Yeshaya Perek 29-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
Now Yesha’ya mourns for the altar, which is compared to a “lion of G-d.” Jerusalem, the city in which the altar can be found, will be besieged. The city and its people will be humbled, lowered to the dirt. Those who invade, the army of Assyria, will be consumed and will become like dust. G-d will save the altar through miraculous means, referring again to the plague that wiped out the Assyrian army in a single night. The multitude of nations sur- rounding Jerusalem will seem like a dream. A hungry person dreams he’s eating, but wakes up as hungry as ever - that’s how it will be with the nations that surround Jerusalem. The false prophets were blinded to the truth and they blinded others to it. They were like drunks, without even drinking a sip. G-d made them fall into a deep sleep, covering their eyes. To them, the words of true prophets are like somebody trying to read a closed book, or someone giving a book to a person who can’t even read.
G-d says, “This nation honors Me with lip-service, but not sincerely in their hearts. They are acting out of rote. Therefore, I will take away sages, making My word more obscure and much wisdom will be lost.” Woe to those who think they can conceal their thoughts and deeds from G-d. They think nobody can see them and nobody will know. Who understands a creation better than its Creator? Soon, Lebanon will blossom into a fertile field and fertile fields will become forests. The deaf will hear the words of prophecy and the blind will see through the darkness. Those who previously suffered will rejoice in G-d; the tyrants are gone and the evil people have been destroyed. Now our Forefathers will no longer be ashamed of their children, who are following in their footsteps by following G-d. Those who were cynical will learn and understand.
Yeshaya Perek 28-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
Yesha’ya now criticizes the people of Israel for gluttony and drunkenness. They are like inferior, spoiled fruits; G-d will come down on them like a powerful storm. The drunkards will be cast down and walked on. Then, G-d will be a crown of beauty for the rest of His people, who are righteous. G-d will teach justice to the judges and He will be a source of strength to those who fight the battles of Torah. These people may also have been misled by wine, becoming corrupt and causing injustices. Their tables are full of sacrifices to idols, which are repulsive. We must re-teach the nation as we do children: little by little, a piece at a time. The words of the prophets are like a foreign language to them; they can’t understand. G-d told them that this was real rest, but they wouldn’t listen. The word of G-d will be the law to them; they will stumble, fall and break. Therefore, listen to G-d and don’t look down on His word. G-d says, “I have laid a cornerstone in Jerusalem,” (Rashi says this means that He has already established the Mashiah).“Those who believe will have faith, though it will take a long time. I will make justice and righteous- ness My tools. The ‘deal’ you think you made with idols will be null and void - you will be swept away by the very troubles you thought to avoid.”
There is now a list of things that will befall Israel in enemy hands: harsh decrees, sheer terror for those who hear them, and more work to be done for the oppressors than can be accomplished. G-d will take action, doing strange things to deliver Israel into their enemies’ hands, just as He does miraculous things when he redeems them from trouble. Do not belittle, Yesha’ya says, because G-d has decreed total destruction on the land. Does a farmer plow forever and never sow? Similarly, the prophets will not warn you forever without action ever being taken. G-d sends prophets and if the people refuse to listen to them, He will admonish the people. G-d gives, through Yesha’ya, further allegories of sowing cumin and planting grain - all of these are His ways of trying to nudge the people back onto the proper path.
Yeshaya Perek 27-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
On the day that G-d judges, He will slay the two Leviathans, which Rashi says represent Egypt and Assyria. He will also slay the “sea serpent” (the kingdom of Sur). When Israel is redeemed, they will be like a vineyard of rich wine that G-d waters and guards by day and night. He can have no anger against the nations because Israel also sins. If the Jews would hold fast to the Torah, G-d could strike the other nations according to strict justice.
The Jews went to Egypt in the time of Jacob and they flourished into a nation there. God repaid Pharaoh for the evil they inflicted on the Jews. When Egypt sent the Jews out, G-d repaid them measure for measure. As it was then, it will be now - Israel will be redeemed from their oppressors. They will be forgiven their sins if they tear down their idols and altars. When they do this, an Edomite stronghold will be abandoned and Israel will dwell there. When the merits of Edom run out altogether, they will be utterly destroyed by the weakest. Israel, however, does not recognize their relationship with G-d, so He is not looking out for them. When G-d redeems Israel, he will gather all those who have been lost and assimilated thanks to the Assyrian exile. A great shofar will sound and those lost in Egypt and Assyria will return, bowing down to G-d at the Temple in Jerusalem.
Yeshaya Perek 26-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
When G-d humbles Moab, the following song will be sung in Judah:
Jerusalem, which was our strength, will have salvation for support. Open the gates so that the righteous may enter. Those who relied on G-d will be shielded with peace for their faith. Trust in G-d forever because He is eternally steadfast. He brings down the high and mighty so that those who had been made poor (Israel) may walk over them. The path for the righteous is a direct route to their reward. We look forward to G-d rewarding the righteous and judging the evil. We longed for G-d while we were in exile (compared by Yesha’ya to night- time), asking for the day He would render judgment. Should the wicked, who didn’t learn their lesson, be shown favor? They’re too full of themselves to see G-d. G-d’s hand has been taken away, so they do not see - let them see and they’ll be ashamed! They will be jealous of G-d’s relationship with Israel and their shame will consume them, like fire. G-d, please prepare peace for us because you have already paid us for our sins. We were ruled by “masters” other than G-d, but we only want Him. The evil will not see the Next World or the resurrection; they are utterly destroyed. G-d has added Torah and honor to Israel and He is honored in return. Even in bad times, we do not question G-d, turning instead to prayer. We were in pain like a woman in labor, but there was no salvation and the oppressors did not fall. May the righteous who died for G-d live again and praise Him. Look into your hearts and do introspection; do good deeds to protect yourself from G-d’s anger. G-d is coming to pay the wicked for their sins. Mount Seir, the home of Esau’s descendants, will reveal the blood of those whom they killed.
When does Yeshaya Prophesy?
To Who? What are the major themes that he discusses? Yeshaya speaks of Koresh in the later perakim, something that has lead scholars to create a Yeshaya 1 and Yeshaya 2. The fact that Koresh only appears after Yeshaya's time should not be a deciding factor and reflection of later authorship, as that is the definition of a navi. But why/what purpose does Yeshaya speak of Koresh?
Recorded on Monday Apr. 27th, 2015 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hochma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.
Yeshaya Perek 3-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
In this chapter, Yesha’ya speaks not of the Messianic era, but to people of his own generation. G-d is removing the supports from Judah and Jerusalem - soldiers and warriors, judges, prophets and elders. Instead, young and inexperienced people will lead, as will those who mock. People will be oppressed; young people will be disrespectful to the elders and lowly people will be disrespectful to honorable people. Things will reach this state because of the people’s sins, which they brazenly committed in public.
So, the leaders have led the people astray and G-d is ready to judge. The leaders crushed and oppressed the poor in their legal proceedings. The women were as prideful as the men, walking with their necks stretched out and winking at the men. G-d will strike such women with Saraat (“leprosy”), removing their fancy accessories. In place of perfume, there will be decay. Men will fall in war and there will be mourning.
Yeshaya Perek 2-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
After his “hazon” - the harsh prophecy of chapter 1 - Yesha’ya now has a “d’var” - a “word” of consolation. At the “end of days,” after the wicked are destroyed, G- d’s House will be firmly established. All the nations will flock to Him, turning their instruments of war into farming implements.
Yesha’ya speaks to G-d and says that He had turned His back on the Jews because of their sins. The land became full of gold and silver, horse and chariots, and idols. G-d will not overlook the infidelity of those who turned to idols. There is a day when G-d will repay everyone according to their deeds. All the mighty and powerful warriors and governors, who liken themselves to cedars and oaks, will be brought down to their place. A person who takes pride in his material possessions will likewise be humbled. On the day of judgment, G-d alone will be exalted.
Yeshaya Perek 1-
Sefer Yeshaya is taught by Rabbi Albert Setton, Rabbi at Congregation Magen David of West Deal; Rabbi in Hillel Yeshiva.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
A Brief Introduction to the Book of Yesha’ya:
Yesha’ya (Isaiah) is the first book of the Neviim Aharonim, the Later Prophets. While the books of the Neviim Rishonim, the Early Prophets, focus heavily on the history of the Jewish people from the time of Yehoshua (Joshua) until the Babylonian exile, the Later Prophets focus on the actual prophecies of Yesha’ya, Yirmiyah (Jeremiah), Yehezkel (Ezekiel) and the Trei Assar (Twelve “minor” prophets). Accordingly, the Later Prophets are much more esoteric, full of symbolism and allegory.
The books of the Later Prophets occur concurrently with those of the Early Prophets. Occasionally, we will see familiar stories from a new perspective. (Compare Yesha’ya’s visit to the ill King Hezkiyah in II Kings chapter 20 with Yesha’ya 38 for one such example.) Yesha’ya prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah (Azariah), Yotam, Ahaz and Hezkiyah though the prophecies in the book are not in chronological order. Some of his contemporary prophets were Nahum, Yoel and Habakkuk, who prophesied to Hezkiyah’s son, Menashe.
Yesha’ya is different from most other books of the Prophets in a significant way. Most of the prophets wrote down their own prophecies when they had finished the active part of their careers. Yesha’ya, however, was assassinated. Since he died abruptly, he was unable to write down his own prophecies. Since they were recorded by different students, there are some stylistic differences in the book. Bible critics attribute this to “two Yesha’yas,” but this is unnecessary, since our tradition already addresses the authorship of the book and resolves this perceived difficulty before it even arises.
Much of what we know about the Mashiah and the Messianic era comes from the Book of Yesha’ya. (Chapter 11 is a major source of such information.) However, there has also been much misrepresentation of the book by other religions’ missionaries. For example, the alleged prediction of a virgin birth in chapter 7 and the famous “suffering servant” of chapter 53. We will address these mis- interpretations as they arise in the text.
Finally, when Yesha’ya chastises the nation for their sins, don’t get the misimpression that every single person must have necessarily been guilty of these
shortcomings. We can all name the sins of our era, but we are also aware that not everybody is guilty of them. Similarly, in Yesha’ya’s time, there were certain misbehaviors that were rampant, but they were by no means universal.
The Neviim Aharonim are a completely different experience from Humash and the Neviim Rishonim. If you haven’t been exposed to them before, you’re about to embark on a unique journey of Torah learning. -
Chapter 1:
Yesha’ya was the son of Amos (with a sadi), who was the brother of Amasi’ya, then king of Judah. He prophesied to the nation of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. In this chapter, Yesha’ya calls upon the heavens and earth to bear witness to what G-d has said: the Jewish people have rebelled against Him. An ox recognizes its owner and a donkey knows its home, but the Jews failed to recognize G-d. They’ve suffered punishments, from head to foot, but they continue to sin against G-d.
Yesha’ya continues: G-d doesn’t want or need sacrifices. G-d no longer wanted them gathering before Him for Shabbat and Rosh Hodesh. When they spread out their hands to pray, it’s as if they were covered in blood. What the people need to do is to cleanse themselves of the taint of their deeds. Give up their evil ways. Do good, seek justice, look out for widows and orphans. If they repent, their sins, which are red like crimson, will become white like snow.
Judah was formerly a righteous place, a residence of justice, now everybody cheats everybody else. Therefore, G-d will purge and purify the nation, restoring it to its former glory so that once again it will be known as a place of righteousness.
Melachim II Perek 25-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
In the ninth year of Sidkiyah’s reign, on the 10th day of the 10th month (Teves), Nebuchadnezzar started his siege against Jerusalem. In the eleventh and last year of Sidkiyah’s reign, on the 9th day of the 4th month (Tammuz), the city wall was breached. The army of Judah fled. Sidkiyah was captured by the army of Kasdim and brought him to Babylonia.They killed his sons in front of him, then blinded him and kept him in chains.
On the 7th day of the 5th month (Av), Nebuzaradan came and looted Jerusalem. He burned the Temple (on the 9th of Av), as well as all the synagogues and yeshivos. Nebuzaradan exiled the remainder of the people, leaving behind only enough to work the fields.
The Babylonians demolished all the copper objects in the Temple and took the metal back to Babylonia. The fine craftsmanship of the pillars, utensils and the “sea” didn’t matter to them against the value of the copper itself.
Nebuzaradan took prominent Kohanim (priests) and royal advisors and had them executed, just so people would get the message. The kingdom of Judah was officially in exile.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah, son of Achikam, as governor over the small number of Jews remaining in the land. The soldiers who had run away returned and Gedaliah encouraged them to be faithful servants to Babylonia. In the seventh month (Tishrei), Gedaliah was assassinated by a party led by Yishmael ben Nesanya. This extinguished the last remnant of hope for the Jews in Judah, as they had to flee to Egypt to avoid repercussions for killing the king of Babylonia’s appointed representative.
Remember that Sidkiyah’s predecessor, his brother Yehoyachin, reigned three months and was captured. In the 27th year of Yehoyachin’s captivity, Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, Eivil Merodach, released him from prison. Eivil Merodach honored Yehoyachin over the other conquered kings. Yehoyachin changed out of his prison garb and ate at the king’s table for the rest of his life.
Melachim II Perek 24-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
During the reign of Yehoyakim, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia, invaded Judah. Yehoyakim served him for three years, then rebelled. The armies of Kasdim, Aram, Moab, and Ammon all mobilized against Judah. This was orchestrated by G-d, as He had said through the prophets.
Yehoyakim reigned for 11 years. When he died, he was succeeded by his son Yehoyachin. Egypt was no longer the military threat, since the Babylonians had moved in.
Like Yehoahaz, Yehoyachin reigned for a mere three months. Another evil king, he was captured in battle by the forces of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar also carried off some of Yehoyachin’s family, his officers, and all the treasures of the Temple and his palace, as had been foretold by Isaiah to Hizkiyah. 10,000 people were exiled from Jerusalem, leaving only the weakest and poorest, who would pose no threat.
Nebuchadnezzar crowned Yehoyachin’s uncle Matanya king of Judah and changed his name to Sidkiyah. Sidkiyah would be the last king of Judah.
Sidkiyah was one of the bad kings and he reigned for 11 years. Perhaps unwisely, he rebelled against the powerful Nebudchadnezzar, who had appointed him.
Melachim II Perek 23 Part 2-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
King Yoshiyah gathered the elders of the nation and headed for the Temple. He read the rebuke from the Torah to the assembled people of his nation. He and the people committed to uphold the words of the Torah.
The king had the Kohanim remove all vestiges of idolatry from the Temple. He had them (the idols) burned and the ashes carried away. He fired the priests who served those idols and burned the Ashera tree that was planted on Temple grounds. He trashed the rooms used for immorality for these idols and desecrated the altars of the idols. Yoshiyah wrecked the place where children would be passed through fire for Molech and abolished the practice of dawn chariot racing for sun worshippers.
Yoshiyah destroyed a lot more places of idolatry, including the altar of Yaravam, first king of the Ten Tribes. He exhumed the bones of the idolaters buried nearby and burned them on the altar, as was prophesized back in I Kings chapter 13, more than three hundred years earlier!
Spying a nearby tomb, Yoshiyah asked who was buried there. When he was informed that it was the prophet of G-d who had foretold these things, he left that grave undisturbed.
Not only did Yoshiyah purge Judah of idols, he also removed them from territories that had previously been part of the now-exiled Northern Kingdom.
Yoshiyah’s campaign against idolatry culminated in the spring, in time for Pesach (Passover). A Passover such as this had not been celebrated since the time of the Judges, since Yoshiyah removed all taints of idolatry and sorcery.
The Navi tells us that no king returned to G-d with the zeal and enthusiasm that Yoshiyah did. (This suggests that he wasn’t always righteous, but repented because of what was read to him from the Torah.) However, G-d’s decree was not swayed, as Menashe’s evil influence was too deeply ingrained in the people.
Yoshiyah died in battle against the army of Egypt. He had reigned for 31 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoahaz.
Yehoahaz was an evil king and he reigned for only three months. He was imprisoned by the Pharaoh, who imposed a fine on the people of Judah and installed Yehoahaz’ brother Elyakim as kingPharaoh changed Elyakim’s name to Yehoyakim, then took Yehoahaz back to Egypt with him. (Yehoahaz died there.)
Yehoyakim taxed the people to pay the fine imposed by Pharaoh, but he did so fairly; every person was charged according to his means. Despite this, Yehoyakim was another evil king, taking after Menashe and Amon rather than Yoshiyah.
Melachim II Perek 23 Part 1-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
King Yoshiyah gathered the elders of the nation and headed for the Temple. He read the rebuke from the Torah to the assembled people of his nation. He and the people committed to uphold the words of the Torah.
The king had the Kohanim remove all vestiges of idolatry from the Temple. He had them (the idols) burned and the ashes carried away. He fired the priests who served those idols and burned the Ashera tree that was planted on Temple grounds. He trashed the rooms used for immorality for these idols and desecrated the altars of the idols. Yoshiyah wrecked the place where children would be passed through fire for Molech and abolished the practice of dawn chariot racing for sun worshippers.
Yoshiyah destroyed a lot more places of idolatry, including the altar of Yaravam, first king of the Ten Tribes. He exhumed the bones of the idolaters buried nearby and burned them on the altar, as was prophesized back in I Kings chapter 13, more than three hundred years earlier!
Spying a nearby tomb, Yoshiyah asked who was buried there. When he was informed that it was the prophet of G-d who had foretold these things, he left that grave undisturbed.
Not only did Yoshiyah purge Judah of idols, he also removed them from territories that had previously been part of the now-exiled Northern Kingdom.
Yoshiyah’s campaign against idolatry culminated in the spring, in time for Pesach (Passover). A Passover such as this had not been celebrated since the time of the Judges, since Yoshiyah removed all taints of idolatry and sorcery.
The Navi tells us that no king returned to G-d with the zeal and enthusiasm that Yoshiyah did. (This suggests that he wasn’t always righteous, but repented because of what was read to him from the Torah.) However, G-d’s decree was not swayed, as Menashe’s evil influence was too deeply ingrained in the people.
Yoshiyah died in battle against the army of Egypt. He had reigned for 31 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoahaz.
Yehoahaz was an evil king and he reigned for only three months. He was imprisoned by the Pharaoh, who imposed a fine on the people of Judah and installed Yehoahaz’ brother Elyakim as kingPharaoh changed Elyakim’s name to Yehoyakim, then took Yehoahaz back to Egypt with him. (Yehoahaz died there.)
Yehoyakim taxed the people to pay the fine imposed by Pharaoh, but he did so fairly; every person was charged according to his means. Despite this, Yehoyakim was another evil king, taking after Menashe and Amon rather than Yoshiyah.
Melachim II Perek 22-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union: Yoshiyah was only eight years old when he became king. When he was 18, he decided that it was time again to have repairs made in the Temple. He told the Kohanim (priests) to collect money and give it to the workmen, as had been done in the time of King Yoash. Hilkiyah, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) told Shafan the Sofer (scribe) that he found a Torah scroll in the Temple. Shafan brought it to the king and read from it, which terrified Yoshiyah, who tore his clothes. The king instructed his servants to ask a prophet about what they just read. He was concerned that G-d must be angry with the nation for not following what he had heard read from the Torah.
The king’s men went to Hulad the prophetess.Hulad said that G-d was going to bring evil upon Judah for being unfaithful to Him. Regarding what the king read, because he softened his heart and tore his clothes, G-d will listen to him, so that he would not witness the destruction in his lifetime. The messengers returned this information to the king.
Melachim II Perek 21-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union: If Hizkiyah was one of the greatest kings of Judah, his son Menashe was one of the worst. Menashe surpassed the worst kings of Israel when it came to idolatry. He restored Baal worship, Ashera worship, and Molech worship. He introduced the worship of heavenly spheres and put altars to them in the Temple. He practiced astrology, necromancy and divination. And he did much of it just to antogonize G-d. Menashe seriously led his people astray.
G-d sent the prophets Nachum, Yoel and Habakkuk to Menashe with a dire message: Because Menashe exceeded all his idoltrous predecessors, G-d would punish Judah and Jerusalem so severely that just hearing about it would be enough to make one’s ears ring! G-d would judge Menashe and Judah the way He did Ahab and Israel. He will wipe out Jerusalem like one wipes a dish then turns it upside down. The Jews will be at the mercy of their enemies.
Almost as an afterthought to Menashe’s evil, the Navi mentions that he also spilled innocent blood. Menashe reigned 55 years – longer than any other king of Israel or Judah! When he died, he was succeeded by his son Amon.
Amon was an idolator like his father. He reigned for a mere two years, when he was assassinated by his servants. The people of the nation executed the assassins and installed Amon’s young son Yoshiyah as king.
Melachim II Perek 20-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Hizkiyah became deathly ill. Isaiah came to visit him. “Get your affairs in order,” Isaiah said, “because you’re going to die.” Hizkiyah turned to face the wall and he prayed to G-d, crying sincerely.
Isaiah was on the way out when G-d spoke to him, so he went back to Hizkiyah. “G-d has listened to your prayer,” he said. “I am healing you. In three days, you’ll go to the Temple. You will live another 15 years and I will protect Jerusalem from Assyria.” Isaiah then placed a cake of figs on Hizkiyah’s boil and it was healed.
The favor of curing the symptom was not a sign to prove Isaiah’s prophecy, so Hizkiyah asked for one. “No problem,” said Isaiah, “pick one: Shall the sundial move ahead ten hours or back ten hours?” Hizkiyah picked moving back ten hours. (Not only is making time move backwards more impressive than speeding it up, Hizkiyah’s whole point was to add time to his life, not remove it!) It went from late afternoon back to early morning (Sanhedrin 96a).
Berodach Baladan, king of Babylonia, inquired as to what the heck was going on with the sun. When he found out a miracle of such magnitude was worked for Hizkiyah, he was duly impressed and he sent gifts. Hizkiyah took the opportunity to show off for his visitors. After they left, Isaiah returned.
“What was that?” Isaiah asked.
“I had guests from Babylonia,” replied Hizkiyah. “I showed them everything.”
Isaiah chastised Hizkiyah for the missed opportunity. It was G-d who worked the miracle – he should have been “showing off” G-d, not bragging. “All that stuff you showed them?” Isaiah said, “Someday it will be carried off to Babylonia. Some of your descendants will be officers in the courts of Babylonia, as well.”
Hizkiyah did not protest. He accepted G-d’s judgment as good. (Not even “for the good.” He said “this IS good.” That’s a very high spiritual level!) Hizkiyah was relieved, at least, that the exile would not happen in his lifetime. (Please note that Hizkiyah’s actions did not cause the exile, he merely failed to prevent it.)
The reign of Hizkiyah was 29 years. When Hizkiyah died, he was succeeded by his son Menashe.
We open up Melachim Bet with a laundry list of Elisha's miracles, something we don't see by any other navi in Nevi'im. And then, surprisingly, we don't hear from him for 27 years until his death, a few perakim later. Where Did Elisha Go?
This has led some modern scholars to place the early prophecies and miracles of Elisha not in chronological order of the text during King Yehoram's time, rather during the reign of King Yehu.
Rabbi Sutton points out the difficulties with this approach and then goes on to support a novel approach through textual and thematic proofs.
Elisha filled a role of the navi in Yisrael after Eliyahu failed to obliterate Izebel and the Ba'al worship from amongst Yisrael. He served with a softer toned, something that was needed for the time. But once Yehu came to rule with his zealousness (even referred to as a meshuga) to obliterate all Ba'al worship (very similar to Eliyahu on Har HaKarmel), finishing off Eliyahu's job in Eliyahu's manner, Elisha was given a back seat in the text. The navi's focus was to finish off eliyahu's mission of removing Avodah Zara from amongst Yisrael, something that Eliyahu starts and King Yehu finishes off in his early reign.
Recorded on Monday April 6th, 2015 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hohma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.
Melachim II Perek 18-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Hizkiyah succeeded Ahaz as king of Judah. He was the greatest of all Jewish kings, excluding David and Solomon. (There are opinions that he was the greatest of all kings including David and Solomon!) Even the righteous kings of Judah did not abolish the private altars that the people used; Hizkiyah did. And that’s not all. Back in Numbers chapter 21, G-d commanded Moses to make a copper snake. When a person was bit by a snake, they would stare at this effigy, pray and be healed. But 800 years had passed and in the interim, people started worshipping the snake as an idol. Hizkiyah destroyed it, even though it was made by Moses at G-d’s command. The rabbis applaud this action as appropriate. Hizkiyah successfully rebelled against Assyrian rule, at least initially.
The siege of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (the “Ten Tribes”) began in the fourth year of Hizkiyah’s reign in Judah. By the sixth year of his reign, the Ten Tribes had been exiled. In the fourteenth year of Hizkiyah’s reign, Assyria turned their attention to Judah and captured many cities. Hizkiyah sent word to Sanherib , king of Assyria, offering to pay whatever he asked if they would just leave. Sanherib imposed a heavy tribute; Hizkiyah was forced to strip the gold from the Temple doors to meet the payment. The Assyrians took the money, but waited for a pretext to resume their conquest.
Sanherib sent messengers to King Hizkiyah. They impudently stood outside and called for him. Several of the king’s senior officers went out to meet with the Assyrian delegation.
The Assyrians said:
“Give Hizkiyah this message. What are you going to do, rely on Egypt like the Kingdom of Israel did? They’ll do you more harm than good! You trust in your G-d? The One Whose altars Hizkiyah removed? Tell you what, you give us a security deposit to ensure your faithfulness and we’ll give you 2,000 horses – as if you have 2,000 horsemen left to use them! Is it against your G-d that we’re acting? We’re fulfilling the orders of your G-d!”
Since all this was going on outside, in public, the Jewish delegation asked the Assyrians to speak in Aramaic so the average person walking by wouldn’t over hear, but the Assyrians refused. “Did my king send this message only to your king? It’s for all these people! When we conquer you, they’ll eat their own waste along with you! Don’t let Hizkiyah fool you! He can’t save you. If you give in, the king of Assyria will relocate you all to other lands just as nice as this one, where you can live in peace. Your G-d won’t save you – none of the gods of the other nations we conquered saved them!”
Hizkiyah had instructed his men not to reply to the Assyrians, so they just took the message and left. They tore their clothes in mourning. (The Talmud in Sanhedrin, page 60a, says that Ravshakeh, the Assyrian officer who did most of the talking, was actually an apostate Jew and they tore their garments because he blasphemed against G-d.)
Rabbi Leibtag examines the state of the nation of Israel under several kings, taking into account superpowers and prophets at each stage. He explores the causes for success of such kings as Ahab, who doesn't follow the word of God and yet is immensely successful economically and militarily. Furthermore, the rabbi examines the three missions Eliyahu is charged with before his retirement, and shows that only after the fulfillment of these three missions would the nation rid themselves of Izebel.
Recorded on Saturday Mar. 28th, 2015 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hohma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.
Melachim II Perek 17-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Hoshea, the last king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom of the Ten Tribes) reigned for nine years. He was conquered by Assyria and became a vassal state.
Israel paid Assyria a yearly tribute. One year, Hoshea did not pay his tribute. He also tried to get Egypt to help him fight off the Assyrians. Shalmaneser, then king of Assyria, found out and he didn’t care much for Hoshea’s insubordination. Assyria started a three-year siege of Israel.
Assyria finally captured Samaria, the capital of Israel. The people were exiled and resettled in other lands.
That was it for the Ten Tribes. They would not be swayed from their idolatrous ways, even though G-d had corrected them many times. He sent many prophets, but the people persisted. So, G-d permitted them to be exiled and only the kingdom of Judah (including Benjamin and Levi) remained. Judah wasn’t perfect, but the kingdom of Israel had pushed away from G-d with both hands.
So, the Jews of Israel were exiled and the conquered people of other nations were moved into Samaria. G-d sent lions to attack the people in Samaria. When the king of Assyria found out, he had a Kohen (priest) brought to Samaria to convert the people there to Judaism. They started to worship G-d, but they also continued to worship their old idols. They continued to serve G-d, but not sincerely. One of the major populations in Samaria was originally from a place called Kuta. These people are the Kutim (Cutheans) whose status as Jews is frequently discussed in the Talmud.
Melachim II Perek 16-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union: Evil kings were the norm for Israel, but the exception for Judah. Sadly, Ahaz was one of those exceptions. He was extremely idolatrous, going so far as to pass his son through fire as a form of worship to the idol Molech. Aram and Israel teamed up to make war on Judah, but they did not defeat Ahaz in battle. Aram did recapture one city and they evicted the Jews who were living there.
Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglas Pileser, the king of Assyria. He sent as much gold and silver as was in the Temple and the palace for Assyria to drive away the invading forces of Aram and Israel. Tiglas Pileser drove away the invading armies and killed the king of Aram, but he did not return the captured territory to Judah.
When the idolatrous Ahaz went to visit Tiglas Pileser, he saw the altar of the Assyrian idol and had a replica built in the Temple courtyard. He instructed that this was to be the main altar from now on, and Uriah the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) complied. Not only did this altar not belong in the Temple, Ahaz insisted on bringing sacrifices on it, even though he was not a Kohen (priest). The true altar became secondary.
Ahaz went further to undermine the Temple service. He had the stands under the wash lavers and the “sea” removed and he disposed of the awning that the Kohanim would use for shelter on Shabbos when they changed shifts. He also made a personal shortcut to the palace.
The reign of Ahaz was sixteen years. When he died, he was replaced by his son Hizkiyah , one of the greatest of all Jewish kings.
Melachim II Perek 15-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Azaryah became king of Judah at the age of 16 and he was a righteous king. Like his predecessors, however, he did not dispose of the private altars that people were accustomed to using. He became a leper, so he had to be isolated for the rest of his life. Azaryah reigned for 52 years and was succeeded by his son Yotam.
Zecharyah succeeded his father Yaravam as king of Israel. He was an evil king and reigned just six months. Zecharya was assassinated in public and nobody seems to have protested. His assassin, Shalum ben Yaveish, claimed the throne in his place.
Shalum reigned for one month before he was assassinated by Menahem ben Gadi, who became king in his place. Menahem was another evil king. Menahem tried to subjugate Tifsach, an adjacent city in Aram. Because they would not submit, he used unnecessary and unacceptable levels of force. (Rashi explains verse 16 to mean that Menahem cut open the pregnant women.)
Pul, king of Assyria, made inroads into Israel, so Menahem paid him off not to invade. He taxed his citizens heavily to cover costs. Pul left. Menahem reigned ten years and was succeeded by his son Pekahyah.
Pekahya was also evil. He reigned two years and was assassinated by Pekah, one of his own officers.
Pekah reigned for twenty years and was yet another evil king. During his reign, Tiglas Pileser, king of Assyria, captured the Tribe of Naftali and exiled them. (This was Assyria’s modus operandi; they would exile conquered peoples to other conquered lands, mixing them up in the process. It’s how ten Tribes later came to be “lost.”) As we will see in Isaiah chapter 8, the Tribe of Zebulon was exiled at this time, as well. Hoshea ben Eilah assassinated Pekah and became the last king of the Northen Kingdom of Israel.
Back to Judah: As mentioned above, Azaryah, AKA Uziyah, died and was succeeded by his son Yotam. Yotam was righteous but, again, he did not remove the private altars. He did make improvements to the Temple gate. Yotam reigned sixteen years and was succeeded by his son Ahaz.
Melachim II Perek 14-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Yehoash, king of Judah, was succeeded by his son Amasyah. (Remember, there were two kings named Yehoash. The one from Judah was the last surviving descendant of Solomon, who was hidden and raised in the Temple.) Amasyah was like his father – overall good, but not righteous to the extent David had been. When his position was secure, he executed the assassins who had killed his father. He did not kill the assassins’ sons, because the Torah prohibits such behavior. (Such action could have been justified as a deterrent to future rebels, but Amasyah wouldn’t have it.) Amasyah defeated Edom in battle and became haughty; he thereupon challenged Yehoash, king of Israel, to war.
Yehoash, king of Israel, replied with a metaphor. “The thornbush wanted to marry his children to the cedar’s children. Not only is the thought ridiculous, the thornbush got trampled by an animal.” (In short, Yehoash was telling Amasyah not to think too much of himself or he would come to regret it.) Amasyah wouldn’t listen, so they went to war. Sure enough, Israel completely routed Judah. Yehoash captured Amasyah, he breached the wall of Jerusalem, and he plundered the Temple and palace. (Even if the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were at war, Yehoash should still have refrained from plundering the Temple.) Yehoash of Israel reigned for 16 years. He died and was succeeded by his son Yaravam (Jeroboam).
Amasyah lived for fifteen years after Yehoash died. There was a plot against him and he ran away to Lachish, but his enemies pursued him and killed him there. He was succeeded by his son Azaryah, who was 16 years old.
Yaravam (the second king of Israel to bear that name) was just as sinful as his namesake. He reclaimed land that had been captured from Israel in accordance with a prophecy from Jonah (which is not recorded). Even though Yaravam was evil, G-d saw the people were suffering and sent salvation through him. Yaravam reigned for 41 years and was succeeded by his son, Zecharyah.
Melachim II Perek 13-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Yehoahaz, son of Yehu, had become king of Israel and he was one of the bad kings, perpetuating the evil of his predecessors. The people were led into idolatry and G-d became angry with them, so He allowed Aram to invade and oppress them. Yehoahaz pleaded to G-d, so G-d provided relief and they dwelled securely again. Nevertheless, the golden calves of Yaravam and the Ashera trees remained in place. The army of Israel was all but destroyed by Aram.
Yehoahaz reigned 17 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoash (not the same as the king of Judah by the same name). Yehoash the son of Yehoahaz was an evil king, who sinned and led his nation to sin.
The prophet Elisha became sick with what would be his final illness. Even though he was a wicked king, Yehoash of Israel went to visit him. Yehoash mourned the loss of Elisha’s merits from the nation.
Elisha had Yehoash take a bow and shoot an arrow in the direction of Aram. He then prophesized that Israel would beat Aram into submission. (A prophecy accompanied by a physical act is irrevocable.) Elisha then told Yehoash to shoot the remaining arrows into the ground. Yehoash shot three, then stopped. Elisha became angry. “Had you emptied the quiver, you would have totally destroyed Aram! Now you will only strike them three times!” Elisha died and was buried.
Later, some people were burying a body when soldiers from Moab started approaching. They quickly threw the body into Elisha’s tomb and ran away. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the corpse woke up and walked out of the tomb.
Hazael, king of Aram, oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Yehoahaz, but G-d did not permit the Jewish nation to be destroyed. Hazael died and was succeeded by his son, Ben-Hadad. Yehoash, son of Yehoahaz, struck Aram three times, as Elisha had said, and retrieved the cities that Hazael had captured from Israel.
Melachim II Perek 12-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Yoash – also known as Yehoash – became king of Judah at the age of seven. He was a righteous king, but he did not remove the private altars.
When Yehoash saw the Temple in a state of disrepair, he decided that it was time to fix things up. He instructed the Kohanim (“priests”) to solicit donations and to use them to repair the Temple. Many years passed and the work still was not done. (The Kohanim were not motivated to act as fundraisers.) Yehoash therefore hit upon a new plan. Yehoyada the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) took a chest and drilled a hole in the top, effectively inventing the pushka. The donation box was placed next to the altar. When it was full, the money would be counted out and given to the workmen, who would buy lumber and stones. In this way, the repairs of the Temple were finally carried out.
Hazael, king of Aram, conquered Gath and then set his eye on Jerusalem. Yehoash took all the treasures of the Temple and his palace and sent them to Hazael as a pay-off not to invade. Yehoash then fled Jerusalem.
His own men rebelled against him and murdered him. Yehoash reigned for forty years and was succeeded by his son, Amasyah.
Melachim II Perek 11-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Atalya, mother of Ahaziyah, saw her son was dead and took the opportunity to eradicate his heirs, her own grandchildren. She wiped out all the descendants of Solomon, through whom the throne is transmitted, except for one. This one was saved by Yehosheva.
Who was Yehosheva? She was: Yehoram’s daughter, Ahaziyah’s sister, wife of Yehoyada, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). She was Atalya’s own daughter.
So, Yehosheva took her infant nephew Yoash and hid him from Atalya. He was hidden in the Temple for six years, while Atalya usurped the throne. In the seventh year, Yehoyada called together the leaders of the people and revealed to them that a rightful heir was still alive. It was time to restore him.
Yehoyada divided his forces so as to protect the young king from any who would harm him. With everyone in place, Yehoyada crowned Yoash with David’s ceremonial crown (see II Samuel 12) and gave him the Torah scroll that all kings must carry. The people cheered, “Long live the king!”
Atalya heard the commotion coming from the Temple and went to investigate. When she saw what was going on, she tore her clothes and shouted, “It’s a coup!” Yehoyada had Atalya arrested, so that she wouldn’t be executed in the Temple. She was marched through the back streets to the service entrance of the palace and was executed there.
Yehoyada then forged a covenant between the people and G-d, and between the people and the king. The people tore down the temple of Baal in Judah and smashed the idols. They marched the new king to the palace via the public thoroughfare and placed him on the throne. The Navi doesn’t tell us any specifics of Atalya’s reign, except that the people rejoiced that it was over.
Melachim II Perek 10-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Izebel may have been the queen, but Ahab had other wives and concubines. Through them, he had 70 sons and grandsons, most of whom were in Samaria. Yehu wrote to the governors of Yizreel and Samaria asking if they were going to support him or try to prop up one of Ahab’s descendants as a successor. Seeing that Yehu had defeated both Yehoram and Ahaziyah, the elders of the cities decided not to oppose him. Yehu said, “If so, you must send me the heads of Ahab’s heirs.” Having no alternative, the elders complied. Yehu had the heads placed in two piles by the gates. He addressed the nation assuring them that they were guiltless in the death of these men, as it had been ordained by G-d in Eliyahu’s prophecy (I Kings 21).
Yehu struck down Ahab’s remaining descendants in Yizreel, as well as Ahab’s supporters, until none remained. Yehu was returning to Samaria when he met some relatives of Ahaziyah, the king of Judah he had killed. Yehu had them captured and killed as part of his purge. (Remember that Ahab’s children had married into the royal line of Judah, as well.)
Next, Yehu met Yehonadav, a distinguished person. He asked Yehonadav if he had his support. When Yehonadav said yes, Yehu brought him into his chariot. They came to Samaria where Yehu finished the job of wiping out Ahab’s heirs. He then did a seemingly-bizarre thing. “Ahab only worshipped Baal a little,” he proclaimed. “Just wait until you see how much I’M going to worship Baal!”
He called all the priests of Baal to him, but he was really “working undercover” in order to trap them. He called a big “Baal festival” and Baal-worshippers came from all over the country to the Temple of Baal in Samaria. No G-d-worshippers allowed. Yehu gave each attendee a special garment to wear (this enabled them to be identified). Yehu posted 80 guards and charged them, on pain of death, not to let any of the Baal-worshippers escape. Yehu waited until after the sacrifice was completed, then he had his men strike them down. They burned the idols and demolished the temple of Baal. The site where it stood was turned into a public restroom, for good measure.
He may have destroyed the worship of Baal in Israel, but Yehu left the golden calves of Yeravam in place. His intention wasn’t religious but political: like Yeravam, he didn’t want the Jews of Israel going to the Temple in Judah. Nevertheless, this was a grievous oversight. However, he had done very well in destroying the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, so G-d sent word through a prophet (Rashi says Jonah again) that Yehu’s dynasty would last four more generations. With this assurance, he could have then safely removed the golden calves without fear, but he still didn’t. This displeased G-d, which led to Yehu’s kingdom being weakened, not strengthened. Hazael, king of Aram, started making incursions on Israel’s borders.
Yehu reigned 28 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoahaz.
Elisha, who we see as the personal navi, performing miracles for the most simple people (in contrast to Eliyahu, who only performed national miracles), seems to take a 180 degree turn. Why? Why does he seemingly neglect the Shunamite Woman to the point where he doesn't even know she's barren? Even when he does find out he never really speaks to her directly; everything is done through Gehazi, his assistant. Why and how does Elisha perform miracles without God? Does God approve? Or does the fact that He killed the child show disapproval? Elisha goes through a transformation in these perakim, rids himself of the surrounding corruption, and reestablishes himself as the personal navi for the nation.
This class was graciously sponsored by Rachel Tawil in loving memory of her grandmother Miriam bat Leah A"H.
Recorded on Monday Mar. 23rd, 2015 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hohma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.
Melachim II Perek 9-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.
A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Elisha called one of his students. (Rashi says this is Yonah – Jonah, who was later swallowed by a fish. We’ll officially meet Yonah later, in chapter 14.) Elisha instructed him to take a flask of oil and anoint Yehu as king of Israel. After doing so, Yonah was to run away, before Yehoram, the current king, could find out about it.
Yonah found Yehu, a commander in the army, sitting with the other officers. He took him aside privately to give him a message. When they were alone, Yonah anointed Yehu and informed him that G-d was making him king. Part of his job was to strike down the house of Ahab, as per G-d’s word. Yonah then ran away, as instructed.
Yehu’s colleagues thought Yonah was a lunatic. “What did that meshugga want?” they asked. (The Navi actually uses the word “meshugga,” by the way.) Yehu replied, “Nothing – just the ramblings of a crazy person.” They didn’t believe him and pressed for details. He told them what happened and they proclaimed him king. Yehu said, “Fine, if it’s what you want, then I’ll be king. But no one may leave the city so that Yehoram doesn’t find out yet.”
Yehu rode to Yizreel, where Yehoram was recuperating from his wounds and Ahaziyah, king of Judah, was visiting him. The city watchman reported to Yehoram that a group on horses was coming. Yehoram sent a rider to ask if they came in peace. When asked, Yehu said, “What’s it to you? Get in the back of my ranks!” The watchman reported that the messenger hadn’t returned, so Yehoram sent a second and the same thing happened again. As the invading force drew closer, the watchman recognized the leader as Yehu. Hearing this, Yehoram got out of his sickbed and took his chariot to meet Yehu. They crossed paths by the vineyard that Yehoram’s parents, Ahab and Izebel, had killed Naboth to acquire.
Yehoram asked Yehu if he came in peace. Yehu replied, “What does peace mean to your idolatrous witch of a mother?” From this antagonistic response, Yehoram knew it was a trap. He tried to flee, but Yehu killed him with an arrow. He then had the body thrown into Naboth’s field as a sort of retribution for the murder.
Ahaziyah, king of Judah, had accompanied Yehoram and had also fled. Yehu pursued him and had him killed, as well. He was brought back to Jerusalem and buried with the other kings of Judah.
Yehu entered the city. Izebel knew he was coming, so she got dressed and put on make up. Izebel stood there looking out her window, nonchalantly. When he entered, she said, “Is that you, Zimri?” referring to the Zimri who assassinated King Elah and seized the throne for himself in I Kings chapter 16. Yehu instructed his men to push Izebel out the window. Her blood ran down the wall and Yehu trampled her with his horse. After eating and drinking, Yehu ordered that Izebel be given a proper burial, but it was too late. Dogs had eaten her, as prophesized. The only parts remaining were her skull, feet and hands.
