just had surgery.) Joshua 4:19 tells us that the nation crossed the Jordan on the 10th day of the month of Nisan. Having entered into the Land of Israel, the Jews would celebrate, in four days’ time, the first Pesach since leaving Egypt. Since an uncircumcised male may not eat the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice - see Exodus 12:48), a national circumcision was necessary for the second time. (The first was before the Exodus from Egypt.) After offering the korban Pesach, the manna which the Jews received daily in the wilderness ceased.

While Yehoshua was standing outside of Jericho, he was confronted by a malach (angel) with a drawn sword. The malach told Yehoshua symbolically that he had been neglecting his spiritual obligations and not to do so, as the conquest of the land would not - could not - be carried out by natural means alone.

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Yehoshua Perek 4

Yehoshua Perek 4
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

At this juncture, Yehoshua erects a memorial to commemorate the miracle that Hashem performed for the Jewish people at the Jordan River. He ordered twelve men, one from each Tribe, to each carry a stone from the river to the place where they were camped. This was actually the fulfillment of a commandment given in Deuteronomy 27, in which the Jewish people were commanded to erect 12 stones and to write the Torah upon them.
The entire time, the Kohanim had been standing there, holding the Aron. (Actually, the Aron carried its bearers, but that’s another story.) When the people were done erecting the stones, the Kohanim carried the Aron out of the river bed and the Jordan resumed its usual flow.
The people set up camp in Gilgal, at the eastern end of Jericho. Gilgal would serve as the temporary capital for the next 14 years.

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Rabbi Harold Sutton - Why Would Yehoshua Send Meragelim?!

Rabbi Harold Sutton examines the 'meragelim' sent by Moshe in the midbar and the meragelim sent by Yehoshua upon approaching Eres Yisrael. Rabbi Sutton examines why Moshe's spies sinned so greatly and how Yehoshua had learned from his teacher's mistakes when sending his own spies. 

Recorded on Monday Oct. 20th, 2014 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hochma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY 11223.

Yehoshua Perek 3

Yehoshua Perek 3
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
The nation camped by the Jordan River in anticipation of crossing into the Holy Land. The people were instructed to follow the Aron, which would be carried by the Kohanim. They were to keep a distance of 2,000 cubits, about half a mile, to show proper respect but also so that everyone should be able to see the impending miracle. In order to demonstrate that Yehoshua was a suitable successor to Moshe, G-d performed a miracle similar to one He did when the Jews left Egypt; He split the Jordan River so that the Jews could cross. However, unlike the Red Sea, the Jordan River is a flowing body of water. Accordingly, the waters upstream piled up vertically into a column. Given its thematic connection to crossing the Red Sea, Yehoshua chapter 3 is part of the haftarah for the first day of Pesach.

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Yehoshua Perek 2

Yehoshua Perek 2
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
You may recall that Yehoshua was one of the twelve meragellim, who were sent by Moshe to spy out the Land and its inhabitants in Parashat Shelah (Numbers 13). Yehoshua and Caleb ben Yefuneh were the only two who delivered a positive report and were the only members of their generation to enter the Land. Now, Yehoshua sent two spies to investigate the city of Yeriho. They stayed at the house of a woman named Rahav, who was a “woman of ill-repute.” Despite her occupation, she was a righteous woman and she concealed the spies from the King of the city who had heard rumors of their arrival. She gave the King misdirection and sent his soldiers on a wild goose chase. In exchange for saving their lives, the spies agreed to spare Rahab and her family when the city would be invaded. This promise was conditional, however, on Rahab hanging a red string from her window so that her apartment, which was in the city walls, could be identied. Rahab later converted to Judaism, married Yehoshua himself, and is the ancestor of several prophets, including Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah). This chapter is the haftarah for Parashat Shelah.

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Yehoshua Perek 1

Yehoshua Perek 1
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
This chapter continues the narrative immediately after the conclusion of the Torah in Parashat V’zot HaBeracha. Accordingly, it is read as the Haftarah on Simchat Torah. Yehoshua is named the successor of Moshe by Hashem. He is commanded to lead the Jewish people across the Jordan River to the Land which G-d has promised them. G-d charges Yehoshua to be strong and brave and to keep the Torah that G-d gave through Moshe. “This book of the Torah shall not leave your mouth,” G-d says, “rather you shall be involved with it both day and night.” Yehoshua then readies the people, particularly reminding the Tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half Tribe of Menashe of their promise to tag alongside the rest of the nation, despite having received their portion of the Land on the other side of the Jordan (see Numbers 32). Much has been made of the fact that Yehoshua is introduced as “mesharet Moshe”, “Moshe’s attendant”. Moshe had two sons, but neither of them was chosen his successor. That role was given to Yehoshua who attended Moshe.

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Yehoshua Intro

Introduction to Yehoshua
Sefer Yehoshua is taught by Mr. Jesse Salem; Founder of Tanach Study
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
The book of Yeshoshua is the first book of Neviim which chronologically follows the closing of Sefer Devarim, the 5th and last book of the Torah.
Listen to the Introduction given by Jesse Salem for a broader overall insight on Sefer Yehoshua.

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Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom - A Portrait of Yehoshua Bin Nun

Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom examines the character of Yehoshua Bin Nun, the leader who follows Moshe Rabbenu and brings the Jewish nation to the land of Israel, through an analysis of all the texts in which Yehoshua is mentioned. Rabbi Etshalom goes through the development of Yehoshua as a leader and explains the overarching theme of the first sefer of Neviim, Sefer Yehoshua.

Recorded on Sept. 20, 2014 in Congregation Beth Torah in Brooklyn, NY.

http://www.tanachstudy.com/leadership-in-transition.html

Source sheets:
Hebrew/English: http://www.tanachstudy.com/uploads/2/4/0/7/24076605/03______w_eng.pdf

Hebrew: http://www.tanachstudy.com/uploads/2/4/0/7/24076605/03_____.pdf

Introduction to Tanach Study - Jesse Salem

Founder and creator of Tanach Study, Jesse Salem, giving the opening remarks at Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom's class on 9/20/2014. Jesse introduces the program by describing its purpose, function, and format.

Recorded on Sept. 20th, 2014 in Congregation Beth Torah in Brooklyn, New York.

www.tanachstudy.com