{"id":99460,"date":"2018-07-09T18:03:04","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T15:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-1179\/"},"modified":"2022-02-02T19:45:51","modified_gmt":"2022-02-02T17:45:51","slug":"wall-1179","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-1179\/","title":{"rendered":"weekend-from-20250706-to-20250712"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"weekend","wall_id":"1179","date_from":"20250706","date_to":"20250712","book":"II Chronicles","books_group":"Writings","hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":"","updates_last_update":"28\/06\/2020","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"99950","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"2","name":"Vayechi - E Pluribus Unum? ","post_title":"Vayechi - E Pluribus Unum?","slug":"vayechi-e-pluribus-unum","old_id":"99950","type":"song","iframe":"","writer":{"id":70715,"post_title":"Judry Subar","slug":"judry-subar","old_id":"70715","first_name":"Judry ","last_name":"Subar","description":"Judry Subar, who lives in Potomac, Maryland, spent most of his professional career as a lawyer with the federal government in Washington, DC. Since his retirement, Jud has been involved in various writing and educational projects.","short_description":"Judry Subar spent most of his professional career as a lawyer with the federal government in Washington. Since his retirement, he has been involved in various writing and educational projects.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":70716,"alt":"","title":"judry subar","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","width":400,"height":400,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","medium_large-width":400,"medium_large-height":400,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","large-width":400,"large-height":400,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","1536x1536-width":400,"1536x1536-height":400,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","2048x2048-width":400,"2048x2048-height":400,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","post_full_size-width":400,"post_full_size-height":400,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/judry-subar.jpg","home_baner-width":400,"home_baner-height":400}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"1179","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"We must temper using our own resources to satisfy our individual human desires in recognition of our responsibility to preserve our Earth for the benefit of humanity.\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Mortality sets the scene for the concluding chapters of Genesis. <\/span>Vayechi<\/span><\/em>, the last portion of Genesis, tells us generally how both Jacob and Joseph prepared for their own deaths.\u00a0 The primary emotional force of the portion, though, lies in Jacob\u2019s decision to sermonize to his sons and grandsons as his life was ending.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jacob\u2019s deathbed statements can be understood in different ways.\u00a0 Were they blessings as suggested by Genesis 49:28?\u00a0 Were they prophecies as intimated in Genesis 49:1?\u00a0 According to one view found in Midrash Rabbah, when Jacob instructed his sons to listen to him muse about their personalities, he meant to signal that their twelve respective tribes were actually one social entity.\u00a0 Strange, though, to interpret Jacob\u2019s thoughts as being all about unity when he expressed himself so differently about his various children.\u00a0 Reuben, for example, is castigated for bad acts; Judah\u2019s future is foretold; Joseph is explicitly praised; and the only one of Jacob\u2019s last testaments that refers to more than one of the brothers uses decidedly negative rhetoric to comment on Simon\u2019s and Levi\u2019s predilection to operate as a team.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

How can we understand the tension between the Children of Israel acting as one unified whole and Jacob\u2019s focus on the individuality of his many children?\u00a0 Perhaps by reference to another tension, between the Land of Israel as one land for one people and the land\u2019s suitability as a place for separate families to lead separate lives.\u00a0 Earlier in Genesis, Abraham received a divine promise that the land would be the singular inheritance of his offspring.\u00a0 But the land was ultimately to be apportioned among family groups, as instructed in Numbers 26:55.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The process of dividing the land was so significant that, according to a midrashic interpretation of Leviticus 25:3, the prohibition against tilling the land during the sabbatical year \u2013 <\/span>shmita<\/em> <\/span>\u2013 would not be triggered until the partition was complete.\u00a0 Maybe the interplay between the unity of the land and its people on the one hand, and the fact that both the land and its residents can be subdivided into workable units on the other, reminds us that a healthy relationship between us and our planet (and our land) requires that we temper our inclination to use our own exclusive resources to satisfy our individual human desires in recognition of our responsibility to preserve our Earth and its constituent parts for the benefit of humanity.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n

This year is the shmita year: Shmita means a sabbatical year for the Earth but also for ourselves, our communities, and our world. Each week we continue to share thoughts on how the weekly parsha can help guide our thinking around shmita themes of work and rest, wealth and debt, responsible land use, fair labor practices, private and public property ownership, and physical and spiritual revitalization.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

See here for more information on the Hazon Shmita project, and its blogs.<\/a><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"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":"A Weekly Series: The \"Shmitah Parasha\" Blog","tile_main_caption":"Vayechi - E Pluribus Unum?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"in conjunction with Hazon.org","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1179"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"99814","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Jerusalem 2021\/5782 ","post_title":"Jerusalem 2021\/5782","slug":"jerusalem-2021-5782","old_id":"99814","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":89733,"post_title":"Felice Miryam Kahn Zisken","slug":"felice-miryam-kahn-zisken","old_id":"89733","first_name":"Felice Miryam ","last_name":"Kahn Zisken","description":"Felice Miryam Kahn Zisken is a poet and translator, independent writing and editing professional","short_description":"Felice Miryam Kahn Zisken is a poet and translator, independent writing and editing professional","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":90272,"alt":"","title":"felice kahn zisken","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken.jpg","width":1620,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken.jpg","2048x2048-width":1620,"2048x2048-height":1080,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/felice-kahn-zisken-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"892","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"mystery clarified \/ now and then \/ by other mysteries","post_main_content_content":"

And David assembled all of the leaders of Israel\u2026 to Jerusalem<\/em>
\r\nI Chronicles 28
\r\n
\r\nJerusalem is a port city on the shore of eternity<\/em>
\r\nYehuda Amichai
\r\n
\r\nOcean rising
\r\non the Jerusalem horizon
\r\nmisty orange aquamarine
\r\n
\r\nmystery clarified
\r\nnow and then
\r\nby other mysteries.
\r\n
\r\nimage:\u00a0 Talya Zisken Yoskovich, courtesy of the author<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":99815,"alt":"","title":"1chron28-fmkz kotel","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel.jpg","width":3888,"height":2592,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"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":"929 Poetry Corner","tile_main_caption":"Jerusalem 2021\/5782","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"mystery clarified \/ now and then \/ by other mysteries","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":99815,"alt":"","title":"1chron28-fmkz kotel","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel.jpg","width":3888,"height":2592,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/1chron28-fmkz-kotel-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"I Chronicles","chapter":"28","chapter_main_number":"892","date":"20290129","wall_id":"892"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":3,"id":"99948","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"The Triumph Of Letting Someone Else Finish Your Work ","post_title":"The Triumph Of Letting Someone Else Finish Your Work","slug":"the-triumph-of-letting-someone-else-finish-your-work","old_id":"99948","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":46656,"post_title":"Molly Morris","slug":"molly-morris","old_id":"46656","first_name":"Molly ","last_name":"Morris ","description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"893","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"True leadership can be seen in continuity of vision and purpose\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

King David knows for certain that it will be his son, not him, who sees the fruition of the building of the First Temple. Though it\u2019s been David\u2019s lifelong dream to build this House of God, he accepts that the timing is not right, and that his mission is a little different than what he envisioned for himself. The closing chapter of 1 Chronicles leads us through King David\u2019s progression of preparations for the building of the Temple that he will not live to see.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In his address, David enumerates all that he has prepared himself: sourcing and gathering materials and establishing a treasury. Next, David speaks of the national leaders: leaders of tribes, of thousands and of hundreds, who also gave willingly to support the building fund. And finally, we learn that \u201canyone who had stones to donate, gave them to the treasury (29:8).\u201d David concludes his address by blessing God and expressing gratitude on behalf of himself and the nation for the God-given ability to donate (29:14). Finally, 1 Chronicles concludes with the coronation of King Solomon and the death of King David.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That David came so close to realizing what he thought would be his destiny, without actually reaching it, is reminiscent of Moses\u2019 death on the threshold of the Israelites crossing into the land of Israel. Although we may understand that God orchestrated these events, we can\u2019t help but feel a sense of loss for Moses and David. But there is a leadership lesson in these stories that can help us see them through a different lens.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Moses\u2019 successor, Joshua, led the nation into Israel to conquer and settle the land that God bestowed on them. Who did Joshua learn from and where did the nation\u2019s courage, determination, and faith in a favorable outcome come from? From the inspirational leadership of Moses. Not only did Moses demonstrate the qualities that his successors would need, he empowered new leaders and a nation to continue the mission. Similarly, King David\u2019s leadership informed his son\u2019s success and inspired the entire nation. David actively worked toward a goal that would only be reached by a future generation. The rest of the leadership and the populace followed suit alongside David, as noted in this chapter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Moses and David\u2019s ultimate triumph was that their goals were attained by those who came after them. Perhaps true leadership is not measured by the completion of your mission, but that the vision has been so clearly delivered as to enable future leaders or a community to continue your work. As the late Colin Powell said, \u201cThe primary role of a leader is to convey to followers a sense of purpose, vision and mission.\u201d In that, there was no failure to deliver by David or Moses.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54862,"alt":"","title":"jo-end-leadership","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","width":696,"height":348,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership-300x150.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":150,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","medium_large-width":696,"medium_large-height":348,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","large-width":696,"large-height":348,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","1536x1536-width":696,"1536x1536-height":348,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","2048x2048-width":696,"2048x2048-height":348,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","post_full_size-width":696,"post_full_size-height":348,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","home_baner-width":696,"home_baner-height":348}},"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 Triumph Of Letting Someone Else Finish Your Work","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"True leadership can be seen in continuity of vision and purpose","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54862,"alt":"","title":"jo-end-leadership","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","width":696,"height":348,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership-300x150.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":150,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","medium_large-width":696,"medium_large-height":348,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","large-width":696,"large-height":348,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","1536x1536-width":696,"1536x1536-height":348,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","2048x2048-width":696,"2048x2048-height":348,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","post_full_size-width":696,"post_full_size-height":348,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/jo-end-leadership.png","home_baner-width":696,"home_baner-height":348}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"I Chronicles","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"893","date":"20290130","wall_id":"893"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":4,"id":"99861","color":"#efefef","size":"1","name":"Blessing God ","post_title":"Blessing God","slug":"blessing-god","old_id":"99861","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38047,"post_title":"Shoshana Michael Zucker","slug":"shoshana-michael-zucker","old_id":"38047","first_name":"Shoshana Michael ","last_name":"Zucker ","description":"Shoshana Michael Zucker is a translator and editor by profession, but would much rather be learning and teaching Torah. A graduate of Barnard College, she made aliyah in 1983 and now lives in Kfar Saba where she is an active member of the Masorti Congregation Hod veHadar. ","short_description":"Shoshana Michael Zucker is a translator and editor and lives in Kfar Saba \r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38048,"alt":"","title":"Shoshana Michael Zucker","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","width":231,"height":310,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker-224x300.jpg","medium-width":224,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","medium_large-width":231,"medium_large-height":310,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","large-width":231,"large-height":310,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","1536x1536-width":231,"1536x1536-height":310,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","2048x2048-width":231,"2048x2048-height":310,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","post_full_size-width":231,"post_full_size-height":310,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","home_baner-width":231,"home_baner-height":310}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"893","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Through a commitment to act with loving kindness in this world, people can \u201cbless God\u201d\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

\u201cDavid blessed the LORD in front of all the assemblage\u201d ( verse 10).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

How can a person, even a king, bless God?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The answer depends on how we understand the word <\/span>barech<\/span><\/em> \u201cbless\u201d There are many possibilities; following is one perspective.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Returning to Genesis, we note that God blesses creatures \u201cBe fruitful and multiply.\u201d Rashi confirms the importance of bounty to the core meaning of blessing: \u201cEvery blessing in scripture is a term of increase.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Later, when God and Abram first meet, God promises: \u201cI will bless you; I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you\u201d (Genesis 12:2-3). In other words, God blesses Abram, then gives him, and his descendants, the responsibility of sharing that bounty with others.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Indeed, people can bless other people, and be beneficent with the resources, tangible and intangible, at their disposal. But how can a person bless God?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The difficulty in identifying what people can give God, and opposition to the idea that God might be a passive recipient, led some commentators to contend that \u201c<\/span>barech<\/span><\/em>\u201d has multiple meanings. People can offer God nothing but praise and thanksgiving.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch (Germany, 1808-1888) objected strongly to that position:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

If a person is active in blessing God, then God must be \u200eblessed in a passive sense, receiving a blessing from a person, one cannot get away from it. \u200eAnd why should we try to get away from it? At the moment that God made the fulfillment of God\u2019s Will on earth dependent on the free decision of humans, God said to them\u200e, \u201cBless me!\u201d Promote my goals, keep My commandments, do My will; bless my work because completion of it on earth depends on you\u201d (on Genesis 9:26).\u200e<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The resource that people can provide for God, and thereby bless God is <\/span>the ability to actively engage this world<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Hirsch\u2019s younger colleague, Rabbi David Zvi Hoffman (in <\/span>Al Hatefillah<\/span><\/em>), notes that the key verse for understanding how people can bless God is Deuteronomy 10:12, \u201cNow, Israel, what does the Eternal your God demand of you? Only this: to revere the Eternal your God, to walk only in God\u2019s paths, to love God, and to serve the Eternal your God with all your heart and soul.\u201d The verse combines inner traits, reverence and love, and action, \u201cwalking in God\u2019s ways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Walking in God\u2019s ways according to the Babylonian Talmud (Sotah 14a), is exemplified by dressing the naked, visiting the sick and burying the dead; acts that God did for Adam and Eve, Abraham, and Moses but now leaves to humanity.\u00a0 People can bless God through their actions in this world.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Hoffman further emphasizes: \u201cThe blessing expresses not only an ambition but also a commitment on our part to advance God\u2019s \u200esovereignty on earth.\u201d By making and meeting a commitment to act with loving kindness in this world, people can indeed \u201cbless God.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":88313,"alt":"","title":"ps103-bless","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless.jpg","width":1920,"height":829,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-300x130.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":130,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-768x332.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":332,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-1024x442.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":442,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":663,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":829,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-1200x518.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":518,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-973x420.jpg","home_baner-width":973,"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":"Blessing God","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Through a commitment to act with loving kindness in this world, people can \u201cbless God\u201d","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":88313,"alt":"","title":"ps103-bless","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless.jpg","width":1920,"height":829,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-300x130.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":130,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-768x332.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":332,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-1024x442.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":442,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":663,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":829,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-1200x518.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":518,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ps103-bless-973x420.jpg","home_baner-width":973,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"I 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treasure-trove of meanings, from cattle to chosenness to capabilities\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

In Chapter 29 of 1 Chronicles, we read King David\u2019s final speech to the people. He proclaims Solomon as his successor and announces that Solomon will be the one to build the Temple. David testifies that he has given much of his own wealth toward the building of the Temple:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u00a0\u201cI have spared no effort to lay up for the House of my God gold for golden objects, silver for silver, copper for copper, iron for iron, wood for wooden, onyx-stone and inlay-stone, stone of antimony and variegated colors\u2014every kind of precious stone and much marble. Besides, out of my solicitude for the House of my God, I gave over my private hoard of gold and silver to the House of my God\u2014in addition to all that I laid aside for the holy House.\u201d (1 Chronicles 29:2-3)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The word here translated as \u201choard\u201d (other translations offer \u201ctreasure.\u201d) is an interesting one. It is the Hebrew word <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>, and it has had many meanings over the years.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The original meaning of <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>\u00a0was probably \u201cherd of cattle.\u201d From there it came to mean \u201cpossesion.\u201d Other words in Hebrew that connect animals and property include <\/span>mikneh<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u2013 \u201ccattle\u201d \/ <\/span>kanah<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u2013 \u201cpurchase\u201d and <\/span>rechesh<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u2013 <\/span><\/i>\u201cteam of horses\u201d \/ <\/span>rechush<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u2013 \u201cproperty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the Torah, Israel is described as God\u2019s <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>\u00a0(e.g., Exodus 19:5 and Deuteronomy 7:6). While it clearly indicates a close relationship between God and Israel, ultimately it indicates that the nation is His property. In the biblical context, <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>does not imply any inherent advantages or positive traits.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From the more general sense of \u201cproperty,\u201d it came to mean \u201cproperty that one acquires for oneself\u201d \u2013 i.e., \u201ctreasure.\u201d Then this sense of \"treasure\" was expanded beyond the sense of property, and came to mean something \"dear\" to someone. A person could now be a <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>to someone else.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the Jewish prayers, some of these meanings were combined. In them, Israel is described as a <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cdear treasured nation\u201d or \u201cdear possession.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In Medieval Hebrew, for example in the writings of Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>\u00a0came to mean something of great importance, and particularly something \u201cselect\u201d or \u201cchosen.\u201d\u00a0 Special people were also known as <\/span>yechidei segula<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

At this time, <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>\u00a0also came to mean a special, characteristic feature \u2013 a feature \u201cpossessed\u201d by an individual. And then later, it began to specifically refer to a \u201cpositive characteristic,\u201d particularly those found in plants for healing purposes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From this particular usage in medicine, the meaning expanded to the supernatural and magical. A <\/span>segula<\/span><\/em>, in this context, is a kind of charm or ritual, which would bring good fortune or protect from harm.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And lastly, when the Jewish world became more secularized, the belief in magical <\/span>segulot<\/span><\/em>\u00a0faded, but the word remained. Once a <\/span>segula <\/span><\/i>had magical abilities, but without that belief, it just became an ability. We see this in the verb form. If a person is <\/span>mesugal<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>he is able or capable (of performing an action).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That\u2019s quite a treasure trove of meanings!<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":94680,"alt":"","title":"job22-treasure chest","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest.jpg","width":1920,"height":1743,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-300x272.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":272,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-768x697.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":697,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-1024x930.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":930,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1394,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1743,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-1200x1089.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1089,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-463x420.jpg","home_baner-width":463,"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 Word \u2018Segula\u2019","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A treasure-trove of meanings, from cattle to chosenness to capabilities","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":94680,"alt":"","title":"job22-treasure chest","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest.jpg","width":1920,"height":1743,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-300x272.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":272,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-768x697.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":697,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-1024x930.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":930,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1394,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1743,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-1200x1089.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1089,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/job22-treasure-chest-463x420.jpg","home_baner-width":463,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"I Chronicles","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"893","date":"20290130","wall_id":"893"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":6,"id":"99895","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Solomon\u2019s Unifying Power ","post_title":"Solomon\u2019s Unifying Power","slug":"solomons-unifying-power","old_id":"99895","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":99130,"post_title":"Sandra Lilienthal","slug":"sandra-lilienthal","old_id":"99130","first_name":"Sandra ","last_name":"Lilienthal ","description":"Dr. Sandra Lilienthal is an independent adult educator in South Florida. Besides her many weekly classes, she is a frequent speaker at Jewish education conferences, synagogues and other Jewish organizations. 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The second book of Chronicles picks up from where the first book had ended. (In fact, the separation of the book into two did not originate with Jews and Chronicles counts as one book among the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible.) It opens with King Solomon beginning to reign over the people of Israel. It was under Solomon that the Israelites were united and it was under Solomon that the Temple of God was built, two events that are linked more than can initially be perceived. The destruction of both the first and second Temples is attributed to the disunity of the Jewish people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I would, however, like to focus on the Biblical version of the genie story: God comes to Solomon and tells him he can request anything he wants. One wish and poof, it will happen. Before asking for anything, Solomon thanks God for the kindness done to his father David and only then he asks for something \u2013 wisdom. And why does he want wisdom? Not for his own sake, but so that he can come before the people and judge them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Solomon could have asked for wealth, for power, for long life; he could have requested peace. But he asked for wisdom (and ends up being granted all the other things as well). What is fascinating is the realization of a political leader that he or she is there to serve the people, not the other way around; that in order to effectively lead the people he or she needs wisdom, not power, not an army, not a pen to sign decrees. It might be exactly because of Solomon\u2019s wisdom, tested shortly after through the story of the two prostitutes who are disputing a surviving newborn, that he is able to unite the tribes into one kingdom and he is able to bring all together, a community which \u2013 despite and because of its internal differences \u2013 is able to unite around a vision of a nation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Politicians around the world could learn from Solomon. Jewish community leaders could learn from Solomon. And Jews around the world could learn from Solomon. We have many internal differences \u2013 many ways we label ourselves and each other, and others who dislike any labels at all. Perhaps there are lessons we can take from the wise king in confronting the challenges that face us all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59741,"alt":"","title":"2sam3-unity","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"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":"Solomon\u2019s Unifying Power","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A lesson in confronting internal differences\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59741,"alt":"","title":"2sam3-unity","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"II Chronicles","chapter":"1","chapter_main_number":"894","date":"20290131","wall_id":"894"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":7,"id":"99938","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"From Tabernacle To First Temple To Second Temple ","post_title":"From Tabernacle To First Temple To Second Temple","slug":"from-tabernacle-to-first-temple-to-second-temple","old_id":"99938","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":94870,"post_title":"Ilana Stein","slug":"ilana-stein","old_id":"94870","first_name":"Ilana ","last_name":"Stein","description":"With degrees in Nature Conservation and English, and an MA in Environmental Jewish Education, Ilana works as a writer for conservation and ecotourism entities in southern Africa and around the world, and lectures about the relationship between Judaism, nature and the planet. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":99710,"alt":"","title":"Ilana Stein","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","width":325,"height":319,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein-300x294.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":294,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","medium_large-width":325,"medium_large-height":319,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","large-width":325,"large-height":319,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","1536x1536-width":325,"1536x1536-height":319,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","2048x2048-width":325,"2048x2048-height":319,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","post_full_size-width":325,"post_full_size-height":319,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ilana-Stein.jpg","home_baner-width":325,"home_baner-height":319}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"895","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The lines are drawn and the connections made\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The aims of the Chronicler have been fairly clear in how he has chosen what to keep and what to leave out from the narratives of Samuel and Kings. These include the greatness of David and a strong focus on the importance of the Temple. Another is that of morale building \u2013 the Chronicler attempts to assure his audience, the Jews living in the vassal province of Yahud, that they are part of a glorious history that began with Adam and continued to that day, ensuring that they see themselves as links in a chain in the following ways:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  1. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Mention their names or their clan names in the lists.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Focus on the kingdom from which the majority probably come from \u2013 that of Judah. Hence in Second Chronicles any mention of the Kingdom of Israel is only when it coincides with the Kingdom of Judah.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Using literary elements, he constantly refers back to parts of other works in Tanach so as to make his audience aware of the connections.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    The first we have already seen; the second we will see as we go through 2 Chronicles. The third comes up in this chapter.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Solomon asks his father\u2019s ally, Huram (Hiram) of Tyre, to send a craftsman who can \u201cwork in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue yarn, and who knows how to engrave\u2026\u201d (6).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Huram sends him someone of the same name: \u201cNow I am sending you a skilful and intelligent man, my master Huram, the son of a Danite woman, his father a Tyrian. He is skilled at working in gold, silver, bronze\u2026\u201d (12-13).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    When compared to the same point in 1 Kings 7, there are a few changes, but the most striking is that the craftsman\u2019s father comes from the tribe of Naftali: He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father had been a Tyrian, a coppersmith. He was endowed with skill, ability, and talent for executing all work in bronze. (14)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    The obvious question is why mention Dan here instead of Naftali, and the mother\u2019s roots instead of the father\u2019s?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Pseudo-Rashi points to the building of the Tabernacle in Exodus, where the same wording is used \u201cskilled in working in\u2026\u201d and where there is a partnership of Bezalel of Judah, (38:23): \u201cAnd with him was Ahaliav the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan.\u201d By making use of the craftsman\u2019s mother\u2019s Danite ancestry \u2013 although tribes don\u2019t go according to the female line usually \u2013 the Chronicler connects the building of the Temple back to the building of the Tabernacle, thus ensuring that the lines of history are very strong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    By connecting the First Temple back all the way to Sinai, the Chronicler seeks to assure his audience that, despite its humble construction, the Second Temple follows the First, which in turn derives from the laws of the Torah.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":43233,"alt":"","title":"Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels.jpg","width":672,"height":1049,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels-192x300.jpg","medium-width":192,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels-656x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":656,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels-656x1024.jpg","large-width":656,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels.jpg","1536x1536-width":672,"1536x1536-height":1049,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels.jpg","2048x2048-width":672,"2048x2048-height":1049,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels.jpg","post_full_size-width":672,"post_full_size-height":1049,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Ex31-The_Erection_of_the_Tabernacle_and_the_Sacred_Vessels-269x420.jpg","home_baner-width":269,"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":"From 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    Anyone familiar with the Shabbat morning liturgy might well recognize the rabbinic homily: \u201cScholars increase peace in the world, as it is written, \u2018All your sons are instructed by God.\u2019 Do not read it as \u2018your sons\u2019 (<\/span>banayikh<\/span><\/em>) but \u2018your builders\u2019 (<\/span>bonayikh<\/span><\/em>).\u201d Simply speaking, it is a recognition of the constructive role that scholarship has always played in Jewish society. A verse in our chapter leads to a slightly more literal interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Solomon wrote to Hiram, King of Tyre, requesting that he supply him with cedar trees as he had supplied them to David to construct his palace. In explanation of the quantity and quality of lumber he required, Solomon wrote: \u201cI intend to build a House for the name of the L<\/span>ORD<\/span> my God; I will dedicate it to Him for making incense offering of sweet spices in His honor, for the regular rows of bread, and for the morning and evening burnt offerings on sabbaths, new moons, and festivals\u201d (3). As though anticipating that Hiram might reply, why not build something smaller or more temporary, Solomon added: \u201cas is Israel\u2019s eternal duty\u201d (ibid), implying that it was intended to stand for all eternity, so it needs to be good and strong.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Radak, after delivering this matter of fact (<\/span>p\u2019shat<\/span><\/em>) interpretation, added:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Our Sages sermonized that this refers to scholars who engage in the study of the laws of the Temple service (`<\/em><\/span>avodah<\/span><\/em>) whom Scripture considers as though the Temple was rebuilt in their days.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    In answer to the question: \u201cWhat is greater, study or practice?\u201d Rabbi Akiva replied: \u201cStudy is greater because it leads to practice\u201d (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 2). Were the study of the laws of the Temple to be discontinued on the grounds that they are currently irrelevant, we would likely miss the opportunity to rebuild it if it were offered. 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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":"895","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Chronicles fills in some of the gaps that Kings left for us\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

    Chapter 2 of 2 Chronicles recounts the same story as Chapter 5 of 1 Kings. Solomon is prepared to build the Temple, but he needs more craftsmen and more timber. He contacts his father's ally to the north- the king of Tyre. The content of this conversation varies widely between the two books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    In Kings, Hiram first sends a delegation to Solomon, and then Solomon requests assistance with the Temple. In Chronicles, Solomon approaches Hiram. In Kings, Solomon references the fact that David was not able to build the Temple. In Chronicles, Solomon references Hiram's help in building David's palace and then mentions the Temple. In Chronicles, Solomon provides much more detail about the Temple- the it will be large because God is great, and he even summarizes the holiday and daily service to be performed. None of this is in Kings. In Kings, Hiram simply sends goods down. In Chronicles, Solomon also asks for special craftsmen to complement the ones prepared by David. Chronicles also mentions that Hiram tells Solomon that he is sending materials for Solomon to build the Temple and a palace. That fact is omitted in Kings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

    Looking at the differences between the two chapters, it is unclear why some of these facts are included in one book and not the other. It does not fully fit the general rule that Chronicles will try to shed a better light on the kings of Judah versus the more independent narrative of Kings. Perhaps the author of Chronicles simply had access to a different account of the story. This allowed the author to provide more context and detail that was not available in Kings. That seems to be the main difference here- more facts, as opposed to some sort of thematic message as we saw often in Chronicles I.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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