Author: Ben Zion

The big question: What does the Bible teach us, through the story of Shimshon, about the way to overcome Azza? The answer depends on another big question: Is Shimshon a positive and righteous figure? Or a negative figure who failed? These two possibilities are already seen in two interpretations of Jacob’s blessing to the tribe…

Why was the phrase “Let me die with the Philistines” used in the Defense Minister’s assessment of the situation during the Yom Kippur War in 1973? We will ask questions about the story of Shimshon’s death: Why did he commit suicide? Why does it sound like a personal revenge? Why is it mentioned again that…

We will analyze the story of Shimshon and Delilah. We ask – who was Delilah? Was she a Philistine or a Jew? We will provide several proofs, from maps of the land and from the description of the Bible itself – that she was actually Jewish! What does this teach us about the situation in…

Jacob’s Blessing to the Tribe of Dan – how is it Related to Shimshon and the Gates of Gaza? Our difficulty with the “Gates of Azza” continues even after the establishment of the state of Israel. We will get to know Kibbutz Nahal Oz, near the border with Azza, and hear the eulogy of Defense…

Shimshon uproots the gates of Gaza, and brings them to the mountain overlooking Hevron. What does this symbolize? We will examine 2 different interpretations: Is Shimshon still strong and active as before, or has he lost his motivation because of the lack of unity in the people.Is bringing the gates to the mountain overlooking Hevron…

Shimshon and the Tribe of Judah: Was he trying to recruit them? Why did they turn him over to the enemy? Judah`s actions express the deep reason for Shimshon’s (and the entire nation of Israel’s) downfall at the hands of the Philistines: lack of unity. We will see sources in the Quran that emphasize how…

We will learn another interpretation of Shimshon`s riddle – according to which the lion symbolizes Judah, and he was supposed to understand the message: to connect to the tribe of Judah. When Shimshon finally reaches the tribe of Judah, they… turn him over to the Philistines. We will ask if this is a permissible action…

In this lesson, we will understand how the riddle with the lion is the key to understanding Shimshon’s mission. His plan to save the people of Israel from the Philistines is explained through the riddle. The lion, the honey, the bees – they are all symbols in his great plan. And he kept it a…

The main story about Azza in the Tanach – is about Shimshon (Samson). Chazal (the Sages) say that Shimshon’s downfall begins and ends in Azza? Why? To what extent is God connected to Shimshon? We will start analyzing the first story – Shimshon’s riddle, and raise important questions about Shimshon’s relationship with his parents and…

The name “Azza” – what does it mean? Is it from “עוז” (Oz), meaning – positive strength? or is it from “עז/עזות” (Az/Azut), meaning negative aggressivness? Going over the Tanach, will give us an interesting insight on the nature of Azza.