Author: Ben Zion
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Derech Hayam – lecture 17
The key to understanding Gezer is in the Torah instruction – not to return to Egypt by the way we came. Israel appear in history as an alternative to Egypt, and the way to Egypt is – Derech Hayam. That is why it was so important for Egypt to control it, and therefore no Jewish…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 11
Two final insights that complete the picture: What is the meaning of the phrase so common in the Bible: “From Dan to Be`er Sheva”? What distinguishes these two cities? And how does it relate to the unique altar found in Be`er Sheva? Why is Jacob afraid precisely when he is on his way to Be`er…
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Derech Hayam – lecture 16
After learning the meaning of the word “Gezer” in the Bible, let’s try to understand why the city of Gezer was called by this name? And in general – what is so special about “Gezer”? Why did the kings of Egypt always conquer Gezer and why did no Jewish leader ever conquer Gezer? Not Joshua,…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 10
We have established the message of Be`er Sheva – reaching out to other nations and the encounter with the material world. We still need to clarify: Whose approach was right – Avraham or Isaac? And does this message of Be`er Sheva appear later on in the Bible? Through Jacob’s encounter with Be`er Sheva, the Torah…
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Derech Hayam – lecture 15
The next site we will learn about on “Derech Hayam” is: “Gezer”. Is “Gezer” connected to carrots? What does the word “Gezer” mean in the Torah? We`ll see several places where the word “Gezer” appears in the Torah and see the special connection between “Gezer” and Rosh Hashanah! On Rosh Hashanah we pray that God…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 9
Did Isaac improve on Avraham’s actions also in what happened in Be`er Sheva? A careful analysis of the two parallel stories about the covenant with Avimelech in Be`er Sheva will show us the important difference between them: Isaac learned a lesson from Avimelech’s breach of the covenant, and therefore he does not call the city…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 8
Back to Abraham and Isaac… We began to explain how Isaac surpasses Abraham in all life events that both of them experienced in a similar way: in the way he treats his wife’s infertility, in the way he treats his wife when they are in a foreign land because of famine, in the way he…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 7
A special lesson in honor of the 100th anniversary of the great battle of the Australian Cavalry in World War I, in order to conquer Be`er Sheva. In light of everything we`ve learned, we now understand why it was so important for them to conquer the city. The British army under the command of General…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 6
The divine command to Isaac uses exactly the same phrase that was said to Abraham at the end of the Akedah: “And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” The message to Isaac is clear: the goal should be – all the nations of the earth. Not isolation. Looking further…
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Be`er Sheva – lecture 5
An analysis of the references in the Torah to “Be`er Lahai Roi” teaches us that it was a place that served as a place of solitude and meditation for Isaac, and that Isaac would come and go (“ba mibo”) there until his father died. Then he settled there permanently, as an expression of his solitary…