Comments on the Beginning of Sefer Yehoshua (1-4)
If one mentions sefer Yehoshua the first thing that comes to mind is conquest. Namely, after all the promises of Hashem to lead Bnei Yisrael into the holy land the time has finally arrived for action. But if we examine the beginning chapters we see a totally different picture emerging.
In the very first perek, Yehoshua is told not to abandon the Torah, and meditate upon it day and night. If the only theme of the sefer was war, fighting and conquest why stipulate the importance of Torah study? Clearly, the mandate of the Torah to conquer the land and remain there permanently had to be based on the fundamentals of the religion itself. The Rav z’tl comments in his sefer 5 drashot that all Jews had a share in building the modern state of Israel. Many gave their lives and made the supreme sacrifice in order that future generations could enjoy the benefits of a state. Nonetheless, writes the Rav it is absolutely unthinkable that we could have a state that was not based on the Torah. Otherwise we would be founding a state or country like all other countries with nothing unusual guiding it into the future. Therefore, Hashem first starts the process of building and conquering with Torah-without it there would be no purpose in crossing over the Jordan and fighting.
Furthermore, the actual crossing of the Jordan on the 10th of Nisan corresponds to the exact date when Bnei Yisrael took the lambs from the Egyptians and prepared for the very first Pesach sacrifice and family meal plan. It would seem to me that this was not just a coincidence, but rather a clear statement that just like the taking of the lamb required Mesirut Nefesh so, too, the conquering of the land would as well. The 31 nation-states in Canaan were not planning to roll over without a fight.
The nationwide brit milah also corresponds to the similar one that took place (although not stated in the Torah itself) before the first Pesach. Entering into a brit, the very first mitzvah commanded of Avraham, is the permanent sign between us and Hashem-it connects us for eternity to a value system so different than the rest of the world!
Lastly, crossing over the Jordan is also a miracle similar to the crossing of the Red Sea. But this time we are told that the Kohanim lead the nation with the holy ark. What message can be drawn from these facts? Here again Hashem is sending a clear message to the nation that their task and mission is unique. They are lead by Kohanim whose job it is to be the mediators between Hashem and the people, and to bring them close to the Torah. Pirkei Avot states that we should be like the students of Aharon-loving and pursuing peace , loving people and bringing them closer to the Torah. Therefore, the ark must go before the nation to demonstrate this exact point. The ark in which the tablets rest is symbolic of a nation connected to an eternal voice that tells them never to abandon the faith of their forefathers, and that by fulfilling it they will succeed in their new task.
Posted in Overviews, Yehoshua - Joshua by Rav Zalman Eisenstock on January 31, 2007 | 2 Comments
Yehoshua 5 - Summary
(Text) - After the nations of Canaan heard how the God of Hebrews split the Jordan River, “their hearts melted” and they began to fear their upcoming defeat. Meanwhile, back in the Hebrews’ camp, Hashem commanded Yehoshua to make a Brit Milah for all of B’nei Yisrael. While B’nei Yisrael were traveling in the desert, it was too dangerous to perform a Brit Milah, and as a result the entire new generation of Jews were uncircumcised. Just like Hashem commanded Yehoshua circumcised the nation. Immediately after Hashem tells Yehoshua the famous line “I have removed the disgrace of Egypt from upon you” and they named the place Gilgal.
Conveniently right after the nations’ collection Brit Milah, it was Pesach. Since they were all now circumcised, the nation was able to partake in the eating of the korban pesach (Passover lamb offering). In addition, now that B’nei Yisrael were outside the desert and were inside Eretz Caanan there was no need for Hashem to send the manna and the nation ate from the land.
At the end of the Perek, Yehoshua sees an angel next to him with a sword in his hand. Yehoshua doesn’t recognize him and asks him if he is an enemy or ally. After the mal’ach reveals his identity, Yehoshua bows down and asks what he needs. The mal’ach replies take your shoes off because the ground you stand on is holy.”
Posted in Chapter 05, Summaries, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 30, 2007 | No Comments
Yehoshua 5 - Review Questions
- What was the reaction of the other nations upon hearing the miracle of the splitting of the Jordan River?
- Now that the Jewish nation entered the Land of Israel, what was the first thing that Yehoshua was commanded to do?
- What did Hashem stop bringing to B’nei Yisrael now that they entered Israel?
- Why weren’t B’nei Yisrael already circumcised?
- Why was the name of the place they camped in called Gilgal?
- What time of year was it when these events took place?
- Upon seeing the mal’ach (angel) what does Yehoshua ask? What does the mal’ach tell Yehoshua to do and why?
Posted in Chapter 05, Review Questions, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 30, 2007 | No Comments
Yehoshua 5 - Points of Interest
- If the nations of Canaan knew Israel was coming, why didn’t they wait at the border and deny their entrance?
- Notice the parallel with the revelation of the ma’lach (angel) to Yehoshua at the end of the perek to the revelation to Moshe in Parashat Shemot
- What is the significance of the story of the revelation of the ma’lach to Yehoshua at the end of the perek (13-15)? It seems so vague and off the topic.
- What does it mean that Hashem has now removed the disgrace of Egypt? What was this disgrace how was it removed? And why does it say Hashem removed it? after all Yehoshua was the mohel!
- In the phrase “ad tom kol hagoy” (עד תם כל הגוי - 6), the word goy is used describing Bene Yisrael. Why is this? Usually this word is reserved for describing non Jewish nations.
- What was the specific holy ground that Yehoshua was standing on?
- Why did the malach have a sword in his hand?
- In verse 11 it says they ate the matza while passing the land…on “this very day” (בעצם היום הזה). What does this phrase mean?
Posted in Chapter 05, Points of Interest, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 30, 2007 | No Comments
Yehoshua (Joshua) the Prophet and Judge
Yehoshua bin Nun (יהושע בן נון) was from the tribe of Efraim. According to the book יפה מהישועה by Rabeinu Nissim Gaon, the name “Nun” comes from the miraculous event where Yehoshua was swallowed by a fish and was subsequently saved, and Pharoah took him and raised Yehoshua in his household. The word “nun” is Aramaic for fish. His original name was Hoshea - the leading letter yud was added to his names during the incident of the spies.
He was the main student of Moshe Rabbeinu in the desert, and in merit of his loyalty and steadfastness to his teacher, he received the Torah directly from Moshe after Mt. Sinai.
Yehoshua was the leader of the Jewish nation after the death of Moshe. His ascent to this position coincided with the entrance of the Children of Israel into the Land of Israel (Canaan). He led his people in war against 31 Canaanite kings who were in the Land, and defeated all of them.
According to Midrash, Yehoshua married Rachav (the former innkeeper in Yericho who helped the spies that Yehoshua sent to spy on the city), and among their descendents are eight prophets, including Yirmiyahu and Chuldah the prophetess.
Before his death, Yehoshua divided the conquered land among the twelve tribes of Israel, according to divine lottery. He judged and led the Jewish nation for 28 years, before his death at the age of 110. Yehoshua bin Nun was buried in Timnat Cheres on Mt. Efraim, among the holdings of his tribe.
(Based on an exerpt from Tanach Nechmad L’Mareh)
Posted in Nevi'im, Personalities, Yehoshua - Joshua by Yaakov Ellis on January 29, 2007 | No Comments
Yehoshua 4 - Summary
(Text) - After Bnei Yisrael crossed the Jordan, Yehoshua commanded one man for each tribe to collect the twelve stones from the River where the Kohanim stood. Then Yehoshua proclaimed that these stones will be a symbol to the future generations that the waters of the Jordan split in front of G-d’s aron when Bnei Yisrael crossed the Jordan. After the entire nation finished crossing, and the symbolic rocks were taken, the carriers of the Aron went up from the water. immediately, the two and ½ tribes that were to fight on the front lines assembled in front of the nation in preparation for the capture of Jericho. Most importantly, just as Hashem promised, Yehoshua’s stature grew in the eyes of the nation, who now viewed him as they viewed their past leader, Moshe.
Posted in Chapter 04, Summaries, Yehoshua - Joshua by Samuel Calvo on January 29, 2007 | No Comments