This Shabbos, before the Mussaf service, we will bless the new month of Iyar and announce that Rosh Chodesh will be Sunday and Monday. When Rosh Chodesh falls out on a Sunday a special Haftorah which opens with the words, “Tomorrow is the Chodesh,” is read.
Before describing what the Haftorah deals with, an introduction is essential.
G-d instructed in the Torah that when the nation asks for a king it is a Mitzvah to appoint a king. And the Torah details the laws concerning the suitability of the king and the various laws associated with the king.
In the first Book of the Prophet Shmuel/Samuel, it describes how the elders of the Jewish people approached Shmuel with their desire to have a king appointed over Israel.
At first, this didn’t sit well with Shmuel, but G-d spoke to Shmuel and instructed him to appoint a king.
G-d told Shmuel that Shaul, the son of Kish of the tribe of Binyamin, was to be chosen king. Shaul, who was pure and humble, demurred, explaining he wasn’t fit because he was from the youngest tribe. Shmuel finally convinced Shaul to take the position and anointed him as king over Israel.
At a certain point, Shmuel the Prophet instructed King Shaul to wage war against our great nemesis, the nation of Amalek, and destroy every vestige of them. He was not to have pity on any human or livestock, in fulfillment of the Torah command to destroy the remembrance of Amalek.
Shaul proceeded as instructed, except that he had compassion on Amalek’s king, Agag, and did not immediately kill him; rather, he imprisoned him. He also retained some of their livestock intending to offer the animals as sacrifices to G-d. When Shmuel returned and heard that the animals were still alive he chastised Shaul for not listening to G-d’s command. Agag was able to have descendants many of whom became our haters and oppressors. Shmuel then told Shaul that because of this he would lose the position of king, and it would be given to someone more worthy.
Shaul still functioned in the capacity of king, without the official title. The Medrash tells us that the king’s name, Shaul, which means borrow, reflects on his ‘borrowed’ time as king.
G-d then communicated to Shmuel to proceed to Yishai to anoint one of his sons. The eighth and youngest son was Dovid/David. Although he was the most unlikely to be chosen, G-d instructed Shmuel to anoint him as king with the special sacred oil.
At the same time that the spirit of G-d rested on Dovid, it was taken from Shaul, causing him to become depressed and paranoid. Dovid, who was young, handsome and musical, was asked to play music for Shaul to lift his spirits. Without even Shaul knowing that Dovid was his successor, he began to become jealous of him, and wished to have him eliminated in a covert way.
When the Jews were battling the Philistines and the great warrior Golias – Goliath debased the Jewish people, Shaul offered his daughter in marriage to the one who defeats Golias.
Dovid shot a rock and it hit the well armored Golias between his eyes and he collapsed. Dovid then killed him.
Dovid married Michal the younger daughter of Shaul. Even so, Shaul actively sought to kill Dovid.
Shaul tried to employ his son Yonoson to help him pursue Dovid. However, despite his father’s hatred towards Dovid, Yonoson and Dovid were the best and dearest of friends. Yonoson was not selfish, he spared and cared for Dovid, even though he knew that Dovid would be the next king, and that he himself would not succeed his father as king.
The Haftorah begins with Yonoson informing Dovid that the next day would be Rosh Chodesh and that Shaul would be making a feast for Rosh Chodesh. Yonason told Dovid that Shaul was certain to ask his son Yonoson why Dovid’s seat is empty. The Haftorah describes a code whereby Yonason would inform Dovid, who was hiding, if he was safe, or he should run for his life from Shaul.
Yonoson indicated that indeed his father was out to kill Dovid and Dovid fled for his life.
Over Pesach I came across that following inspirational idea.
When our forefather Yaacov dispensed his blessings to his children, he indicated that the monarchy would emerge from the tribe of Yehudah – the tribe which Dovid belonged to.
Why is it that Shaul, who was a member of tribe of Binyamin, merited to be the first king?
The answer given is that when the Jews were at the banks of the Red Sea and were stuck between the sea and the Egyptian army, the tribe of Binyamin were the first to risk their lives by jumping into the raging waters before they split. They displayed extraordinary leadership and belief in G-d, relying on Him to save them even before the miracle was performed.
Because the tribe of Binyamin exhibited such strength in leadership and belief in the Almighty’s Hand, a descendant of theirs, Shaul became the first king of Israel.
There are times when each of us are faced with challenges. When we take the courage and strength to place our trust in the Almighty and in His word, He bestows rewards on us and our family in most extraordinary ways!
Our hearts and prayers go out to the grieving family of Lori Gilbert-Kaye who was murdered in the Chabad of Poway synagogue attack on Shabbos the last day of Pesach. We wish healing to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and strength to the entire congregation.
At Lori’s funeral her husband spoke words filled with belief in G-d and expressing the purpose of a Jew serving G-d. He shared how his wife sanctified G-d every day through her devotion and acts of goodness, and how she sanctified her life when she was murdered as a Jew.
Dr. Kaye’s words were broadcast throughout the world – and he made a Kiddush Hashem – sanctified G-d’s name by beautifully portraying what and who we are all about!
