{"id":56983,"date":"2018-07-09T17:43:02","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-238\/"},"modified":"2023-01-03T08:19:28","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T06:19:28","slug":"wall-238","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-238\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Prophets-I Samuel-6"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"238","date":"20260728","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"6","chapter_main_number":"238","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"57017","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"I Samuel Chapter 6 - Read by Michael Bernstein ","post_title":"I Samuel Chapter 6 - Read by Michael Bernstein","slug":"i-samuel-chapter-6-read-by-michael-bernstein","old_id":"57017","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"238","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"JPS Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"I Samuel 6","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"read by Michael Bernstein","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/929-bible\/JPS_Audio_Bible_I_Samuel_Chapter_6_read_by_Michael_Bernstein","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"6","chapter_main_number":"238","date":"20260728","wall_id":"238"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"110923","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Of Golden Rats And Copper Snakes ","post_title":"Of Golden Rats And Copper Snakes","slug":"of-golden-rats-and-copper-snakes","old_id":"110923","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"238","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Were the Philistines taking a page from the Israelite playbook?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The Philistines ended up with more than they bargained for. Thinking they were victorious having captured the Ark, their reward was a plague of hemorrhoids. Shifting the Ark around to different cities was not helping either. The Philistine people approach their priests and mystics and seek a plan for sending the Ark back. The decision is made to send the Ark along with five golden rat statues and five golden hemorrhoid statues (whatever that is).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Why did the Philistine priests choose this set-up? It\u2019s possible that they were trying to copy things that they had heard of the Israelites. The Philistines themselves had referenced the Israelite Exodus a few times in the past few chapters, and here in verse 6, so they were aware of the Exodus story. In the wilderness, God afflicted the Israelites with venomous snakes. When the people complained to Moses, God had him craft a copper snake to place on a large pole. The people would look up at the snake and would be healed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Perhaps the Priests knew of this story, and so they had the Philistines craft these statues of the sources of the plague. The copper snake did not heal the people. It only healed them when they used it to focus on God and repent for their sins. That could be the message for the Israelites. After they were first routed, the Israelites thought they could win the battle by bringing the Ark to the fight. They wrongly put their faith in a golden object, and not in God. Unlike the Philistine gods, God does not reside in an object. 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In 2010, Halbertal was named a member of Israel\u2019s Academy for the Sciences and the Humanities.","short_description":"Prof. Moshe Halbertal is a professor of Jewish thought and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a professor of law at New York University (NYU) and the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":56444,"alt":"","title":"Moshe-Halbertal","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","width":500,"height":500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","medium_large-width":500,"medium_large-height":500,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","large-width":500,"large-height":500,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","1536x1536-width":500,"1536x1536-height":500,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","2048x2048-width":500,"2048x2048-height":500,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","post_full_size-width":500,"post_full_size-height":500,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal-420x420.png","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"238","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"As power becomes an end for a sovereign clinging desperately to it, other intrinsically worthy ends turn into disposable means","post_main_content_content":"

Our author\u2019s initial and arguably most striking revelation concerning power is that the paramount aim of those who successfully attain supreme authority is often reduced to nothing more exalted or idealistic then staying in power. This obsessional fixation on the means and trappings of power, independent of the greater or lesser purposes it can serve, defines not only the psychic life of many of those who exercise great political power, but also the way in which politics is institutionally structured to sustain and secure the ruler\u2019s privileges and capacities. Whenever retaining hold on high office, rather than realizing an ideological vision or implementing a political program, becomes the dominant aim of politics, sovereign power becomes wielded as an end in itself, even while being publicly justified as a means for providing collective security. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Although power is always justified to subjects as a means of repelling foreign conquest and attaining other collective goods, for the one who exercises it, sovereign power may easily turn into something desired for its own sake. This inversion of a means into an end, all too common in modern as well as archaic politics, causes another inversion in turn. As power becomes an end for a sovereign clinging desperately to it, other intrinsically worthy ends turn into disposable means.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rulers who wield their authority in the service of power as an end in itself regularly convert such ends as love, loyalty, the sacred, and moral obligation into mere means for eliminating dangerous rivals and staving off the loss of power, a loss that they morbidly dread.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Instrumentalizing such inherently valuable ends and turning them into mere means has a further fateful consequence for human politics. Since sovereigns are always able, and often tempted, to turn morality into an instrument, their observable actions become chronically ambiguous. Observers of such sovereign actions find themselves in perennial doubt as to their genuineness. Is the moral justification adduced by the wielder of power a mere pretext covering a purely self-serving political motivation, or is the action principles and driven by a moral quest? As our author details with exceptional subtlety, the irresolvable ambiguities of political action and passion are rooted in the deeply enigmatic and hugely consequential relation between public justification and private motivation. Although - and indeed because - the instrumentalization of morality is pervasive in political life, the political and the moral are thoroughly intertwined in ways in which even the sovereign himself cannot always disentangle. The exploration of these interconnected themes - the double reversal of turning means into ends and ends into means that lies at the heart of politics and the resulting ambiguity of political action - runs through much of the Book of Samuel, but it initially comes into focus as our author meticulously examines the corrosive impact of the psychological and political imperative to retain power on the life of Saul, the first king and the first genuine political figure known to the Bible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

E<\/span>xcerpts from The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 Moshe Halbertal and Stephen Holmes, Princeton University Press, 2017, pp. 1<\/span>7-18<\/span>. 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Samuel","chapter":"6","chapter_main_number":"238","date":"20260728","wall_id":"238"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"423","name":"Politics","old_id":"823"},{"term_id":"436","name":"Morality","old_id":"836"},{"term_id":"503","name":"Power","old_id":"903"},{"term_id":"839","name":"Samuel","old_id":"1239"}]},{"order":4,"id":"57155","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Ark Comes Home ","post_title":"The Ark Comes Home","slug":"the-ark-comes-home","old_id":"57155","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"238","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"With a few extra\u2026 presents?","post_main_content_content":"

Seven months after the events described in the previous chapter, the Philistines eventually awakened to the fact that their misfortunes were the result of keeping the Ark and they decided to return it. To further propitiate the God of Israel, whom they had offended, they sent along gifts. Both the manner of the Ark\u2019s return and the nature of those gifts deserve further attention.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As to the return, the Philistine priests and magicians seem to have been intent on challenging the assumption that the Ark was, indeed, responsible for their bad luck, so they contrived to have it placed on a wagon drawn by inexperienced beasts (i.e., no prior inclination to a particular path) and without a driver so that it would return to Israel only if a higher force so directed it. This is indicative of the obstinacy of the Philistines who, despite all the deaths and inconveniences they and their gods had suffered (see our comments to chapter 5), were yet loathe to acknowledge the inadequacies of their own beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

More striking, though, are the presents they sent along: \u201cFive golden hemorrhoids, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords\u201d (4). Recall\u2014from the previous chapter\u2014that the chastisement the Philistines suffered on account of their capture of the Ark included a plague of hemorrhoids. In the same manner that a folk remedy for a hangover is another drink, they intuited a link between their suffering and its cause and imagined that surrendering these particular golden objects would provide atonement for their disrespect to the Ark and its Master.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The unguided wagon and its precious cargo ended up at the field of an inhabitant of Beit Shemesh named Joshua (!), where \u201cthey cleaved the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt-offering unto the Lord\u201d (14), and yet, God \u201csmote of the men of Beit Shemesh, because they had gazed upon the ark of the Lord\u201d (19). Curiously, this [past] week\u2019s Torah reading included a verse warning the Levites \u201clest they glimpse the sacred [vessels of the Tabernacle] as they are being covered and die\u201d (Numbers 4:20).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: The Return of the Ark by the Philistines, by J James Tissot (1836-1902) \/ wikimedia <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":57157,"alt":"","title":"isam6-ark","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark.jpg","width":3672,"height":2587,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-300x211.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":211,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-768x541.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":541,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-1024x721.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":721,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1082,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1443,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-1200x845.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":845,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-596x420.jpg","home_baner-width":596,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Ark Comes Home","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"With a few extra\u2026 presents?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":57157,"alt":"","title":"isam6-ark","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark.jpg","width":3672,"height":2587,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-300x211.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":211,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-768x541.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":541,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-1024x721.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":721,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1082,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1443,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-1200x845.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":845,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-ark-596x420.jpg","home_baner-width":596,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"6","chapter_main_number":"238","date":"20260728","wall_id":"238"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"670","name":"Ark","old_id":"1070"},{"term_id":"864","name":"Philistines","old_id":"1264"}]},{"order":5,"id":"57583","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Singing Cows? Singing Cows! ","post_title":"Singing Cows? Singing Cows!","slug":"singing-cows-singing-cows","old_id":"57583","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"238","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"To sin is human, but to praise is - bovine...","post_main_content_content":"

Our chapter tells of the return of the Ark to the Israelites by the Philistines after it had been in their possession seven months: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

They took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the Lord on the cart \u2026 Then the cows went straight toward Bet Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left (I Samuel 6:10-12). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The biblical phrase \u201cthe cows went straight\u201d (va-yisharnah ha-parot<\/em>) \u201clowing as they went\u201d (halkhu halokh ve-ga\u2019o<\/em>) was interpreted to mean that \u201cthe cows sang\u201d all the way to Bet Shemesh (understanding yisharnah<\/em>\u00a0not as \u201cthey went straight\u201d \u2013 yishru<\/em> -- but as \u201cthey sang\u201d -- yashiru<\/em>). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

This led to a rabbinic discussion (Genesis Rabbah 54:4) of just what song did the two cows sing: \u201cThen the cows went straight\u201d -- What is the meaning of the word va-yishsarnah<\/em>? \u2014 Said Rabbi Yohanan in the name of R. Meir: They uttered song. Rav Zutra bar Tuviah said in the name of Rav: They directed their faces straight towards the Ark and uttered song. \u00a0And what did they sing? \u2014 Rabbi Yohanan said in the name of Rabbi Meir: They sang the song beginning with the words: \u201cThen sang Moses and the Children of Israel\u201d (Exodus 15:1). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

But, Rabbi Yohanan then gave his own opinion that they sang: <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you (Isaiah 12:4-6). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabbi Shimon ben Laqish said: They sang: \u201cA Psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him\u201d (Psalms 98:1). Rabbi Eliezer said: \u201cThe Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake\u201d (Psalms 99:1). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabbi Shmuel bar Nahmani said: \u201cThe Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure\u201d (Psalms 93:1). <\/span><\/p>\r\n

But Rabbi Yitzhaq Nappaha said: They sang the following original song: \u201cSing, O sing, acacia tree (see Exodus 25:10). Ascend in all thy gracefulness. With golden weave they cover thee. The sanctuary-palace hears thy eulogy. With various jewels art thou adorned\u201d. Rav Ashi connected the song cited by Rabbi Yitzhaq with the biblical passage: \u201cWhenever the ark set out, Moses said, \u2018\u201cRise up, Lord! \u00a0May your enemies be scattered. May your foes flee before you\u201d (Numbers 10:35).<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":57584,"alt":"","title":"isam6-cow2","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":720,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":720,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Singing Cows? Singing Cows!","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"To sin is human, but to praise is - bovine...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":57584,"alt":"","title":"isam6-cow2","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-1024x576.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":576,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":720,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":720,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-1200x675.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":675,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam6-cow2-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"6","chapter_main_number":"238","date":"20260728","wall_id":"238"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"660","name":"Animals","old_id":"1060"},{"term_id":"802","name":"Song","old_id":"1202"}]},{"order":6,"id":"57153","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Vermin and Tumors ","post_title":"Vermin And Tumors","slug":"vermin-and-tumors","old_id":"57153","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":54356,"post_title":"Robert Alter","slug":"robert-alter","old_id":"54356","first_name":"Robert ","last_name":"Alter","description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. He has written over twenty books, focusing on such topics as the European novel from the 18th century to the present, contemporary American fiction, and modern Hebrew literature. He has also written extensively on the literary aspects of the Bible. His most recent work is his monumental three volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019 - from which the selections in 929 are taken. ","short_description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, and author of the three-volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. 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\"And they placed the Ark of the Lord on the cart and the chest and the golden mice and the images of their tumors\" (6:11).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This whole scene has a certain grotesquely comic and incongruous effect: Israel\u2019s most sacred cult object drawn in a cart by two cows with swollen udders, and alongside the Ark golden images of vermin and tumors.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

[note: the JPS translation has \"hemorrhoids\" for \"tumors\"]. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, <\/span>The Hebrew Bible<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>vol. 2: Prophets, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc.<\/span> By permission of the author.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"From 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The capture of the Israelite Ark of the Covenant (see ch. 4) and its presence in Philistia caused all manner of difficulties for the Philistines (see ch. 5). Most significantly, the idol of the Philistine god Dagon in the temple at Ashdod collapsed and was broken (5:1-5), while the people themselves were stricken with a plague of uncertain identity (the traditional rendering is \u2018hemorrhoids\u2019) (5:6-12). In light of these events, the Philistines reach the rather simple decision to return the Ark to the Israelites (6:1-3).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Philistine priests and diviners (see v. 2) further state, just in case there was any opposition to this decision, \u201cAnd why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?\u201d (1 Sam 6:6) \u2013 with reference to Exodus 9:34, 10:1, in which passages the hearts of Pharaoh and his courtiers are hardened. This statement reveals that the Philistines had a basic knowledge of the Israelite national narrative (see also 1 Sam 4:8), or at least that the Israelite author accredits such to the Philistines. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

The verse continues with further words from the Philistine priests and diviners: \u00a0\u201cDid he not make a mockery of them? \u2013 and then they sent them forth and they departed?\u201d \u00a0The key word here is <\/span>hit\u02bfallel<\/span><\/em> \u2018make a mockery\u2019, a relatively rare term in Biblical Hebrew, occurring only seven times in the corpus. \u00a0But one of the other occurrences is in Ex. 10:2, \u201cthat you may recount in the hearing (lit. \u2018ears\u2019) of your sons and of your sons\u2019 sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians,\u201d spoken by God in advance of the eighth plague. \u00a0Well, that expectation by God came true \u2013 people are recounting how God make a mockery of the Egyptians \u2013 but ironically it is the Philistines (!) who recall God\u2019s actions against the Egyptians.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The two parts of 1 Sam 6:6 thus create an intertextual link with Ex. 10:1\u20132, with the first verse mentioning the hardening of the hearts of the Egyptians generally (in addition to Pharaoh) and with the second verse using the rare verb <\/span>hit\u02bfallel<\/span><\/em> \u2018make a mockery\u2019. This cannot be coincidental, but rather must speak to a larger picture. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Moshe Garsiel (Bar-Ilan University) has proposed that these and other parallel wordings between the Slavery-Plagues-Exodus account (in Exodus) and the Ark Narrative (in Samuel) direct the reader to consider the larger analogy of the two stories. The Ark, as it were, represents Israel: both are enslaved in a foreign land; God then defeats the foreign god\/gods and the foreign people, including via the sending of plagues; and finally the foreign power sends forth the captured people\/object, which is returned safely to its land.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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\u201cWhat hardens our hearts?\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Nelly Altenburger: Explore what could drive us to act like Pharaoh.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Sefaria Source Sheets - I Samuel 6","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Click to get links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"6","chapter_main_number":"238","date":"20260728","wall_id":"238"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":14,"id":"57152","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Points to Ponder - I Samuel 6 ","post_title":"Points to Ponder - I Samuel 6","slug":"points-to-ponder-i-samuel-6","old_id":"57152","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"238","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

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    1. Learning the Egyptian lesson<\/span><\/i>. The priest-like wizards compare the plagues the Philistines experienced to the plagues of Egypt. But since they don\u2019t want to end up like Pharaoh, they urge: \u201cDon\u2019t harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts. As you know, when He made a mockery of them, they had to let Israel go, and they departed\u201d (verse 6).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    2. Natural or miraculous?<\/span><\/i> As a sign to distinguish between the divine will and mere chance, the Philistines choose the cow\u2019s natural emotions: the motherly instinct of nursing cows whose calves are back home, and the spirit of freedom (cows who have never been yoked). Their behavior is clearly the opposite of these two powerful instincts - thus clearly demonstrating a supernatural intervention.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    3. Between mourning and rejoicing<\/span><\/i>. How different was the mood in verse 13: \u201cThe people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. They looked up and saw the Ark, and they rejoiced when they saw [it]\u201d from that of verse 19 \u201cThe people mourned, for He had inflicted a great slaughter upon the population.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
    4. What after all is the sin of the poor people of Beit Shemesh?<\/span><\/i> The commentators are not of one mind. It\u2019s a tough story.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

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